Warning! SPOILERS For 1923 Season 2, Episode 7, “A Dream And A Memory”
Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer teased Alex Dutton’s comeback in1923- and it could genuinely work. In1923season 2’s finale, Alex Dutton meets her fate; Spencer’s wife dies of complications from hypothermia, caused by getting frostbite after being stranded on the side of the road in episode 6. Despite her husband serendipitously passing on the train and rescuing her from her harrowing predicament, the medical treatment she received wasn’t enough to save Alex’s life, and she opted to stay and comfort her baby rather than undergo amputation of her hand and legs.
Alex’s death adds to the list ofshocking Dutton family deaths, and hers is one of the saddest. Alex’s ending in1923pretty much effectively rules out more of Spencer and Alex’s romance, which was a highlight of1923season 1. Taylor Sheridan has teased a continuation ofYellowstonetitled1944,which would presumably pick up amid World War II. Spencer Dutton will most likely helm the prequel, though it’s unclear if Sklenar will be considered to reprise the role. It’s more likely that Schlaepfer joins the show, andBrandon Sklenar knows just how to include Alex in1944.
Brandon Sklenar & Julia Schlaepfer’s Alex Dutton Comeback Idea Is Crazy - But It Could Actually Work
Alex Could Come Back To Haunt Spencer In 1944
The prospect of including Alex in Sheridan’s nextYellowstoneprequel might seem far-fetched after her1923season 2 fate, but the idea could actually work, especially as Sklenar pitched it. In an interview withScreenRant,talking about the future of the franchise,Sklenar and Schlaepfer revealed their idea for Alex to come back as a ghostin1944.Sklenar revealed they wanted Alex to come back and haunt Spencer. He envisioned Alexandra interacting with Spencer in“the most beautiful way,”rather than in a spooky manner. Schlaepfer was mostly on board, noting Alex would have a few pranks for Spencer:
Brandon Sklenar: Right now, I’m just trying to lobby for Jules [Julia Schlaepfer] to be a ghost.
Julia Schlaepfer: Yeah, that’s our goal right now.
Sklenar: She can haunt Spencer in the most beautiful way. Not like a spooky, scary kind of way, but in a kind of fun way.
Schlaepfer: She’ll play a lot of pranks.
Sklenar: Yeah, a lot of pranks. A lot of whisper banter. But, yeah, I’d do it. I’d do it, for sure. If there was a 1944 [series], Spencer’s definitely alive. He’d be in his fifties, so I could just spend the next four months outside, and that’d probably help.
While it may seem idealistic to bring Alex back,Sheridan has incorporated belovedYellowstonecharacters after their deaths. For instance, Spencer’s sister returns to narrate1923after Elsa Dutton died in1883.The screenwriter could similarly bring Alex back, emulating Elsa’s omniscient presence. Furthermore, Spencer’s wife returns inSpencer and Alex’sTitanic-style ending, proving that Alex is not confined to her1923timeline in theYellowstoneuniverse. It would be wise to bring Alex back since, similarly to Elsa, Spencer’s wife endeared herself to fans, and they didn’t want to see her story end.
Brandon Sklenar & Julia Schlaepfer Should Return In Taylor Sheridan’s 1944
Spencer And Alex’s Actors Should Return To Their Roles
It wasn’t just Alex and Spencer’s stories that audiences loved. Schlaepfer and Sklenar’s performances as the star-crossed lovers were a standout for the franchise, so it makes sense to work the actors into the next prequel. Sklenar could get by playing Spencer in his 50s, changing some of his physical characteristics to appear a bit older. Sheridan likely has an older actor in mind for Spencer 20 years later, butSklenar’s comments confirm he’s open to continuing the part. Sklenar could also appear in flashbacks, explaining how things evolved as Spencer took ownership of theYellowstone Dutton Ranch.
1923’s Finale Time Jump Explained: How Long Spencer Dutton Lives
1923 season 2’s epic finale revealed the fate of Spencer Dutton and how long he ran the Yellowstone with a surprising time jump into another decade.
If1944opts to include Schlaepfer as Alexandra in some way, the story could preempt Alex and Spencer’s1923epilogue, setting up their ethereal connection. Alex died young, at age 23, and including her in1944could lean into her timelessness. The supernatural element, introducing Alex as a ghost or spirit, or memory, could even be a factor in Spencer successfully running the ranch through the Great Depression, leaning on his late wife’s memory for strength. While Alex and Spencer can’t star in their ownYellowstonespinoff now, at least Alex has the possibility of transcending her awful1923fate.
1923
Cast
1923 is a series following the Dutton family during the early twentieth century. It explores the challenges they face amidst pandemics, the end of Prohibition, historic drought, and the Great Depression, as they struggle to maintain their home in the mountain west.
