Warning! Spoilers For 1923 Season 2
In1923season 2, it’s actually 1924. The series’ title was derived from the show’s first chapter, with1923season 1’s storytaking place in the title year. However, in1923season 2, some time has passed since theYellowstoneprequel’s first season. While it’s not clear how much time, exactly, the unforgiving winter the Dutton family faces in1923season 2 gives us a pretty good idea. The brutal weather has brought awful circumstances for Jacob (Helen Mirren) and Cara Dutton’s (Helen Mirren) family, officially affectingSpencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar)as he makes his way home on the train.
Winter is our biggest hint, buta few clues indirectly speak to how much time has passed in1923.The grim nature of the cold and wilderness has been a theme for1923season 2, and we see that withElizabeth Strafford’s (Michelle Randolph) wolf bite, and Alexandra Dutton’s (Julia Schlaepfer) predicament in1923season 2, episode 6’s ending. While she experiences a more tepid climate, Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) also faces unbearable circumstances. Understanding the complete timeline of1923’s Prohibition-era story explains just how long the Crow student has been on the run.
When Does 1923 Season 1 Happen?
1923 Season 1 Happens In The Title Year
To understand where1923’s characterslanded in season 2, it’s essential to know when the story began. We can say with some certainty that1923season 1 happened at the end of the titular year, sometime around late summer or early autumn in Montana. When1923begins, Elizabeth Strafford wears short-hemmed, short-sleeved summer dresses, indicating Montana is warm enough to go without an extra layer.The characters experience the spoils of summer, but just for a moment, since the weather cools off as the plot heats up.
All 7 Major Character Deaths In 1923 Season 2’s Bloodbath Episode 6 Explained
1923 season 2’s penultimate episode was packed with bloodshed. Here’s every character who died in season 2, episode 6, and how it happened.
As1923season 1 progresses, the temperature falls, and we see that reflected in the scenery and characters’ behavior. By1923season 1, episode 4, “War and the Turquoise Tide,” people began to layer. While Cara Dutton doesn’t yet sport a coat when she goes to Bozeman to take Jacob’s place at the Livestock Association meeting, she wears a heavier, darker dress. Likewise, Elizabeth Strafford starts to wear sweaters as the season progresses. In1923episode 4, Jack’s wife wears a long, thick cardigan and boots, so we can assumesummer is turning into fall.
Spencer Dutton tells another traveler that Montana only has three seasons: July, August, and winter.
It’s natural to assume thatseason 1 of the prequel takes place in 1923. We also witness the dog days of summer turn to autumn. Therefore,1923seemingly takes place mid-year. Furthermore, in1923season 2, episode 6, “The Mountain Teeth of Monsters,” Spencer Dutton tells another traveler that Montana only has three seasons: July, August, and winter. Taking Spencer’s word for it,1923had to start sometime in either July or August. However, by1923season 1’s finale, snow moves into Montana, covering the ground and dusting the mountains as Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) arrives with daunting news.
Evidence 1923 Season 2 Is Really Winter 1924
It’s A New Year In 1923 Season 2
Following the first season,1923season 2 opens with winter, though it isn’t initially clear when.Elsa Dutton’s narrationfor1923season 2’s premiere, titled “The Killing Season,” focuses extensively on the unforgiving nature of the season. At the end, Elsa says the following:“Winter is the killing season. When the hunters among us seek out the weak, the foolish. Only the very strongest of nature’s creatures survive it. Winter is the time of the wolf. The time of the lion. When all nature’s failures become a meal. Then spring brings new life. And God tries again.”
Elizabeth Isn’t Allowed To Be Like 1883’s Elsa & 1923 Is Lesser For It
There’s a vital difference between Elizabeth Strafford and Elsa Dutton, the young Duttons in Taylor Sheridan’s prequels, causing Elizabeth’s struggle.
However, we could assume that1923season 2 still takes place in the title’s year, later in the calendar, if it weren’t for a couple of clues that the calendar year had started anew. Initially,the snow and blizzards could as easily indicate that it’s Decemberas January, but as some1923characters near the ranch, other supporting players begin to talk of the spring. This is most obvious inSpencer and Alex’s train journeys. Supporting characters in their quests comment about the weather, further piecing together how much time has passed since1923season 1.
Spring approaches in 1923 season 2. We can therefore assume that it’s a new year, with the seasons entering a fresh cycle.
In1923season 2, episode 5, “Only Gunshots to Guide Us,” Alex is baffled that a snowdrift has stopped her train. As she speaks with the ticket teller at the train station in Chicago, who tells her a snowdrift has canceled her connecting train to Fargo, Alex remarks that it’s spring. The teller informs the intrepid traveler that while it’s spring in Florida, it is winter in the country’s center until June. Therefore,while it isn’t yet warm, spring approaches in1923season 2. We can therefore assume that it’s a new year, with the seasons entering a fresh cycle.
Jack Dutton’s Shocking 1923 Fate Breaks A Popular Spencer & Alex Fan Theory
A Yellowstone fan theory about 1923’s characters was pretty convincing until 1923 season 2, episode 6, when a devastating development flipped it.
Another detail in1923seemingly confirms that it’s a new year,meaning1923season 2 is actually 1924. In1923season 1’s finale, Whitfield comes to the Yellowstone Ranch to inform Jacob that he paid his past-due taxes, presumably due at the end of the year. In1923season 2’s premiere, Sheriff William McDowell (Robert Patrick) tells Jacob to get his taxes paid. Dutton then reveals that he paid last year’s taxes, but he’s worried about the coming year. The detail indicates that1923’s characters have made it through 1923, and are moving forward into 1924.
Why 1923 Didn’t Change The Title Of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Prequel
Viewers Identify With 1923
Despite the change in year, Taylor Sheridan didn’t change the name of hisYellowstoneprequel. While the title year is technically incorrect after the year started over, it wouldn’t have made sense to change the moniker, sinceYellowstoneviewers already recognize the series under the name1923.While 1923 is technically in the show’s past in season 2, the title1923still stands to mark the period the Prohibition-era Dutton family existed in, indicating the year Jacob and Cara’s story began. Ultimately, the brand recognition was more important to Sheridan than being just-so about the date, which still gives viewers an idea of the period.
1923 Just Gave Harrison Ford Something Kevin Costner’s John Dutton Never Got In 5 Yellowstone Seasons
1923’s treatment of Jacob Dutton and his family makes John Dutton III’s death in Yellowstone even sadder, since he never got to have one thing.
Plus,1923’s title is more than an indicator of the time. After witnessing its valiant characters,the prequel’s title is tied to the lionhearted personalities who fill out its storyjust as much as the story’s starting year. Still, realizing that it’s 1924 gives viewers a more solid understanding of how much time has passed. Elizabeth and Alexandra are both expecting babies heading into1923season 2’s finale, and the timeline gives us a sense ofwhen a new pregnancy happened to Jack and Elizabeth. After1923ends, we may not see the Dutton family’s timeline resume until 1944.
When Will Yellowstone’s Timeline Pick Up After 1923 Season 2
Potentially 1944
After1923season 2, we probably won’t see its remaining characters for decades. Taylor Sheridan previously said that there would only be two chapters of1923,meaning the season 2 finale is the last we will see of the 1920s Dutton actors. TheYellowstonescreenwriter has also teased another prequel series titled1944,which would pick up with the Dutton family 20 years later, much like1923’s story did after1883.Regardless, there areYellowstonesagas in the modern era to look forward to, like Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) continuations, should1923be the last of the Dutton prequels.
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.
