Warning! SPOILERS For 1923 Season 2, Episode 7, “A Dream And A Memory”
Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer) becomes just like Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) in1923season 2’s finale. Elsa is one of the first members of the Dutton family tree, introduced inYellowstone’s earliest prequel,1883.The story follows John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) ancestors as they make a northwest journey on the Oregon Trail from Texas to Montana, eventually settling in Paradise Valley, where they would establish theYellowstone Dutton Ranch. Elsa narrates her family’s journey, closing the beginning and end of each chapter. Her story is one of Taylor Sheridan’s best, but also one of his saddest tales.
1883concludes with Elsa’s death, passing away in her father, James Dutton’s (Tim McGraw), arms. The fearless, ambitious narrator, called“Lightning with the yellow hair”by her husband, Sam (Martin Sensmeier), therefore did not live to witness her brother, Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) story, which included fighting in World War I and eventually meeting his wife,Alexandra of Sussex, in Africa. The couple makes harrowing journeys after their separation at the end of1923season 1. After1923season 2’s finale,Alexandra and Spencer’s saga joins Elsa’sas one ofYellowstone’s saddest.
Alexandra Dutton Becomes Yellowstone’s New Elsa In 1923’s Finale
Alex’s Devastating 1923 Fate Matches Elsa Dutton’s 1883 Ending
In1923season 2, episode 7,Alexandra Dutton’s story comes to a dramatic and devastating conclusion. After making it to the edge of Montana with her friends, Paul (Augustus Prew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery), Alex was stranded in their motorcar on the side of the road. Alex’s friends froze to death. While it looked like her story could end the same way, Alex decided to fight for her life, eventually lighting the car on fire to flag down a passing train. Alex’s signal worked, alerting her husband, Spencer, who was on the passing locomotive, improbably yet serendipitously.
The Dutton Family’s Most Shocking Yellowstone Deaths (Including 1883 & 1923), Ranked
A history of death marks the Dutton family with tragedy, but some of the clan’s losses throughout the Yellowstone franchise are worse than others.
Despite reuniting with Spencer,Alex dies of hypothermia complications at the end of1923after delivering her baby prematurely at the hospital. The mother refuses to have her frostbitten limbs amputated, leaving Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) to raise her child. With her ill-fated conclusion, Alex’s fate adds to the list of shocking Dutton deaths, as she joins Elsa Dutton as another bright-spirited, light-haired character who would win overYellowstoneviewers’ hearts only to break them.Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph) wasn’t like Elsa in1923,but Alexandra had Elsa’s brave-hearted qualities. Unfortunately, Sheridan made Alex the new Elsa, fully recreating her story.
Alex & Spencer Were Always A Tragic Romance In 1923
1923 Is About Alex And Spencer As Star-Crossed Lovers
Alex’s death emboldens the couple’s story as star-crossed lovers. After they wed in1923season 1, episode 6, Spencer tells Alex that in his heart, he knew it was wrong to take her. Dutton tells her that everything up to that point felt like a sign from the universe that they weren’t meant to be together, noting thehorrible things that happened to Alex in1923.Still, Spencer says he dreamed the universe was wrong. Alex tells Spencer at the bow of the ship that the universe has“absolutely no say whatsoever,”remarking to him that his dream came true.
All 5 Major Character Deaths In 1923 Season 2’s Finale Explained
The war for the Yellowstone ignites in 1923 season 2’s finale, and it’s a bloodbath that results in casualties for the Duttons and their enemies.
However,Alex and Spencer’s love story in1923season 2confirms that Spencer’s intuition was right. Both Alex and Spencer experience horrible circumstances in the show’s second season, pushing their tragic love story further rather than allowing the couple to reunite.The end of1923confirms the couple was never meant to be together, with Alex dying in Spencer’s arms as her limbs experience necrosis. While I’m glad that Spencer and his wife at least reunited before the latter met her fate, I still couldn’t believe that Taylor Sheridan would make Alex’s ending that tragic after overcoming every obstacle she faced.
But Elsa And Sam Never Reunited
Alexandra and Spencer’s1923story repeats Elsa Dutton’s tragedy in1883,bringing even more resemblance to Alex and Elsa. While traveling through Comanche Territory with her family, Elsa meets a warrior named Sam. After competing in a horse race, Elsa and Sam fall in love, eventually deciding to wed and spend their lives together. However, Elsa’s family’s journey complicates her starting her life as an adult, and her mother, Margaret (Faith Hill), convinces her to complete the family’s trek to Oregon. Sadly,Elsa is shot with an infected arrow before the journey ends, barring the couple from their reunion.
At least Alex and Spencer reunited and said goodbye before it ended.
Alexandra and Spencer similarly wed in an impromptu ceremony, but are divided just as they begin to start their life together. The parallel stories make Alex’s sad saga even more comparable to Elsa’s story. At least Alex and Spencer reunited and said goodbye before it ended. Still, I preferred Elsa and Sam’s story, which was short-lived but had me hooked at every moment. Something about Alex and Spencer’s reunion felt rushed after we watched them struggle to be together. Still,Alex and Spencer’sTitanic-styleending in1923was redeeming, emulating Elsa meeting Sam in her version of heaven.
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.
