Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford looking at peace) in 1923 and Kevin Costner’s John Dutton (sad) in Yellowstone
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Warning: SPOILERS for 1923 Season 2’s Finale – “A Dream and a Memory”

Spencer finishes off the rest of Donald Whitfield’s (Timothy Dalton) and Banner Creighton’s (Jerome Flynn) men with an elephant gun, proving Dutton has what it takes to protect the ranch. Sadly, Spencer’s wife died after delivering their baby, John, opting not to undergo a life-saving procedure to have her necrotic legs and arm amputated. I was devastated by her death after all the horrible things that happened to Alex Dutton in 1923. Otherwise, Spencer’s transformation upon arriving in Montana was a satisfying conclusion. Furthermore, Spencer’s stepping up significantly impacted Jacob and Cara’s ending.

Jacob Dutton Passes The Yellowstone Ranch Down To Spencer In 1923’s Finale
Jacob Dutton Peacefully Retires In 1923 Season 2, Episode 7
After the war is over, Jacob Dutton passes the Yellowstone Ranch down to Spencer, unburdening himself from the duty of its protection. Spencer first left the ranch to fight in the Great War, and he stayed in Africa after that as a hunter for the Protectorate of Kenya. That said, upon returning, it’s clear that Spencer plans to stay. As Spencer prepares to run cattle up the mountain in one of the closing scenes of 1923, Jacob doesn’t opt to go with him, saying that he will stay on the porch and attend to simpler matters, like watching John Dutton.

Jacob’s peace in 1923’s finale is earned, considering all he has endured to protect the ranch. In 1894, after his brother, James Dutton (Tim McGraw) died, Jacob uprooted his life and moved to his brother’s ranch in Montana, assuming its stewardship and the guardianship of Margaret Dutton’s (Faith Hill) sons, Spencer and John, after he finds that Margaret, too, has died. To say Jacob had fought for the Yellowstone ranch would be an understatement, especially after the life-threatening injuries he endured in 1923 season 1. Therefore, Jacob’s passing the ranch to Spencer, restoring its succession, was an ideal end.

Why John Couldn’t Pass The Dutton Ranch Down In Yellowstone
John Dutton III Had No One To Pass The Ranch Down To
John’s respite is virtually non-existent, only ever seeing a glimmer of retirement.

Kayce never wanted to be involved in the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch’s operations, much less run it. Moreover, John says at one time that Kayce wasn’t ready. While John eventually persuades Kayce to run the ranch and take over as Livestock Commissioner, John’s respite is virtually non-existent, only ever seeing a glimmer of retirement. When Lynelle Perry (Wendy Moniz) tells John Dutton that she plans to run for the Senate, rather than continue as Governor of Montana in Yellowstone season 4, John forces himself to secure the role, increasing his duties rather than relinquishing them as he nears retirement age.

John Dutton’s Unfulfilled Achievement Worsens His Yellowstone Season 5 Death
John Dutton III Never Achieved His Peace In Yellowstone
Alex Dutton in 1923 season 2 finale

Related

1 Confusing Taylor Sheridan Line In 1923 Season 1 Tricked Me Into Believing Alex Dutton Would Live
1923 season 1 contains a line about Spencer Dutton that suggests Alex Dutton lives after season 2, but Taylor Sheridan had something else planned.

It was terrible that John died outside his family home, especially since he was adamant about staying there. John Dutton’s best quotes from Yellowstone prove that he was profoundly in tune with the wild land he protected and understood the value of his family’s land preservation legacy. However, John failed to adequately protect the ranch, and Kayce, as its owner, restored its stewardship to the Broken Rock Tribe, fulfilling Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prophecy in 1883. The ranch’s succession wasn’t as straightforward for John as it was for Jacob. However, the 1923 Dutton faced as many grave obstacles to protecting it.

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1923
ScreenRant logo
9/10

Release Date
2022 – 2025-00-00

Network
Paramount+

Showrunner
Taylor Sheridan

Directors
Guy Ferland

Writers
Taylor Sheridan
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.

Franchise(s)
Yellowstone

Main Genre
Western

Producers
Art Linson, Bob Yari, David Glasser, David Hutkin, John Linson, Ron Burkle, Taylor Sheridan, Ben Richardson, Ken Topolsky

Seasons
2

Story By
taylor sheridan

Streaming Service(s)
Paramount Plus
1923

Yellowstone