Lions, Wolves, and Winter Chaos: 1923 Season 2 Premiere Shakes Up the Dutton Ranch

In the opening scene of Season 2, Episode 1 of “1923,” titled “The Killing Season,” we find Spencer and Alex in a predicament, separated across the globe, while the Dutton family confronts various perilous creatures everywhere they go. (Please be advised: significant spoilers lie ahead!)

After quite some time, the much-anticipated new season of Yellowstone is finally here. Ever since the suspenseful finale of the first season left viewers wondering about the fate of the Dutton family’s iconic ranch, fans have been eagerly awaiting its continuation.

Besides addressing other queries, there are significant missing links in the Dutton family history too. However, the long wait has ended – Season 2 has arrived, and the Yellowstone spinoff is providing some much-anticipated answers for Jacob, Spencer, and their companions.

Here’s everything that went down in the premiere episode, and what it means for the new season.

Winter has arrived in 1923 Season 2 Episode 1

1923 returns, and what better place to begin than the Dutton Ranch? Winter’s grip has fallen, leaving Jacob, Cara, Jack, and Elizabeth powerless against the harshness of winter’s rule.

In Season 1, Donald Whitfield had agreed to cover the ranch’s taxes but required repayment within two years. To honor this obligation and keep him from seizing control, Jacob and Cara decided to sell a large portion of their cattle herd instead.

In a letter to Spencer, Cara informs him that the route to Bozeman has been blanketed with snow, causing them to spend most of the season at the lodge instead. (During dinner with Cara, Jacob, Jack, and Elizabeth, one can’t help but ponder how they while away their time. What on earth could these folks possibly discuss?)

I’m not in the best of places. They seem to struggle with butchering their livestock, so we’ve been surviving on hearty stews and hardened loaves. To top it off, Jack’s sporting a beard these days.

Where is John Dutton II in 1923? The Yellowstone prequel mystery explained

This morning, Jacob is traveling into town for a court case with Jack and plans to return the following day. However, as he leaves, he encounters a mountain lion lounging on his porch. He attempts to scare it off, but it swiftly departs before any harm can be done. (Interpretation left up to the reader’s imagination.)

Whitfield and Banner close in

At Donald Whitfield’s grand residence, it’s a chilling abode. A woman, bare and bathing, enters the scene, and he attempts to charm her by sharing an intriguing tidbit: the honeybee is more harmful than the rattlesnake – a detail he plans to employ in his struggle against the Duttons himself.

When the water in the tub becomes too warm, Whitfield instructs the lady to summon their “young girl” to join them. However, it transpires that this “girl” is actually a young woman who has been physically abused and is chained up in the hallway. The other woman escorts her inside, urging her to behave well so as to avoid any punishment.

Meanwhile, Banner Creighton, a servant to Whitfield, is basking in his newfound opulence. As he prepares to venture into town, his wife advises him against collaborating with Whitfield. However, he dismisses her caution, asserting that they could obtain all their dreams if he persists in his partnership with him.

Spencer makes his mark on an Italian ship

Following his arrest for the unfortunate demise of Alex’s former fiancée (in a duel, it should be noted), Spencer is currently employed on an Italian vessel as he strives to accumulate funds and devise a plan to return to America. During his coal-shoveling duties in the engine room, he encounters some difficulties in communicating with Luca, who is soon to become his friend.

That evening, within their private chambers, Spencer is abruptly jolted from sleep by peculiar sounds. Inquisitive, he rises to inspect the source, only to discover Luca being violently assaulted by a significantly larger individual. Witnessing this, Spencer triggers a confrontation with the man, who then pulls out a knife and instigates a struggle.

In a swift and decisive victory, Spencer overpowers his tormentor severely, using a belt as the weapon. Later, the captain intervenes to halt the altercation and orders Spencer to tidy up the spilled blood.

Teonna is still free (for now)

Next, we revisit the tale of Teonna. Father Renaud continues his pursuit, now joined by the strict Marshal Kent and his associate. Upon arriving at a Comanche encampment, they question the harmless inhabitants. However, the campers vehemently deny ever having encountered Teonna.

Upset, Kent takes drastic actions, seizing a child and threatening him with a firearm. Even Renaud disapproves of this behavior. As they journey onward, Kent recklessly charges his horse towards the child, possibly causing fatal harm.

I’m off on an adventure with my father, Runs His Horse, and Pete Plenty Clouds. My beloved, Pete, and I are deepening our bond, and while my dad advises me to take things slow, he acknowledges that I can consent to him proposing marriage. Meanwhile, rest assured, I’m safe and sound wherever I am.

In the game of woods and adventure, I dash into the forest to locate my buddy Pete, who’s off hunting. Once I find him, I decide it’s time to shed my attire. He tags along, leading us to a hidden nook, but just as we’re about to continue, we notice a solitary rider descending the hill. In a split second, Pete bolts out to snatch back my discarded garments, but alas, the rider catches sight of him instead.

Gladly, he’s a kind soul, inviting us to pitch our tents on that very spot – just remember the serpents lurking about. He even shares the exciting news that we’ve arrived in Texas, something we didn’t know until this moment. Upon Pete’s return, we share a heartfelt kiss with Teonna.

A new Dutton baby is on the way

After that, we move on to Sussex, England. Alexandra finds herself nearly unconscious due to depression, holed up in her room. However, when her closest companion Jennifer shows up, Alex shares the startling revelation: she’s carrying Spencer’s baby.

Her task is becoming increasingly pressing as she needs to journey to America in order to reconnect with the father of her forthcoming child. However, she faces difficulties because she’s currently shunned by society, and her family won’t provide the funds for her trip.

Alex persuades Jennifer to part ways with some jewelry from her bureau (which includes pieces that belong to an estate), suggesting they sell it informally for quick money. Initially resistant, Jennifer eventually agrees.

Overjoyed, Alex penned a letter to Spencer, expressing, “I’m unsure of the route or method I’ll use to reach you.” (She subsequently explains the specific route and method she plans to take: boarding a ship to New York, followed by a train ride to Montana.)

Spencer joins a fight club

On Spencer’s vessel, he returns to his quarters to discover a stack of letters on his pillow. These are from Luca, who is contemplating suicide by leaping overboard. However, Spencer manages to locate him and convinces him not to go through with it, thus strengthening their bond permanently.

In the engine room later, Luca is smitten with his new companion who fights lions (using the lion theme again). When Spencer shares his plan to return to Montana, Luca proposes that he starts challenging other crew members for wagers, as he could easily win and utilize the earnings to finance his journey home.

Last gaming session, back in my Montana hometown, Jack and I swung by our local hideaway, a speakeasy. There, I ran into ol’ Sheriff McDowell. We got talking about the new case brewing – it’s all about Zane and his missus Alice who were nabbed at the end of last season for breaking some matrimonial rules. To make things more complicated, while they managed to settle part of Whitfield’s two-year tax debt, this current year’s dues are still stacking up.

After getting back on Spencer’s ship, Luca is serving as his cheerleader. At dinner, he arranges a couple of fights for the Dutton hero, and he wins both with ease. By the end of the evening, he’s earned $420 (which is approximately $7,941.77 in today’s money according to an inflation calculator!).

Return of the mountain lion

Spencer now has the resources for his return trip home. Meanwhile, on the other side of the sea, Alex is readying herself for her voyage. Jennifer hands her the money she received from the jewels, but it’s not sufficient for a premium class ticket. Fortunately, Alex prefers the more economical “tourist class” option to dodge recognition by London’s high society.

Leaving each other, Jennifer hands over a diamond bracelet as a potential source of funds during their journey. With anticipation and positivity, Alex boards the vessel, looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead on their extended trip.

At Dutton Ranch, Elizabeth wakes up to a bright morning sun after months without it. Excitedly, she dashes outside to soak in the light. But when Cara steps out, she’s startled to see Elizabeth frozen with fear upon seeing the mountain lion on their porch once more.

Without delay, Cara grabs a gun and fires it, killing whatever was there. Stepping outdoors, she listens to the noises of wolves and various wildlife in the surrounding area.

Later, the voice of Elsa Dutton echoes, “Winter is a season for wolves and lions, a period where nature’s flaws serve as sustenance. But then comes spring, offering rebirth, and another attempt at creation by God.

1923 Season 2 Episode 1 is available to stream on Paramount+ now.

2025-02-23 23:21