Jacob Dutton Passed Yellowstone Ranch to Spencer, Solving Problem John Couldn’t

by

Warning: SPOILERS for 1923 Season 2’s Finale – “A Dream and a Memory”

In contrast to John Dutton’s five-season tenure in Yellowstone, Jacob Dutton, portrayed by Harrison Ford in the 1923 series, accomplished something significant in the finale that Kevin Costner’s character didn’t. The second season finale of 1923 marked a grand conclusion for the Dutton family during the Prohibition era, culminating their range war over the Yellowstone Ranch with an intense climax. Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) returned home in the finale of 1923, leaving his wife, Alexandra of Sussex (Julia Schlaepfer), on a train to Bozeman following a fortunate rescue. Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) eagerly awaited Spencer’s arrival, and his heroic return did not disappoint.

Spencer kills the remaining men of Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) and Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) using an elephant gun, demonstrating that Dutton is capable of safeguarding the ranch. Tragically, Spencer’s wife passed away following childbirth, choosing not to undergo surgery to amputate her decaying limbs. I was deeply saddened by her death after everything Alex Dutton went through in 1923. Overall, Spencer’s growth upon arriving in Montana made for a fulfilling ending. Moreover, Spencer’s actions had a significant effect on Jacob and Cara’s conclusion.

Jacob Dutton Passes The Yellowstone Ranch Down To Spencer In 1923’s Finale

Jacob Dutton Peacefully Retires In 1923 Season 2, Episode 7

Following the end of the war, Jacob Dutton transfers ownership of the Yellowstone Ranch to Spencer, relinquishing his responsibility for its care. Initially, Spencer departed from the ranch to participate in the Great War, and upon returning, he chose to remain. In one of the final scenes of 1923, as Spencer gets ready to drive cattle up the mountain, Jacob decides not to join him, instead preferring to stay on the porch and oversee minor tasks, such as keeping an eye on John Dutton.

In the year 1923, Jacob’s tranquility at the finale is well-deserved, given all the hardships he faced while safeguarding the Yellowstone ranch. Back in 1894, his brother, James Dutton (Tim McGraw), passed away, prompting Jacob to relocate and take charge of the Montana ranch. After discovering that Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) had also perished, he became responsible for her sons, Spencer and John. To claim Jacob merely defended the Yellowstone ranch would be a significant underestimation, as evidenced by the grave injuries he sustained during season 1 of 1923. Consequently, transferring the ranch to Spencer, thereby reestablishing its lineage, was a fitting conclusion for Jacob’s journey.

Why John Couldn’t Pass The Dutton Ranch Down In Yellowstone

John Dutton III Had No One To Pass The Ranch Down To

The problem of passing down the Yellowstone ranch, a burden for John Dutton in contemporary times, was alleviated by Jacob’s actions in the 1920s; however, failing to do so had tragic consequences for the family, ultimately leading to the loss of their legacy.
The natural succession of the Yellowstone ranch initially proved impossible for John Dutton due to a number of reasons. First and foremost, the death of Lee Dutton (Dave Annable) in the first season of Yellowstone left John without the son he had planned to pass the ranch onto. Tragically, Lee died in the series premiere, leaving a void that could not be filled easily.

Despite this, John eventually designates Kayce (Luke Grimes) as his successor. However, several complications arise as Kayce takes over the ranch as initially intended.

In the show “Yellowstone”, it’s made clear that Kayce Dutton had no desire to manage or even run the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. At one point, John, Kayce’s father, expressed that Kayce wasn’t prepared for such a role yet. Despite this, John managed to convince Kayce to assume the ranch’s leadership and become Livestock Commissioner. However, John’s dream of retiring was scarcely realized, as he rarely got a taste of it. When Lynelle Perry, played by Wendy Moniz, announced her intention to run for Senate instead of continuing as Governor of Montana in season 4 of “Yellowstone”, John felt compelled to maintain his role, taking on more responsibilities instead of stepping down as he approached retirement age.

John Dutton’s Unfulfilled Achievement Worsens His Yellowstone Season 5 Death

John Dutton III Never Achieved His Peace In Yellowstone

Given that all John Dutton desired was tranquility on his ranch, the death of John Dutton in Yellowstone season 5 is particularly heartrending. To add insult to injury, John’s appointment as Governor of Montana compels him to leave his beloved homestead for Helena, relocating into the governor’s mansion. It is from this new location that Grant Horton (Matt Gerald) dispatches a skilled squad to assassinate John Dutton, thwarting his intention to sabotage Market Equities’ plan to construct an airport in Paradise Valley – a scheme he took on the governorship to prevent in the first place.

It’s a tragic turn of events that John passed away outside his beloved family home, more so because he was firm about remaining there. The most poignant words spoken by John Dutton in Yellowstone underscore his deep connection with the untamed land he guarded and his appreciation for the legacy of his family’s land conservation. Regrettably, John wasn’t able to secure the ranch effectively, and it was ultimately Kayce, its proprietor, who returned its management to the Broken Rock Tribe, thereby realizing Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prophecy in 1883. The transfer of ownership for the ranch didn’t prove as simple for John as it did for Jacob. Nevertheless, the challenges John Dutton faced in 1923 were no less daunting when it came to preserving the land.

Read More

2025-04-22 01:18