The Paramount Plus exclusive Yellowstone prequel series 1923 caught up with the Dutton family during the harsh days of the 1920s, making for a dramatic first season. From the mind of Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan, 1923 follows the Dutton family in Montana as they struggle with contemporary issues like Prohibition, and the looming economic disaster of the Great Depression. Still a Western to its core, 1923 offers yet another glimpse of the famous ranching family at a different moment in their lengthy timeline, and brought celebrated stars like Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford into the franchise.
Overwhelmingly praised by critics for its star power and grim outlook on the American West, 1923’s historical connection was a big reason why the story proved to be so popular for Paramount Plus. Few series can rival Yellowstone on its overarching and broad appeal, but its spinoffs found a way to capture the magic of the original while exploring different parts of the Yellowstone franchise timeline. Though a big focus was placed on Jacob Dutton (Ford) and his ranch, 1923’s rich tapestry of characters weaved fascinating narratives that went far beyond the familiar struggles of the Dutton ranch.
“1923” (S1 E1)
The premiere episode, “1923”, served to introduce yet another generation of the Dutton clan and even reintroduce familiar names from 1883. The episode opens with narration from 1883’s Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) who explains the lineage of the Dutton family and how the events of 1883 connect to 1923. Rancher Jacob Dutton helps to squash an uprising of sheepherders in town which is led by Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn), and he agrees to open Yellowstone Ranch for communal grazing. Meanwhile, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) has to postpone his wedding to Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) to help out with the ranch.
Earlier in the episode, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) was reintroduced as he hunted big game in Africa to avoid coming to grips with the horrors he witnessed during WWI. In another storyline, Teonna Rainwater, played in the cast of 1923 by Aminah Nieves, experiences horrific abuse at a Catholic-run school for Indigenous students. Towards the end of the episode, Jacob decides to drive his cattle into the mountains where there is bountiful grass, and Jack is confronted by Banner Creighton who has trespassed in order to feed his herd. In the confusion, a sheepherder seemingly shoots Jack.
“Nature’s Empty Throne” (S1 E2)
Picking up where the first episode left off, Spencer is locked in deadly combat with a leopard in Africa, and he is nearly killed. Meanwhile, the shot fired at Jack by the rogue sheepherder actually struck his horse, and Jacob arrived in time to rescue his nephew. Jacob strings up the sheepherders, but Banner is able to cut himself loose. Meanwhile, Teonna’s rebellion at school leads her to face harsh punishment, but her grandmother arrives and demands she go to school on the reservation. In Africa, Spencer meets Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) a British woman who decides to leave her fiancé behind and join Spencer on his hunt.
“The War Has Come Home” (S1 E3)
After their escapade in the mountains, the Dutton clan goes into town for a night of celebrating but is confronted the next day by an enraged Banner who cuts them down with gunfire. Elizabeth is wounded along with Jack, but John (James Badge Dale) is killed with Jacob in dire straits. Matriarch Cara Dutton (Mirren) tracks a gunman and exacts her revenge by killing him. In Africa, Alexandra and Spencer are attacked by an elephant and decide to get married after they survive the harrowing ordeal. A seemingly dying Jacob implores Cara to write a letter to Spencer in order to coax him back to the U.S.
“War And The Turquoise Tide” (S1 E4)
After the encounter with Banner, John is buried in the family cemetery and Elizabeth expresses her loyalty to Jack despite their recent troubles. Meanwhile, Banner enlists the help of local magnate Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) to finance his revenge against the Duttons, and he immediately springs into action by killing a few cowboys and releasing the Dutton herd. Teonna’s rage reaches a boiling point at the school, and she kills Sister Mary (Jennifer Ehle) by strangulation. Spencer and Alexandra settle into a nice life together, and she inspires him to dig into his correspondence from home, revealing the news of Jacob’s death three months earlier.
“Ghost Of Zebrina” (S1 E5)
“Ghost of Zebrina” reveals 1923’s Jacob Dutton death fake-out as the family is seen still recovering from their battle with Banner. The fallout of Teonna’s escape gets her cousin in deadly danger as the school decides to hunt for the escaped girl, and Whitfield hatches a plan to buy up all the land around the Dutton ranch. Spencer and Alexandra book passage on a tugboat, and Elizabeth gives Jack an ultimatum to marry her. On the tugboat, the sudden death of the captain leaves them on a collision course with a hulking ghost ship, and the final shot of the episode showed the tug completely capsized.
“One Ocean Closer To Destiny” (S1 E6)
1923’s sixth episode begins with Teonna deciding to hide her identity with the help of a man she encountered in the desert. It’s also revealed that Spencer and Alexandra survive the boat crash but are still in a bad situation without fresh water. Cara, worried about Jacob’s quest for vigilante justice, teams up with the sheriff to hire livestock agents in order to deal with Banner in a legal way. Back on the sinking boat, Spencer and Alexandra fend off attacks from vicious sharks before finally being rescued by a passing ship. They are married in international waters and learn that their next stop will take them to Marseilles.
“The Rule Of Five Hundred” (S1 E7)
The penultimate episode of 1923 season 1 begins with Jacob accompanying the sheriff to arrest Banner on murder charges. However, Whitfield receives word and dispatches his best legal aid. Teonna is eventually caught by her trio of priest pursuers, but she is rescued by Hank (Michael Greyeyes), the man she first encountered in the desert. Hank is killed in the skirmish but Teonna is able to dispatch her final attacker with a large rock. All the way in Europe, Spencer and Alexandra enjoy their first moments of peace together but are caught off guard by the sudden arrival of Alexandra’s former fiancé.
“Nothing Left To Lose” (S1 E8)
Setting up the future of the Yellowstone franchise, “Nothing Left to Lose” begins with Teonna being taken in by Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) and Pete Plenty Clouds (Cole Brings Plenty). Thanks to Whitfield’s deep pockets, Banner is released from police custody without bail, and he is back to tormenting the Duttons. In Europe, Alexandra and Spencer book passage on an ocean liner, and Spencer dispatches Alexandra’s former fiancé in a duel. Alexandra is forcefully taken by her family, and Spencer is kicked off of the ship. 1923 season 1 concludes with Whitfield paying the Dutton ranch property taxes which legally makes it his if they cannot pay him back.