Paramount Plus finally debuted the second season of its highly-anticipated Yellowstone prequel series 1923 on Sunday evening, and fans were certainly happy.
It had been just over two full years since Season 1 came to a close, following Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) and his wife Cara (Helen Mirren) as they try to protect their beloved Yellowstone-Dutton Ranch.
The show’s return was prolonged by the dual writers and actors strikes of 2023, but now the second and final season is now upon us.
One of the primary storylines in the first season involved Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) and his courtship and marriage to the lovely Brit Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer).
However, at the end of Season 1 they were separated after Spencer threw Alex’s ex Arthur II (Rafe Soule) overboard, killing the Earl of Sussex as his father Prince Arthur (Bruce Davison) demanded their marriage be questioned.
They separated the married couple as Alexandra vowed to meet her husband (who was married by a ship’s captain in international waters) in Montana… though many fans were quite annoyed that this beloved couple will seemingly spend most of this season apart.
While some fans hoped that Season 2 would start with enough time having passed that Spencer and Alexandra would be together again, that was clearly not the case.
Spencer has signed on with another ship to earn money for his journey back to America, while Alex is stuck in Sussex without any money, family or friends to help her get back to America.
However, both Spencer and Alex start their journey back to each other, though it’s clear that it will be a long one, with Spencer taking to fighting other workers to earn money along the way on this arduous journey, with help of an Italian co-worker.
Alex reunited with her best friend Jennifer (Jo Ellen Pellman), who was able to sell enough of her jewelry to book passage to New York City in tourist class.
Alex also revealed to Jennifer that she is in fact pregnant with Spencer’s child, making her journey even more necessary so the child could be with the father.
The episode ends with Alex boarding her ship, tearfully telling Jennifer that she ‘proved’ that she was in fact her best friend for helping her get back to her husband.
Still, given how long a journey by sea it is just to New York City alone, and then yet another journey from the Big Apple to Montana, it’s clear Spencer and Alex will be apart for most of Season 2.
That didn’t seem to sit well with fans, who were quite upset that their favorite couple will be apart for this final season.
Annette (@JustCurious37) said, ‘This season of #1923TV will be good. I wish that Spencer would hurry up and get there. #ParamountPlus
Joshua Nyberg (@joshua_nyberg) added ‘So what is the over/under for how many episodes it’ll take for Spencer to make it back to the ranch? #1923tv #YellowstoneTV I’m guess it’ll happen in episode 6.
Tiff (@Po90Tiff) added, ‘I had a feeling that Alex was pregnant. Now since the Seventh Generation has been confirmed since #YellowstoneTv finally will meet two more Duttons in #1944tv. #1923tv.’
Shaii (@Shai__TN) added, ‘If Spencer doesn’t make it back to the ranch within the next two episodes, that might be the point where I check out. Dragging out a plot point just for the sake of stretching the story does nothing for me! #1923tv.’
Raghu (@rags751) said, ‘@1923tv season 2 talk about a dark and scary season premiere opener. #1923tv. I will be mad if Alex and Spencer arrive at Montana in the pen-ultimate episode.’
Shaun (@SoundTheShaun) said, ‘Nothing like a lion on your front porch in the morning,’ referring to the opening and closing scenes where a lion was sitting on the front porch of the Dutton home… what many think is a portent of doom for what’s to come with the rest of Season 2.
The Libertiness (@CoCoDevi) added, ‘Watching #1923tv should have its own support group. I’m honestly so traumatized by this first episode I don’t know if I can go on.’
Others were quite traumatized by the premiere, including the lion scene and another of a man being raped by another man on the ship Spencer is on… before Spencer stopped it.
S Carter (@ThaHustleMan330) explained, ‘In the first 20 minutes: A lion on the pouch. A man being sexually assaulted. A kid gets trampled by a horse. What a way to start the new season of #1923tv.’
TV Quotes (@SmScreenQuotes) insisted, ‘Every minute of season two that Spencer is not in Montana is going to irritate me.’
Tina (@CTinaGal) added, ‘#1923TV S2E1 Not enough of Alexandra in the episode. I can’t believe this is going to be the final season. I hope she gets more scenes.’
Others were glad the show was finally back after such a long wait, like @KayisDivine, who said, ‘I’m watching #1923TV from the beginning because they waited 3 years for a new season. Like wtf
Alison (@alibarbiie) added, ‘1st episode was fantastic! From what I can tell, S2 is shaping up to be even more intense than S1. Has anyone else started to see the Elizabeth character in a new light after watching her in #Landman? It’s interesting to see how different their roles are! #1923tv @paramountplus.
1923 Season 2 episodes will be available to stream on Paramount Plus every Sunday at 12 AM ET, with the season finale airing Sunday, April 13.