There’s been a lot of talk about the next Yellowstone prequel, but after 1923 season 2’s finale, the story I’m dying to see is one about Helen Mirren’s Cara Dutton. Spencer Dutton’s aunt makes a fierce stand for their land at the end of 1923 season 2, using Jacob’s (Harrison Ford) elk rifle to defend the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch from Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) and Donald Whitfield’s (Timothy Dalton) army. Cara is a sharpshooter in the finale, and her kills are crucial to the Duttons holding off its attackers until Spencer arrives to finish the job.
Cara acts as a skilled sniper in 1923’s finale, and it isn’t the first time we’ve seen her step up and defend the ranch. In the opening scene of 1923 season 1, Cara shoots one of Creighton’s men who attempts to escape after the attack on the Dutton family, killing him with a shotgun. Helen Mirren’s powerhouse performance proves that Cara is one of the best Dutton family members. Yellowstone’s audience deserves a deeper look at who Cara is after her incredible role protecting Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph) and her family in 1923 season 2.
Taylor Sheridan Should Do A Yellowstone Prequel About Cara Dutton Before 1923
Another Yellowstone Prequel Could Explore Young Cara Dutton’s Journey
1923 season 2’s finale looks at what’s next for Cara after the Duttons defeat their attackers. While Spencer’s wife, Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer), dies of complications from hypothermia, she lives long enough to deliver her baby, John. After Alex’s death, Cara steps in to raise Spencer and Alex’s baby, sending a Yellowstone Ranch hand for goats so that the premature baby has fresh milk. Cara solidifies her future as John Dutton II’s caretaker when she says goodbye to Jack Dutton’s (Darren Mann) wife as Elizabeth Strafford leaves the Yellowstone Ranch, cradling the baby on the porch.
Cara is an Irish immigrant. Like Alex Dutton, she probably has an incredible story to tell.
While we know what’s next for Cara, I want to know what came before her 1923 story. We know from Elsa Dutton’s narration in 1923 that Jacob and Cara moved to Montana in 1894, assuming control of the Yellowstone Ranch after James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) died. While her time on the ranch certainly forged some of Cara’s hardier qualities, I want to see a Yellowstone prequel about Cara’s backstory before she moved to Montana. Cara is an Irish immigrant. Like Alex Dutton, she probably has an incredible story to tell, one worth hearing.
Cara Dutton Was 1923’s Most Fascinating Character, Not Spencer
Spencer Was Great In 1923, But Cara Was Even Better
After watching her hold down the fort for the majority of 1923’s finale, it’s safe to say that Cara Dutton is the most compelling main character in 1923. While her nephew, Spencer Dutton, is the straightforward hero expected to save the ranch, Cara’s heroic role is just as significant. As a rancher’s wife and woman past middle age, Cara defies expectations by playing such a major role in the tactical war, making her sharpshooting skills all the more satisfying. Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty) underscores this in 1923’s final episode, saying he thought the boys were making lucky shots.
While Spencer saves the day in the end, a closer look at the whole of 1923 proves that Cara was the Yellowstone Ranch’s hero all along. She cares for Jack’s wife amid the horrible things happening to Elizabeth Strafford. She tends to Jacob’s ailments, saving him from life-threatening gunshot wounds after Banner Creighton’s attack. She steps in for Jacob at the Montana Livestock Commission, saving face for the Dutton family while enacting a plan to provide the town with proper law enforcement. 1923’s finale proves that Cara is the Dutton family’s backbone, and there’s more of her character to explore.
Cara Dutton Never Meeting Alex Was A Big 1923 Disappointment
Harrison Ford Likened Alex And Cara To Shooting Stars
Despite shining in 1923 season 2’s finale, Cara Dutton was involved in one of 1923’s biggest disappointments. Since Cara is holding it down at the ranch, she’s unable to meet Alex Dutton at the hospital while she’s still alive. When Cara arrives with Spencer, she gives her nephew private time with his severely ill wife, opting not to meet Alex while she had the chance, which was gracious and wise. 1923’s finale even makes the point that Cara doesn’t meet Alex on two separate occasions, once at the hospital and once back at the ranch while she holds her baby.
The dialogue highlights the disappointment that Cara Dutton never met Alex, reflecting how fans feel about the development. 1923’s finale implies that they were alike, with Jacob referring to Cara and Alex as shooting stars. Many fans, myself included, would have preferred that Alex live to meet Cara and the rest of the 1923 Dutton family. She could have told them her story and lived to raise her child as she helped Spencer run the ranch. Still, we could see Julia Schlaepfer’s Alex Dutton comeback in 1944. Likewise, giving Cara Dutton more time in the Yellowstone franchise is worth considering.