Yellowstone spelled out its ending in another story that followed the Dutton family. In 1883, the earliest-known members of John Dutton’s family embarked on a harrowing journey from Texas to Montana on a variant of the Oregon Trail. Rather than battling criminals and development complexes, James Dutton’s family in 1883 fought the perils of nature. James, Margaret, Elsa, and John forged rivers in Texas, braved tornadoes on the Great Plains, and faced the chilling threat of winter as they approached the mountains in a covered wagon. Still, the Dutton family’s primary enemy in 1883 was greed, the same as always.
At the end of their journey, the Dutton family encounters a wise figure who guides them to their destination and foretells the end of their legacy. In the Yellowstone season 5 finale, Kayce Dutton brings that prophecy from 1883 to fruition. The development proves that Yellowstone screenwriter Taylor Sheridan’s stories will work harmoniously to form the Dutton family’s complete saga. Therefore, as more installments build on what happened before and after John Dutton III’s family, it’s essential to understand what came first. The Dutton family made a promise in 1883 that guided every story about their Montana ranch thereafter.
1883’s Prophecy Of The Yellowstone Ranch Explained
Taylor Sheridan Established Yellowstone’s Ending In 1883
Elsa Dutton is one of the most essential characters in the Yellowstone franchise because her story is directly responsible for her family’s legacy. Elsa is just a teenager when her family embarks on a journey through the plains with a wagon train of emigrants. Elsa thrives while others in her wagon train fall prey to the elements and their inexperience as pioneers. Elsa Dutton’s Yellowstone narration lets viewers understand her complete perspective on life, death, love, and the land while having a coming-of-age experience in the complete wilderness. Elsa actor Isabel May’s monologue contextualizes each chapter in her character’s southern accent.
Ultimately, despite her wit, Elsa dies during the family’s journey after she succumbs to an infection. A Lakota warrior shoots Elsa in the liver with a poison arrow, and Elsa Dutton’s death in 1883 marks the end of the series. Elsa’s fatal wound is a tragic misunderstanding, highlighting the fragility of human nature. Wagon leaders Shea and Thomas accidentally tamper with a brutal crime scene of murdered Lakota women and children, which makes their wagon train appear responsible for their deaths. Despite James’ plan, the Lakota warriors mistakenly attack the pioneers when their cook diverges from the predetermined strategy.
While highlighting the complex nature of the battles fought on the Oregon Trail and in the American West, Elsa’s death in 1883 sets up Yellowstone’s future.
While highlighting the complex nature of the battles fought on the Oregon Trail and in the American West, Elsa’s death sets up Yellowstone’s future. James and Margaret continue their journey despite their daughter’s wound, eventually coming upon a group of Crow people as they approach the mountains. The Crow people heal Elsa with ceremony, despite confirming to James that Elsa will die because the Lakota dip their arrows in cow manure. When James tells Spotted Eagle about his need to find a final resting place for his daughter, the Crow chief generously tells James about the Paradise Valley.
However, the Crow elder’s directions to his people’s old hunting grounds come with a warning. Spotted Eagle tells James Dutton that his people will rise and take the land back in seven generations, establishing the Yellowstone prophecy in 1883. Rather than fighting the Crow elder’s wishes, James Dutton agrees that the people can have their land back in seven generations, implying that his family wouldn’t resist. The promise between James Dutton and Spotted Eagle largely explains the ending of Yellowstone season 5.
How Much Of 1883’s Prophecy Came True In Yellowstone
Yellowstone Satisfied The 1883 Prophecy Completely
While reviews of Yellowstone season 5, episode 14, reflected disappointment with the show’s predictability and pacing issues, Yellowstone season 5 successfully fulfilled the duality of the 1883 prophecy. The dialogue between James Dutton and Spotted Eagle has two parts. First, Spotted Eagle threatens to take the land back. Then, James Dutton assures the chief his ancestors can have it. Both aspects of the prophecy come to fruition in Yellowstone, with Sheridan laying the groundwork in season 1. The first season of Yellowstone fulfills the Indigenous aspect of the prophecy, with Thomas Rainwater threatening to take the land back.
In Yellowstone season 1, Thomas Rainwater tells John Dutton that he will buy the Paradise Valley, starting with the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Broken Rock Tribe Chief Rainwater wants to restore the land to his people, Spotted Eagle’s ancestors. Thomas Rainwater’s threat to John Dutton in Yellowstone season 1 is the first half of the prophecy coming to fruition, with the Crow peoples’ relatives rising to reclaim their land. However, Sheridan didn’t forget James Dutton’s half of the promise either. Kayce’s actions in Yellowstone season 5 reflected James’s cooperation with the Comanche, Lakota, and Crow people during his Yellowstone story.
In Yellowstone, season 5, episode 14, Kayce Dutton fulfilled his family’s side of the prophecy. Kayce tells Thomas and Mo he wants to offer to sell the land back to the Broken Rock Tribe for what it cost 140 years ago when his family settled it. The tribal chief accepts the offer, and Kayce and Thomas complete the land deal after John Dutton III’s funeral. Kayce’s offer allows Thomas Rainwater to regain land stewardship peacefully rather than using casino money to take it after John’s death, completing the prophecy by removing obstacles to the Broken Rock Tribe purchasing the land.
What Else Is Revealed In Yellowstone Prequels That Could Happen In The Future
The Dutton Family Story Continues In 1923
Elsa Dutton’s story and narration are potent sources of prophecy in the Yellowstone universe. Despite her death, Elsa Dutton continues to narrate the Yellowstone story in 1923 season 1. The Depression-era saga is a sequel to 1883, and Elsa’s narration explains how her family’s legacy developed in the 40 years following her death. Elsa’s 1923 narration contains a lot of nuance in describing what’s to come for her family, but the coded monologue is the most profound clue about what will happen in 1923 season 2. In 1923 season 1, episode 1, Elsa says the following:
Elsa: My father had three children. Only one would live to see their own children grown. Only one would carry the fate of this family through the depression and every other hell the 20th century hurled at them.
Elsa’s monologue hints at what’s coming in 1923 and the previously announced 1944. The upcoming chapter of 1923 will see Spencer and Alexandra journey to Montana after getting separated in the season 1 finale. It will also see Jack Dutton’s story continue alongside Elizabeth Strafford. The events of 1923 season 2 will clarify the details of Elsa’s monologue and set up Sheridan’s next Yellowstone prequel, 1944. The Yellowstone prequels fill in the narrative and enrich the Dutton family tree. Still, the two most vital installments to the complete Dutton story are 1883 and Yellowstone, which establish and fulfill the prophecy.