Synopsis:
A cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob and Cara back at Dutton ranch. With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana. Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love.
What We Thought:
As much as I enjoy Yellowstone spinoff 1923, Season Two suffers from the same issue I had with Season One, way too many characters and substories. I understand as a prequel to Yellowstone and sequel to 1883 it needs to tie together a lot of Dutton lore, but I think multiple side stories and side characters could be cut away to get to the same conclusion.
That being said, 1923 is just as good as every other show in the Taylor Sheridan Universe and the cast shines as usual. You know exactly what you’re going to get out of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren along with Robert Patrick and other stars. Mirren is fantastic and Ford playing an aging man is his wheelhouse nowadays. To me though the breakout star is Brandon Sklenar. Season Two starts with him on a ship trying to get back to America and protecting a young Italian man from being raped. He starts to earn money fighting on the ship all the while hoping he gets back home in time. Alexandra does what she needs to do get on a ship to America as well to meet up with Spencer Dutton.
I’m ok with the adventures across the sea and Mirren and Ford holding down the fort back home. Like Season One, the Native story with Teonna feels out of place. I 100% understand what it’s trying to do and say about the treatment of Natives in that time period, but it feels like it should be its own series. Yellowstone tackled Native lore by having John’s son married to a Native woman and having a son, but that whole story was tied into the ranch and Dutton main story. Teonna’s feels so secondary at first. You know it will tie in, but the tonal shifts to that sub-story still takes me out of it.
If you were a fan of Yellowstone and 1883 and enjoyed Season One of 1923, you’ll enjoy Season Two. The production design is fantastic and the backdrop is beautiful. Winter has hit and the snow covered Dutton ranch is stunning as are the scenes in the ships. The costuming is top-notch and the acting is even better. Sklenar has already gotten a few films thanks to the series and I can see him being a leading man for years to come. I do wish the show would drop a story or two, but overall I can’t say I don’t enjoy it.
The Nerds Templar 