Warning: SPOILERS ahead for 1923 Season 2, Episode 6, “The Mountain Teeth Of Monsters.”The unfolding events surrounding Alex Dutton’s friends in 1923 are tragic, echoing the sorrowful beginnings of Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) backstory. In Season 2, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) embarks on a perilous journey fueled by her desperation to reunite with the father of her child. Following their rescue of Alex at a Chicago train station, Paul (Augustus Prew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery) appear to offer her a much-needed reprieve in their home in Winnetka, even generously offering to drive her to Emigrant, Montana.
While the moment was heartwarming, I found myself anxious about what awaited the trio on their journey, especially since Alex has endured one misfortune after another in 1923. The trio joining forces only seemed to amplify their collective misfortunes, contributing to the array of calamities that befall the Dutton family this bitter winter. Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) have faced relentless challenges, including the recent loss of Elizabeth Strafford’s (Michelle Randolph) husband, Jack (Darren Mann), in episode 6. Thus, Alex’s companions’ tragic outcomes merely add to the heartbreaking narrative in 1923.
Paul & Hillary’s Fatal Journey in 1923 Season 2, Episode 6
The Grim Fate of Alex’s Friends in “The Mountain Teeth Of Monsters”
While on a West-bound Union Pacific train to Chicago, Alex encounters Paul and Hillary, who initially exhibit a degree of brashness. Hillary makes inappropriate assumptions about Alex’s injuries, unaware of the brutal incident she faced in Grand Central Terminal during 1923, Season 2, Episode 4. Nevertheless, their interactions take a turn when Alex showcases her sharp wit regarding the depreciating value of the French franc, piquing their interest.
After assisting Alex in filing a police report, Paul and Hillary invite her for tea in their home, captivated by the gripping tale of her life with Spencer. Paul finds her story enthralling and volunteers to drive her to Montana, a seemingly generous gesture that unfortunately turns into a dire misadventure. As they navigate the treacherous roads northward, the conditions deteriorate sharply, with heavy snowfall making travel perilous.
Once Alex awakens on the roadside, she is confronted with the harrowing sight of Hillary frozen to death in the passenger seat, a devastating blow considering the earlier warnings given at a gas station to take the train instead. Ignoring the locals’ advice and the clear signs of inclement weather, Paul and Hillary begin to suffer from the cold, with Paul selflessly offering his gloves to Hillary as the stark reality of their situation sets in. Ultimately, Alex’s waking moment is marked by chilling tragedy, solidifying it as one of the series’ most shocking deaths.
Connections to Margaret Dutton’s Tragic Fate from 1883
Echoes of Loss: Spencer Dutton’s Mother, Margaret
The tragic demise of Paul and Hillary serves as a stark reminder of a tragic loss within the Dutton lineage. 1923 is deeply rooted in the struggles of its characters, a narrative that follows the aftermath of 1883, the series centered on James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill). Although Spencer isn’t present in 1883, it’s important to note that he is Margaret’s youngest son, born after the family established themselves in Paradise Valley.
The journey depicted in 1883 ended in sorrow when Elsa (Isabel May) lost her life, with James and Margaret continuing to persevere. Yet, in 1923, Elsa’s voiceover forebodes tragedy, revealing Margaret Dutton’s tragic fate: she freezes to death after her husband passes away, a loss discovered by Jacob (Harrison Ford) when he finds her frozen in a snow drift, leaving her sons John and Spencer to face the harsh realities of winter alone.
Implications of Alex’s Friends’ Deaths for the Finale of 1923 Season 2
Dutton Family’s Deep Empathy for Alex’s Journey
The fate of Alex’s friends in 1923 Season 2, Episode 6 closely mirrors Spencer’s mother Margaret’s tragic demise, and this narrative connection may resonate powerfully in the finale. Witnessing Alex confront the death of Paul and Hillary adds a profound layer of trauma to her already burdensome storyline. Their loss comes at a time when Alex had begun to forge friendships, intensifying her emotional turmoil.
Upon reaching the Dutton ranch, Alex is set to share a harrowing but impactful story, with the tragic deaths of her friends being a significant part of her narrative. Spencer, having experienced the loss of his mother to the biting cold, is poised to fully understand Alex’s pain and sorrow, creating a potent bond between them. As Elsa Dutton pointed out, Jacob discovered Margaret’s frozen body, which means that Spencer’s uncle also carries an intimate connection to this shared hardship, deepening the empathy extended towards Alex, akin to what he displayed toward Elizabeth.