Warning: This article contains significant spoilers for the Season 2 finale of 1923, titled “A Dream and a Memory.”
Unveiling Spencer Dutton’s Fate in 1923’s Season Finale
The highly anticipated finale of 1923 Season 2 delivered unexpected revelations, particularly concerning the fate of Spencer Dutton, portrayed by Brandon Sklenar. The dramatic conclusion showcased Spencer’s return to Montana to reclaim the Yellowstone ranch from Donald Whitfield, played by Timothy Dalton. In an emotional turn of events, he reunites with his wife, Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer), only to endure the heartbreaking loss of her life shortly after the birth of their son, John Dutton II.
A Time Jump and Its Significance
The finale encompassed two significant elements that might have eluded some viewers: the introduction of a time jump and the exploration of the afterlife. While Yellowstone has utilized flashbacks throughout its series—such as depicting James Dutton’s death in 1883 and Kayce Dutton’s visions through Native American rituals—this is the first instance of a time jump within the franchise, adding a new layer to Spencer’s enduring love for Alex.
Spencer Dutton: His Life Span and Legacy
Exploring Spencer’s Longevity
In the touching finale, it is revealed that Spencer Dutton lived until the age of 80, enduring 45 years beyond Alex’s tragic passing on March 29, 1924, which is just three days before her 24th birthday. His absence in 1883 is explained by his birth in 1889, following the significant death of Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) that led the family to settle in Montana. The narrative concludes with an emotional statement that “45 years”after Alex’s death, Spencer joined her in the afterlife, confirming that his passing occurred in 1969.
The poignant closing scenes depict Spencer’s final moments, where he walks toward the Dutton family graveyard to rest beside Alex. His passing at the age of 80 draws a parallel to his uncle, Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford), who was also 80 at the season’s end. While it remains uncertain how much longer Jacob lives after the events of 1923, it’s evident that Spencer is among the longest-lived Dutton males portrayed in the series.
Connections to Future Generations in Yellowstone
Unraveling Key Mysteries
Spencer’s character not only enriches the legacy of the Dutton family but also resolves critical mysteries for the Yellowstone narrative. Following the unexpected demise of Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) in Episode 6, “The Mountain Teeth of Monsters,”Spencer is solidified as the grandfather of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner). This connection is further emphasized when John mentions his grandfather’s struggle with phantom pain due to a lost leg, evidenced by old Spencer’s gait in the finale.
Moreover, 1923 establishes the birthdate of John Dutton II as March 28, 1924. Initially born prematurely as a result of Alex’s sacrifice, he was nurtured by Spencer, Jacob, and Cara Dutton at Yellowstone. The character of John Dutton II is later played by Dabney Coleman in Yellowstone, with his eventual death occurring in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
Lingering Questions After Spencer’s Journey
Looking Ahead: Will Spencer Return in 1944?
The narrative shift to Spencer’s passing marks a first for the Yellowstone franchise, portraying the afterlife where Spencer and Alex are reunited in an ethereal vision of youth and beauty aboard a British ocean liner. As the series concludes on this romantic note, it also raises several compelling questions left unanswered by Elsa Dutton’s narration:
“Spencer never remarried. Took the comfort of a widow and made another boy, refused to marry her. And one day, the widow was gone. For Spencer, her memory didn’t fade, didn’t fray at the edges, and didn’t dull. Not one. Alexandra Dutton was born on April Fool’s Day, 1901, in Oxfordshire, England, and laid to rest March 29, 1924. When old age robbed him of his memories, he simply closed his eyes and dreamed up new ones. And 45 years later, my young brother joined her.”
These unanswered questions include the identity of Spencer’s second son with an unnamed widow, the circumstances surrounding his lost leg, and the type of father Spencer was to John. Additionally, the challenges Spencer faced while managing the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, especially after Jacob and Cara’s demise, remain vast open territories for exploration. Though it is uncertain if Brandon Sklenar will reprise his role in Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming prequel 1944, Spencer’s extended narrative is poised to continue through to 1969.