Warning! Spoilers Ahead for 1923 Season 2, Episode 7, “A Dream and a Memory.”
In the gripping finale of 1923 Season 2, Elizabeth Strafford (portrayed by Michelle Randolph) confronts a pivotal moment in her life, ultimately making a choice that aligns with her future as Jack’s (Darren Mann) widow. Episode 7 serves as a climactic chapter for the Dutton family as they contend with escalating conflicts. During this tumultuous time, Elizabeth and Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) find themselves at the homestead, awaiting the outcome of a fierce battle. While Zane (Brian Geraghty) and the other ranch hands engage in a shootout to safeguard their land, the fierce struggle doesn’t conclude until Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) returns, decisively eliminating the remaining threats posed by Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) and Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) using an elephant gun.
However, amidst the chaos and bloodshed, Spencer faces a heart-wrenching personal tragedy. His wife, Alexandra of Sussex (Julia Schlaepfer), ultimately succumbs to complications from hypothermia, choosing to forgo amputation of her necrotic limbs in order to spend precious moments with their newborn, whom she names John. This revelation appears to clarify Alexandra’s position in the Dutton lineage, as she is evidently the grandmother of John Dutton III (Kevin Costner). Consequently, Elizabeth’s forthcoming child will not be an ancestor of Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Kayce (Luke Grimes), further complicating her place within the Dutton family legacy as she leaves the ranch.
Elizabeth’s Departure from Yellowstone: A Necessary Choice
As the dust settles from the conflict, Elizabeth ultimately decides to leave Dutton Ranch. Venturing onto the porch, she witnesses Cara feeding John Dutton II and receives a heartfelt message from Cara; she acknowledges that Elizabeth’s departure may seem like a retreat, but in reality, it is a renewed chapter for her life. Cara insightfully cautions that Elizabeth’s motivation for remaining on the ranch dissipated with Jack’s passing, leaving her bereft of the joy that once anchored her to the land. The heartbreaking reality is that Elizabeth’s experiences have overshadowed any possibility of happiness on the ranch following her husband’s death.
Long before the war, Elizabeth had begun contemplating escape. Just moments prior to discovering her second pregnancy, she voiced plans to leave Montana for Boston in eight days, thinking a brief respite might ease her sorrow. Her desire to depart stemmed not only from her lack of support from Jack but also from unmet expectations regarding ranch life. The myriad tragedies that beset her further highlighted her absence of connection to ranch life post-Jack’s death.
Elizabeth’s Losses at Yellowstone
Elizabeth’s Lack of Incentive for Remaining
As Elizabeth departs from the ranch, she carries with her not only cherished memories but also poignant reminders of profound loss. Her aspirations of a fulfilling life at Yellowstone remained unfulfilled, contributing to her decision to leave. Elizabeth and Jack never had the opportunity to formalize their marriage; their wedding was indefinitely delayed due to Jacob’s cattle drive. Tragedy struck when Elizabeth’s father, Bob Strafford (Tim DeKay), died in a gunfight instigated by Banner Creighton’s attack, which also left Elizabeth wounded.
This pivotal event forced Elizabeth’s mother, Beverly (Jessalyn Gilsig), to cancel the wedding, deeming it as dead as her father. Despite her mother’s pleas to return to the East, Elizabeth courageously chose the ranch over her family’s wishes, but fate proved unkind. The harsh realities of ranch life and a series of devastating events—including the loss of her first child and dangerous animal encounters—culminated in the irrevocable loss of her beloved Jack, marking the most crushing blow to her spirit.
Elizabeth’s New Chapter: Carrying Jack’s Child
Cara Dutton’s Misjudgment of Elizabeth’s Heart
Despite her departure from the ranch, Elizabeth retains a vital connection to the Dutton family, as she is pregnant with Jack Dutton’s child—an aspect hinted at in the finale. Although the child is not named John Dutton II, unless perhaps it shares that name, Elizabeth’s impending motherhood solidifies her tie to the Dutton legacy. Cara’s assertion that Elizabeth would forget Jack is notably perplexing; given she carries two children with him, her bond with Jack endures. There’s speculation that Elizabeth’s journey, along with her newborn, could play a significant role in future installments of Taylor Sheridan’s expanding Yellowstone universe.
Following the conclusion of Season 2, Sheridan teased a continuation of the story into 1944, effectively bridging the narrative to the contemporary events of Yellowstone. It stands to reason that both Elizabeth and her unborn child may survive the harshness of ranch life and feature in upcoming episodes, potentially returning to the storied land. Ultimately, Elizabeth’s decision to leave the Dutton Ranch seems wise, empowering her to embrace her identity rooted in urban life, free from the burdens of her past affiliations.