Warning: The following contains spoilers for the 1923 season 2 finale.
Brandon Sklenar Explores Spencer’s Grief Over Alex’s Sacrifice
In the emotional finale of 1923, star Brandon Sklenar reflects on the poignant sacrifice made by Alexandra, portrayed by Julia Schlaepfer, which deeply affects his character, Spencer. The season concluded with a bittersweet reunion after a prolonged separation, where Spencer and Alex reconnect against the backdrop of a railroad. However, tragedy strikes as Alex faces a life-threatening condition that leads to the premature birth of their child. Unable to bear the thought of losing both her legs and her life, Alex decides to spend her final moments with her baby, leaving Spencer to grapple with profound loss and solitude.
Sklenar’s Insight on Spencer’s Emotional Journey
In a candid discussion with ScreenRant, Sklenar provided a glimpse into Spencer’s psyche during these harrowing moments. He describes Spencer as being in a state of denial about Alex’s impending death. This emotional turmoil is compounded by the enduring love Spencer has for Alex, which he can never express. According to Sklenar, living with this heart-wrenching realization marks a significant turning point for Spencer, who waits nearly half a century to reunite with her in the afterlife. Sklenar elaborates:
It was heartbreaking. I had a hard time not getting too emotional filming that scene, definitely, so we had to pull it back a lot. “Your legs are a long way from your heart…”That line just gets me every time. I mean, there’s so much in that short exchange, and so much not being said. He’s not wanting to accept it, but he knows that it’s the right thing to do. There’s the profound feeling of love that he has for her in that moment, knowing that he’s not going to get a minute to show her how much she means to him. Having to live with that for your entire rest of your life is profoundly heartbreaking.
That’s what I was feeling in the moment there because it’s the ultimate sacrifice. He’s been fighting everything to see her and be with her, and then within 40 f–king minutes, she’s f–king dying. So, that heaven scene is the ultimate payoff. He’s been literally waiting almost 50 years to see her again – and he somehow lived that long despite all the drinking and smoking. This guy’s not doing IVs, you know what I mean? Or using sunblock. But it’s just so damn beautiful. It’s so beautiful.
The Lasting Impact of Loss on Spencer
The finale reveals that Spencer never remarried after Alex’s death. Although he fathered another child with a widow, he resisted marrying her, a reflection of his undying love for Alex. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that his choices in life are fueled by a longing to reunite with his lost love, which Sklenar emphasizes. He notes that the heartache he experienced leads Spencer to find solace in lying beside Alex’s grave as he approaches death.
Alex’s Love and Sacrifice
Schlaepfer, who portrayed Alex, shared her perspective on the character’s journey throughout the series. She believes Alex’s decisions stem from her deep, selfless love for her baby. Though Alex’s fate in the season finale is tragic, it’s a testament to her character’s nobility. Schlaepfer even speculated about Alex’s fate after she read the script, indicating that such an ending felt inevitable.
Fans React to the Heartbreaking Conclusion
Following the airing of the season finale, viewers flooded social media with their feelings of disappointment regarding the conclusion of Spencer and Alex’s love story. Many fans struggled to understand Spencer’s choices post-Alex, particularly his reluctance to marry the widow after their shared child. Sklenar’s reflections provide insight into the profound emotional void left by Alex’s death, illustrating how her absence renders Spencer incomplete.
A Bittersweet Reunion
Despite the brevity of their reunion, Alex managed to fulfill her wish to see Spencer again, achieving a sense of peace before her passing. For Spencer, however, this reunion signals the beginning of a lifetime of grief. The scene in heaven becomes not just his paradise but establishes Spencer as one of the most tragic figures in the Yellowstone franchise, forever marked by the love and loss he endures.