Warning! SPOILERS for Season 2, Episode 6 of 1923, titled “The Mountain Teeth Of Monsters.”
In Season 2, Episode 6 of 1923, there is a poignant moment that John Dutton III (played by Kevin Costner) never experienced throughout the five seasons of Yellowstone. This particular scene showcases Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford), John’s ancestor, who is navigating the tumultuous era of Prohibition while unifying his family. Jacob, much like John, faces immense challenges as he strives to maintain the legacy of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, demonstrating a fierce familial loyalty alongside his wife, Cara (Helen Mirren). Together, they embody the essence of family, supporting one another through the complexities of life.
Though Jacob and Cara are not the biological parents of John (James Badge Dale) and Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar), their nurturing role positions them as integral figures in the boys’ upbringing. This theme of chosen family resonates throughout the entire Yellowstone saga, similar to how John Dutton assumed a fatherly role for Jamie (Wes Bentley) and Rip (Cole Hauser). However, Jacob Dutton experiences a unique fulfillment in 1923 that remains elusive for John in the present day, thereby adding a layer of melancholy to John Dutton’s arc.
A Family Dinner in 1923: What John Dutton Missed in Yellowstone
Dining in Yellowstone: A Struggle for Connection
In the heartwarming Family dinner featured in 1923 Season 2, Episode 6, Jacob, Cara, Jack, and Elizabeth join Zane (Brian Geraghty) and Alice (Joy Osmanski) for a wholesome meal prepared by Cara. Unlike the typically tumultuous dining scenarios in Yellowstone, this gathering highlights a sense of unity and warmth. Here, every seat at the table is filled, embodying the familial bond that John Dutton longed for, yet failed to achieve. As Jacob observes this scene, it becomes evident how deeply a full table resonates with him, fulfilling a desire that seemed perpetually out of reach for John.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1buPdJxLgfA
Jacob’s sentiment is acknowledged by Cara, who comments on the fullness of their dining table. This moment of recognition reinforces Jacob’s appreciation for the familial gatherings, in stark contrast to John Dutton’s struggles with achieving harmony within his own family, often leaving him and his daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) longing for a more fulfilling domestic life.
The Challenges of Family Meals in Yellowstone
Conflict Plagued John Dutton III’s Family Meals
Even on occasions when John Dutton’s home was filled with family, cozy mealtime intimacy remained an impossible dream. Typically, meals within the modern Dutton household culminated in conflicts, with members frequently storming off in anger, leading to wasted food and further disappointment for John. Notably, in Season 5 of Yellowstone, a telling moment occurs when Jamie reveals to Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) that Beth would stab him with a fork under the table, showcasing the longstanding hostility and tension that has marred their family dinners.
A glimmer of hope emerges in Season 4 when Rip and Carter (Finn Little) move into the lodge, prompting Rip to confront Beth about her disruptive behavior. This leads to a more peaceful dining experience, albeit in a smaller setting with less chaos among them. Still, the emotional baggage carried by the Dutton family significantly impedes their ability to share a harmonious meal together.
Throughout the series, we witness the Duttons grappling with immense trauma that’s particularly prevalent in Beth, who endured the haunting memory of her mother’s tragic death. Additionally, the burden of familial betrayal, particularly regarding Jamie’s actions surrounding Beth’s abortion, introduces further complexity into their relationships. Thus, against the backdrop of their tumultuous lives and ongoing battles for the ranch, meaningful family meals remain elusive. In contrast, Jacob’s fulfilling family dinner in 1923 offers a glimpse into the domestic bliss that seems forever out of reach for John Dutton.