Unresolved Mysteries: Teonna Rainwater’s Connection to Yellowstone’s Dutton Family After 1923 Finale

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for the season 2 finale of 1923, titled “A Dream and a Memory.”

Teonna Rainwater’s narrative (portrayed by Aminah Nieves) stands as a distinct thread in the tapestry of 1923, indicating that her journey does not ultimately intersect with the Duttons, despite the series concluding. The storytelling in 1923 is bifurcated, alternating between the Dutton family saga—emphasizing their relentless fight to secure the Yellowstone ranch and the adventures of Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) returning home—and Teonna’s harrowing experiences at a Native American boarding school, where she faces immense adversity from figures like Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) and Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane).

For a significant duration, viewers speculated that Teonna’s storyline would somehow converge with that of the Duttons. Given that she is an ancestor of Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) in Yellowstone, and that 1923 serves as a prequel illuminating the origins of various character arcs, such a connection appeared plausible. Furthermore, the previous spinoff, 1883, concluded with Spotted Eagle (Graham Greene) subtly hinting that the Duttons would eventually vacate their ranch after seven generations. However, the finale of 1923 left Teonna’s narrative without any Dutton involvement.

Teonna Rainwater’s 1923 Journey Lacks Connection to Yellowstone & The Duttons

Marshal Fossett: The Only Link to the Duttons

The conclusion of 1923 distinctly illustrated that Teonna’s expedition from Montana to Texas never crossed paths with the Dutton family. Despite a near miss where she almost encounters Spencer while he is journeying through Texas, their meeting never materialized. The only significant association between Teonna and the Duttons arises through Marshal Mamie Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter), who had both Teonna and Spencer in her custody at different points, yet this remains a tenuous connection. It is plausible that Teonna is unaware of the Duttons entirely.

Furthermore, there were no indicators suggesting that Teonna’s storyline would lead her to the Duttons in the future. Following her exoneration, Teonna was directed to California by Two Spears (Dougie Hall), steering her away from Montana. Absent her companions Pete Plenty Clouds (Jeremy Gauna) and Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), Teonna possessed no incentive to return to her homeland. Thus, despite her impending significance for future narratives within the Yellowstone universe, Teonna’s arc in 1923 stood as independent and devoid of any essential connections to the Duttons.

Could the 1944 Spinoff Reconnect Rainwater’s Narrative to the Duttons?

1944: A Potential Continuation of Teonna Rainwater’s Story

Although 1923 has concluded, opportunities remain for Taylor Sheridan to creatively link Teonna’s narrative to the Duttons. The forthcoming spinoff, titled 1944, could provide a platform for exploring the Rainwater family’s ties to the Duttons. This new series is set just two decades after the events of 1923, maintaining a proximity that allows for Teonna’s character to still be viable while also offering her a potential reason to return to Montana.

While 1944 may craft a standalone story, it possesses the flexibility to weave Teonna back into the overarching narrative established in 1923. Additionally, should Teonna have children, this spinoff could shift focus to her offspring’s return journey to their ancestral lands, providing a story arc rich with potential interactions with the Duttons. This would not only deepen the exploration of the Rainwater lineage but also afford Teonna a measure of closure following her tumultuous experiences.

Ultimately, while it’s uncertain if 1944 will intertwine with the Duttons, the narrative possibilities remain intriguing as Teonna must ensure the continuation of the Rainwater lineage—including a potential offspring—thereby paving the way for future engagements with the Dutton family.

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