The long-awaited return of the Yellowstone prequel, 1923, arrived on Paramount+ on Sunday, capturing audiences with its dramatic narrative and character-driven storylines. The second season premiere, titled 'The Killing Season', showcases not only the trials faced by the Dutton family but also the nature of survival against all odds.
The premiere kicks off with the camera panning over the snow-covered ranch, made famous by its predecessor Yellowstone. Cara Dutton, voiced by Helen Mirren, narrates heartfelt letters directed to her son, Spencer. She relays the burdensome taxes weighing heavily on them, emphasizing it’s now Spencer’s responsibility to help restore their little corner of the world. Meanwhile, Cara and her husband Jacob, portrayed by Harrison Ford, brace themselves through the harsh winter alongside their son Jack Dutton, played by Darren Mann, and his wife Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph). Their plight is so severe, even nature feels the strain, with the appearance of a lion seeking refuge on their porch.
Where is Spencer during these struggles? He’s away, working aboard a ship headed back to America, shoveling coal and earning his keep. It’s here he encounters Lorenzo, played by George Gallagher, whose vulnerability prompts Spencer to step up and protect him from the ship’s crew's darker elements.
Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to Donald Whitfield, portrayed by Timothy Dalton, whose nefarious reputation precedes him. He’s established as one of the main antagonists, having previously exhibited his greed by paying off the Duttons' property taxes under the expectation they would reimburse him — or face losing their land. His abusive behavior extends beyond business as he inflicts torment upon vulnerable individuals, reflecting the broader issues of exploitation rampant during this era.
While Spencer is caught up in his own battle for survival, the audience also learns about Teonna Rainwater, played by Aminah Nieves. Teonna, along with her father Runs His Horse (Michael Spears), continues to evade her cruel captors. This storyline brings another layer of difficulty, as Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) relentlessly pursues her, representing institutional oppression.
The connections between characters deepen the narrative richness of the episode. Teonna’s brief moments of happiness, thanks to her budding romance with Pete Plenty Clouds—played by Jeremy Gauna—serve as poignant contrasts to the tragedies of the Duttons. Spencer’s romance is also touched upon as he longs for his love, Alex (Julia Schlepper), who grapples with her own burdens far away in England. Pregnant and emotional, she resolves to reach Spencer, showing the universal quest for connection, even amid adversity.
The chilling closing scene reinforces the season's themes. Cara, backed by the intensity of the situation, shoots the threatening lion on their property, demonstrating the lengths to which the Duttons must go to secure their survival. This moment is coupled with Isabel May’s poignant voiceover: “winter is the killing season, and the hungers among us seek out the weak, the foolish. Only the strongest among nature’s creatures survive it.”
The premiere of 1923 not only marks the return of beloved characters and complex story arcs but sets the stage for the expected turmoil of a harsh winter. It challenges viewers to reflect on the struggle for survival both within and beyond the Dutton ranch, promising engaging storytelling for the episodes to come.