The Season 2 finale of 1923, a prequel series to the acclaimed Yellowstone, has left fans and cast members alike grappling with a whirlwind of emotions as it marks a poignant chapter in the Dutton family saga. The episode, titled "A Dream and a Memory," showcases the heartbreak and struggles of the Duttons as they await the return of Spencer Dutton, played by Brandon Sklenar, while also dealing with the looming threat from Donald Whitfield, portrayed by Timothy Dalton.
As the finale unfolds, Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren) are anxiously waiting for Spencer's arrival in Montana. Meanwhile, Spencer's wife, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer), is fighting her own battles to reach the family's homestead. The emotional stakes are high, especially as the couple has faced numerous obstacles throughout Season 2, including separation since Spencer was thrown off their ship in Europe during the Season 1 finale.
In an exclusive interview with Collider, Schlaepfer opened up about her experience filming the finale, describing it as a deeply emotional journey. "You know what? It's funny, when we've had more time with it, but I still really feel like I'm grieving. It's a whole different ballgame watching it," she said. The actress expressed her gratitude for being able to tell such an epic story and play a character with such depth.
Brandon Sklenar echoed her sentiments, admitting he hasn't yet watched the finale due to its emotional weight. "I haven't watched it yet. I read it and I did it, and it was just emotional. I still get teared up talking about the finale and those scenes," he shared. The actors experienced the finale on multiple levels: reading the script, performing the scenes, and finally watching the outcome.
The emotional climax comes when Spencer and Alex finally reunite after their tumultuous journeys. Spencer's path has been fraught with danger, including encounters with a Texas mobster and a harrowing experience on a train that led him to kill in order to survive. On the other hand, Alex faced her own trials, from navigating the harsh realities of Ellis Island to enduring a harrowing journey through a Montana blizzard, where she lost her traveling companions to the cold.
When they finally come together, the moment is bittersweet. Schlaepfer described the reunion scene as pivotal, stating, "We were filming these really difficult scenes away from each other for so much of the season, and the first scene we shot together was the reunion. I think everyone on set, the crew, Brandon and I, we all just kind of took a breath." The director, Ben Richardson, likened the reunion to a child returning home after a difficult day at school, capturing the emotional gravity of the moment.
However, the joy of their reunion is short-lived. Tragically, Alex succumbs to injuries from frostbite after giving premature birth to their son, John. This heart-wrenching turn of events underscores the series' commitment to portraying the harsh realities faced by the Dutton family. Schlaepfer remarked on the depth of emotion involved in filming those final scenes, sharing how the experience left her feeling profoundly connected to Ford, who played a supportive role during the shoot. "He really stepped in as this fatherly figure both for Alex and for me that day," she reflected.
As the finale draws to a close, the emotional weight of the characters' journeys resonates deeply. Schlaepfer described the moment after filming the final scene, where both she and Ford shared a moment of vulnerability, crying together as they held onto each other. "Staring into each other’s eyes at the end of the scene when they called cut, and just like crying. He was holding me and making sure I was okay as this beautiful fatherly figure," she recounted.
Brandon Sklenar, who plays Spencer, added a light-hearted note about the filming process, revealing that he joked around with the prosthetic baby used in the finale. "It was a heavy couple of days, so it was a nice little shot of levity," he said, laughing. Yet, he also acknowledged the gravity of the scenes they were shooting, emphasizing how the emotional response to the finale was genuine and heartfelt.
As fans bid farewell to 1923, questions linger about the future of the series. While Sklenar has publicly stated that the show ends with Season 2, Paramount+ has yet to confirm or deny the possibility of a Season 3. The emotional finale leaves audiences with a sense of closure, yet also a yearning for more stories from the Dutton family.
In the end, 1923 has carved its place in the hearts of viewers, leaving a legacy of powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters. All episodes of the series are currently available to stream on Paramount+, allowing fans to revisit the emotional highs and lows of the Dutton family's journey.
