Episode 3 Of “1923” Ends With A Dutton’s Death

(Top Left) Yellowstone / Youtube / (Remaining Quarters) Paramount Plus / YouTube

The third episode of 1923 was released on Sunday (January 1). The episode was packed full of dramatic events, and ended with the death of one of the show’s main characters.

Consider this your spoiler warning for episode three of 1923, “The War Has Come Home.” DO NOT keep reading if you have not watched the episode yet and don’t want anything spoiled for you.

 

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The episode opens with the sheepherder, Banner, vowing to seek revenge on the Duttons. Unaware of his scheme, the Duttons head to Bozeman for a night of fun.

They leave the city the next morning. Jack drives the wagon, the ladies ride in the back, and Jacob and John ride their horses alongside. But their journey ends in bloodshed.

Banner’s men position themselves along the trail and open fire on the unsuspecting Duttons. Jack’s fiancée, Elizabeth, is shot in the stomach. While everyone else takes cover, Elizabeth is unable to leave the wagon. She’s left to fend for herself as the horses take off in fright. Jack eventually catches up with her, though he’s been wounded as well.

Jacob, John, Cara, and Emma stay behind and try to fend off Banner’s men. But things go from bad to worse when Banner himself shows up, and begins firing a Tommy gun at the Duttons.

The Duttons’ cowboys hear the gunfire and rush to help them. But when the battle ends, it’s revealed the one of the Duttons is beyond help. John is shot through the eye during the fight, and does not survive.

 

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Everyone rushes back to the ranch. Jacob isn’t in the best condition, and Cara fears that he will die as well. Although he is weak, Jacob gathers the strength to have a short talk with his wife, telling her Spencer (John’s brother) needs to come home from Africa so he can help his family.

The episode ends with Cara penning a letter to Spencer explaining the situation, saying:

“Spencer, your brother has been killed. By the time you receive this letter, I suppose your uncle has been killed as well. Your nephew has been wounded. This ranch and your legacy are in peril. War has descended on this place and your family. Whatever war you fight within yourself must wait. You must   come home and fight this one.”

 

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1923 is narrated by John and Spencer’s deceased older sister, Elsa Dutton. She was one of the main characters of 1883.

If you recall Elsa’s narration from the first episode of 1923, she said:

“My father had three children. Only one would live to see their own children grow. Only one would carry the fate of this family through the Depression and every other hell the 20th century hurled at them.”

Because John had a son (Jack), many fans assumed Elsa’s statement meant Spencer would die. But now that John is dead, perhaps Spencer is the “one” Dutton who will live to see his own children grow, and thus become the ancestor of Yellowstone‘s Dutton family.

Only time will tell what will happen on 1923 as new episodes unfold. Learn more about what to expect from the series by tuning in to the video below.