Everyone who watched 1923 can agree on three things. First, a review of Season 2 needs to criticize Donald Whitfield’s appalling bedroom behavior.

Second, a review of Season 2 needs to praise the actors, especially Julia Schlaepfer (Alex). If there is one person who deserves an award, it’s her, but Jerome Flynn (Banner Creighton), Helen Mirren (Cara Dutton) and Harrison Ford (Jacob Dutton) were also tremendous.

Finally, an honest review needs to reconcile the — we won’t call ’em plot holes — unanswered questions.

How you make soup with those ingredients is up to you, but in the end, you should come up with a letter grade for this second season of the Yellowstone prequel. The Dutton Rules podcast team is ready to share theirs.

Throughout Season 2, Billy Dukes and Adison Haager have enjoyed a deep conversation about 1923 and its ties to 1883 and Yellowstone. Fan theories have been encouraged (the wilder the better), and respectful criticism was welcome. Thousands listened to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or other audio streaming devices.

Hundreds of thousands enjoyed condensed versions of the pod on YouTube each week. It’s all added up to thousands of comments and emails, which were included as often as possible.

“Taylor’s writing this season was terrible and lazy and in some respects formulated,” says @ehickey1202 on YouTube, leaving a ‘C’ grade. Conversely …

“I loved the finale” shouts @msdanielSJD. “Every single moment of it. I screamed and laughed and cried. It all made sense and makes me want the next installment.”

Sterling Whitaker also joins the show for this bonus podcast episode. He’s been writing the weekly 1923 recaps and is as integral to the discourse as anyone on staff at Taste of Country. Let’s start with him.

1923 Season 2 Review, Sterling Whitaker

1923 Season 2: A Land of Stunning Performances Adrift in Narrative Uncertainty

The Dutton Rules podcast team has convened, the digital campfire crackling with the embers of Season 2 of the Yellowstone prequel, 1923. After weeks of deep dives, wild fan theories, and respectful critiques shared with thousands across audio platforms and YouTube, the time has come to render judgment. Our task, as laid out, is a peculiar one: to weave a review incorporating the undeniable horror of Donald Whitfield’s bedroom antics, the luminous brilliance of the acting ensemble (particularly Julia Schlaepfer’s Alex), the commendable performances of Jerome Flynn, Helen Mirren, and Harrison Ford, and finally, the nagging presence of those…unanswered questions. The soup is brewed, the flavors potent and occasionally clashing. Here’s our take.

Sterling Whitaker, our resident 1923 recapper and a vital voice in this season’s discourse, steps up first.

Sterling Whitaker’s Verdict:

Season 2 of 1923 is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey, largely carried by the exceptional performances of its cast. Julia Schlaepfer as Alex continues to be a revelation, imbuing her character with a fiery spirit and heartbreaking vulnerability. Her scenes, particularly those navigating the complexities of her relationship with Spencer, are often the season’s highlights. Schlaepfer deserves serious awards consideration for her captivating portrayal.

The seasoned powerhouses, Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, as Cara and Jacob Dutton, continue to anchor the narrative with their gravitas and nuanced portrayals of resilience in the face of relentless adversity. Their quiet moments of connection are as impactful as their fierce defense of their land and family. Jerome Flynn’s portrayal of Banner Creighton remains a masterclass in simmering resentment and villainous ambition, a constant thorn in the Duttons’ side.

However, the season is not without its significant drawbacks. The narrative often feels stretched thin, and while the individual performances are captivating, the overarching plot sometimes meanders, leaving crucial threads dangling. The handling of Donald Whitfield’s character, particularly his disturbing bedroom behavior, feels gratuitous and adds little to the overall narrative beyond shock value. It’s a jarring element that clashes with the more nuanced storytelling elsewhere.

Furthermore, the season introduces several intriguing plot points and character arcs that ultimately feel underdeveloped or unresolved by the finale. These aren’t necessarily gaping plot holes, but rather unanswered questions that leave the viewer feeling somewhat unsatisfied. The motivations behind certain character actions and the ultimate fates of some key players remain frustratingly ambiguous.