1923 fans have reason to believe something awful will happen to Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) bride after Alexandra of Sussex’s (Julia Schleapfer) harrowing experience at Ellis Island, and that’s aside from a sinister stranger following her into the ladies’ room. Spencer and Alex were supposed to arrive in the United States as a married couple. However, the lovers separated following Spencer’s deadly encounter with Arthur (Rafe Soule), prompted by Alex and Spencer’s traveling on one of the King’s British liners to London. In 1923 season 2, Alex and Spencer’s separate journeys to Bozeman, Montana, have been disheartening.
The 1923 characters’ whirlwind romance began in 1923 season 1. Spencer met Alexandra at a hotel bar in Nairobi between hunting excursions. After their star-crossed encounter, Spencer agreed to whisk Alexandra of Sussex away as the hunter traveled to Tanganyika for another kill. While in Africa, Spencer and Alex fall deeply in love, which leads them to read Spencer’s aunt Cara’s (Helen Mirren) letters, which tell him to come home immediately. They get married in a serendipitous, magical ceremony on their journey to America. Unfortunately, the Captain who married Alex and Spencer issued a grave warning relevant to Alex’s story.
Alexandra Processes Through Immigration At Ellis Island In 1923 Season 2, Episode 3
Alex Passes Through Ellis Island As An American Immigrant
Due to separating from Spencer in 1923 season 1’s ending, Alexandra passes through immigration on Ellis Island to enter the United States. When arriving in New York Harbor, Alex is unaware she must meet with U.S. Immigration officers. Alex wonders why she isn’t free to wander the city like the others, and she’s told it’s because she didn’t secure her travel documents at the U.S. Embassy in London. Marrying in international waters, Alex and Spencer made arrangements so that Spencer’s British lover wouldn’t have to pass through immigration on their way to America.
Without her partner by her side, Alexandra bravely pushes on through U.S. Immigration. While the entire experience is unpleasant, the worst part by far is Alexandra’s dehumanizing medical examination, where they find out she is pregnant. The moment reminded me of Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 prequel when Shea Banner (Sam Elliott) inspected his wagon train members for smallpox before departure. The connection reminded me that, while dehumanizing, it was, of course, necessary to screen people for disease, especially before a more modern system of medicine. Moreover, Alex was warned of the impending threat in 1923 season 1.
What 1923 Season 1, Episode 6 Foreshadows About Ellis Island
Ellis Island Is A “Cesspool Of Disease”
The first chapter of Alex and Spencer’s love story forecasts something grave and ominous lurking within the U.S. Immigration office, and it’s even more threatening and invasive than what Alexandra of Sussex has already encountered. After being shipwrecked in a deteriorating tugboat in international waters, Alex and Spencer are rescued by a substantial liner, whose Captain sends a rescue crew by dingy to save the stranded couple. When talking over glasses of whiskey upon rescue, the Captain warns Alex and Spencer, saying they are heading for Marseille, France, and asking about their intended destination.
The Captain presented the Gulf Shore ports as alternatives to Ellis Island, noting that it’s a “cesspool of disease.”
When Spencer tells him they are heading to Montana, the Captain recommends the Port of Galveston or Port Arthur in the Gulf. The Captain presented the Gulf Shore ports as alternatives to Ellis Island, noting that it’s a “cesspool of disease.” While Spencer makes it to the port in Galveston, Alexandra navigates the country’s most famous immigrant hub. However, based on the Captain’s comments in 1923 season 1, Alex could come down with a serious illness or disease after passing through Ellis Island, which would put her and the baby at risk.
Will Alexandra Dutton Reunite With Spencer Dutton In Montana?
After 1923 Season 2, Episode 3, They Must
Anyone witnessing 1923’s second season unfold has likely pondered the odds of Spencer and Alex’s reuniting. After watching 1923 season 2, episode 3, I feel less confident than ever that the couple will have a happy ending. Things have been genuinely terrifying for Alexandra since she was separated from Spencer, maintaining little to no control over the outcome of her journey. Still, Alex’s struggle in 1923 season 2, episode 3, “Wrap Thee in Terror,” also gives me reason to hope she survives. It could be that Alex’s journey has been awful for a purpose.
If Alex and Spencer reunite in 1923, it will be all the more rewarding to witness after watching the British noble’s harrowing journey. Rather than comfortably make her way by boat and train, Alex Dutton’s journey is true to how difficult it would be for someone in her position to make it from London to Bozeman alone 100 years ago. Alex scraping by to get to Montana and never making it would be devastating. However, if her harrowing journey leads to a reunion with Spencer, the struggle will be worth it, creating a great ending.