Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer) becomes just like Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) in 1923 season 2’s finale. Elsa is one of the first members of the Dutton family tree, introduced in Yellowstone’s earliest prequel, 1883. The story follows John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) ancestors as they make a northwest journey on the Oregon Trail from Texas to Montana, eventually settling in Paradise Valley, where they would establish the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Elsa narrates her family’s journey, closing the beginning and end of each chapter. Her story is one of Taylor Sheridan’s best, but also one of his saddest tales.
1883 concludes with Elsa’s death, passing away in her father, James Dutton’s (Tim McGraw), arms. The fearless, ambitious narrator, called “Lightning with the yellow hair” by her husband, Sam (Martin Sensmeier), therefore did not live to witness her brother, Spencer Dutton’s (Brandon Sklenar) story, which included fighting in World War I and eventually meeting his wife, Alexandra of Sussex, in Africa. The couple makes harrowing journeys after their separation at the end of 1923 season 1. After 1923 season 2’s finale, Alexandra and Spencer’s saga joins Elsa’s as one of Yellowstone’s saddest.
Alexandra Dutton Becomes Yellowstone’s New Elsa In 1923’s Finale
Alex’s Devastating 1923 Fate Matches Elsa Dutton’s 1883 Ending
In 1923 season 2, episode 7, Alexandra Dutton’s story comes to a dramatic and devastating conclusion. After making it to the edge of Montana with her friends, Paul (Augustus Prew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery), Alex was stranded in their motorcar on the side of the road. Alex’s friends froze to death. While it looked like her story could end the same way, Alex decided to fight for her life, eventually lighting the car on fire to flag down a passing train. Alex’s signal worked, alerting her husband, Spencer, who was on the passing locomotive, improbably yet serendipitously.
Despite reuniting with Spencer, Alex dies of hypothermia complications at the end of 1923 after delivering her baby prematurely at the hospital. The mother refuses to have her frostbitten limbs amputated, leaving Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) to raise her child. With her ill-fated conclusion, Alex’s fate adds to the list of shocking Dutton deaths, as she joins Elsa Dutton as another bright-spirited, light-haired character who would win over Yellowstone viewers’ hearts only to break them. Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph) wasn’t like Elsa in 1923, but Alexandra had Elsa’s brave-hearted qualities. Unfortunately, Sheridan made Alex the new Elsa, fully recreating her story.
Alex & Spencer Were Always A Tragic Romance In 1923
1923 Is About Alex And Spencer As Star-Crossed Lovers
Alex’s death emboldens the couple’s story as star-crossed lovers. After they wed in 1923 season 1, episode 6, Spencer tells Alex that in his heart, he knew it was wrong to take her. Dutton tells her that everything up to that point felt like a sign from the universe that they weren’t meant to be together, noting the horrible things that happened to Alex in 1923. Still, Spencer says he dreamed the universe was wrong. Alex tells Spencer at the bow of the ship that the universe has “absolutely no say whatsoever,” remarking to him that his dream came true.
However, Alex and Spencer’s love story in 1923 season 2 confirms that Spencer’s intuition was right. Both Alex and Spencer experience horrible circumstances in the show’s second season, pushing their tragic love story further rather than allowing the couple to reunite. The end of 1923 confirms the couple was never meant to be together, with Alex dying in Spencer’s arms as her limbs experience necrosis. While I’m glad that Spencer and his wife at least reunited before the latter met her fate, I still couldn’t believe that Taylor Sheridan would make Alex’s ending that tragic after overcoming every obstacle she faced.
Elsa Also Had A Tragic Romance That Wasn’t Meant To Be In 1883
But Elsa And Sam Never Reunited
Alexandra and Spencer’s 1923 story repeats Elsa Dutton’s tragedy in 1883, bringing even more resemblance to Alex and Elsa. While traveling through Comanche Territory with her family, Elsa meets a warrior named Sam. After competing in a horse race, Elsa and Sam fall in love, eventually deciding to wed and spend their lives together. However, Elsa’s family’s journey complicates her starting her life as an adult, and her mother, Margaret (Faith Hill), convinces her to complete the family’s trek to Oregon. Sadly, Elsa is shot with an infected arrow before the journey ends, barring the couple from their reunion.
At least Alex and Spencer reunited and said goodbye before it ended.
Alexandra and Spencer similarly wed in an impromptu ceremony, but are divided just as they begin to start their life together. The parallel stories make Alex’s sad saga even more comparable to Elsa’s story. At least Alex and Spencer reunited and said goodbye before it ended. Still, I preferred Elsa and Sam’s story, which was short-lived but had me hooked at every moment. Something about Alex and Spencer’s reunion felt rushed after we watched them struggle to be together. Still, Alex and Spencer’s Titanic-style ending in 1923 was redeeming, emulating Elsa meeting Sam in her version of heaven.