Sadly, many awful things have happened to Elizabeth Strafford (Michelle Randolph) in 1923. When Elizabeth moves to the Yellowstone Ranch in 1923 season 1, it’s a rude awakening for the city girl, especially as she encounters a series of less-than-ideal circumstances. While Elizabeth grew up on the Strafford Ranch, she spent the harsh Montana winters in East Coast cities like Boston. Therefore, Elizabeth doesn’t have the same knack for the outdoors as her husband, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann).
1923’s season 2 worsens things for Elizabeth, pushing her to an understandable breaking point. While she has committed to Jack and tried to adapt to his lifestyle, winter has pushed the Dutton family harder than usual. Elizabeth threatens to leave the ranch after the events in 1923 season 2, episode 2, “The Rapist Is Winter,” after a potentially rabid wolf bites Elizabeth, and she is forced to get shots in her stomach. Still, Elizabeth’s awful luck dates back to 1923 season 1.
10
Jack Abandons Elizabeth For The Cattle
1923 season 1, episode 1, “1923”
In 1923’s series premiere, Elizabeth’s story starts with Jack leaving her for two weeks to drive the cattle up the mountain. Resources are sparse as the Great Depression takes hold of Montana, and Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) takes the cattle to higher pastures so they can graze on the grass there. However, this plan significantly affects Elizabeth, and she doesn’t accept Jack’s explanation for why she has to be the one to make adjustments rather than the cattle.
Horrible things happen to Elizabeth that she can’t control, but she starts with a low tolerance for ranch life.
When Jack tries to reason with Elizabeth, saying he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary, she gives him a rather vulgar suggestion and then enters her parents’ house in a flurry. Then, moments later, Elizabeth returns to scream in Jack’s face. The scene sets the tone for Randolph’s character. Horrible things happen to Elizabeth that she can’t control, but she starts with a low tolerance for ranch life. Her lack of knowing what to expect contributes to her struggle to adapt to the lifestyle.
9
Elizabeth Has To Postpone Her Wedding
1923 season 1, episode 1, “1923”
Elizabeth is mainly upset about Jack’s trip up the mountain because it affects their wedding. Jack and Elizabeth’s wedding is coming up on Saturday. However, the plan to drive the cattle up the mountain, which could take a week or two, affects that. In their conversation on the porch, Elizabeth’s vulgar threat is telling Jack to marry one of the cows he’s taking up the hill if they’re so important, adding that he should have a honeymoon when he reaches the top.
When Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) hears about Jack’s dilemma, she intervenes, showing up at the Strafford Ranch. Jack’s aunt tells Elizabeth that she must want more than Jack and must also desire the lifestyle. Elizabeth tells Cara that she doesn’t know the lifestyle but that Jack “makes her dizzy,” and she wants to learn. Eventually, Cara convinces Elizabeth that the deal isn’t so bad, with Liz agreeing to postpone her wedding by two weeks. Still, other events eventually worsen Elizabeth’s end of the agreement.
8
Elizabeth Gets Shot By Banner’s Army
1923 season 1, episode 3, “The War Has Come Home,”
When Jack, Jacob, and the cowboys drive their cows up the mountain, Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) is also feeding his sheep in higher pastures, and a range war breaks out as Banner’s men shoot at Jack while he’s unarmed. In addition to hanging Banner and his men, as Elizabeth’s father suggests, Jacob Dutton gives Banner a chance to live, leaving the men in nooses on the backs of their horses. Ultimately, Banner is the only one to survive, and he plans a more extensive attack.
Elizabeth’s clean white dress, contrasting with the deep red blood of her gunshot wound, highlights how gruesome and out-of-place the attack was.
In 1923 season 1, episode 3, “The War Has Come Home,” Jacob takes his family to town to inform the sheriff of the attack. On the way home, Banner and his remaining men attack Jacob, John (James Badge Dale), Bob Strafford (Tim DeKay), and their families. During the attack, Elizabeth is shot in her stomach while riding in the buggy, and she’s the first wounded. Elizabeth’s clean white dress, contrasting with the deep red blood of her gunshot wound, highlights how gruesome and out-of-place the attack was.
7
Elizabeth’s Father Dies
1923 season 1, episode 3, “The War Has Come Home,”
Surely adding to the grief she experiences in 1923 season 2, Elizabeth’s father also dies in Banner’s attack in 1923 season 1. Elizabeth runs for her life after being first shot by Banner and his men. She and Jack run and hide behind a rock while the other men engage in a shoot-out. Eventually, when the gunfire ceases, it’s revealed that while some of the Duttons made it, Banner’s men killed both Jack and Elizabeth’s fathers, John Dutton and Bob Strafford.
Bob Strafford was riding with the cowboys because his cattle were also involved in the fiasco. Bob’s fatal injury causes a significant rift in Elizabeth’s life. Therefore, not only does Jack’s fiancée suffer personal wounds in the attack on her stomach, but she also must heal from the emotional wounds caused by her father’s death. At this moment in 1923 season 1, much was changing for Elizabeth, whether it was fully realized amid the other exciting plot points.
6
Elizabeth’s Mother Abandons Her
1923 Season 1, Episode 4, “War and the Turquoise Tide”
After she hears her daughter has been shot, Elizabeth’s mother, Beverly Strafford (Jessalyn Gilsig), comes to take her home. Beverly Strafford also lost her husband, Bob Strafford, in the attack, so she is understandably upset when she arrives at the ranch, greeted by Cara. Elizabeth’s mother is devastated by her daughter’s condition and wants to get her to a hospital in the East, telling her that she’ll get her to Livingston, Montana, and then on a train. The suggestion alarms Elizabeth and all involved.
When Cara reveals to Beverly that her daughter wants to stay at the ranch, the mother leaves without saying goodbye.
Neither Jack nor Cara take the suggestion well. Cara tells Elizabeth it’s her choice, and the ranch is her home if she wants to live there. When Cara reveals to Beverly that her daughter wants to stay at the ranch, the mother leaves without saying goodbye. Therefore, Elizabeth loses both of her parents within a matter of moments, despite having a complete family just days before. In 1923 season 1, episode 5, Elizabeth calls herself an orphan, comparing herself to her husband, who also lost his parents.
5
Elizabeth’s Mother Permanently Cancels Her Wedding
1923 Season 1, Episode 4, “War and the Turquoise Tide”
The attack also compromised Elizabeth and Jack’s wedding. When Beverly reveals her plan to take her daughter home, Elizabeth asks how the plan will affect her and Jack’s wedding. Beverly then reveals that Elizabeth’s hope of a wedding died with her father. She tells Jack that if he still wants her daughter’s hand in marriage, he’ll pack his things and join them in Boston. However, Jack, of course, refuses, saying the ranch is his home.
On top of losing her parents and receiving a gruesome injury, Elizabeth also misses out on the chance of a proper wedding after Banner’s attack. Elizabeth tells Jack and Cara that she wants to live on the ranch despite the cancelation of her wedding, signing onto ranch life during a turbulent time. Therefore, the moment Elizabeth loses everything is her catalyst for life on the ranch. It’s easy to understand why Elizabeth is shaken up in 1923 season 2 in the context of season 1.
4
Jack Ignores Elizabeth After The Attack
1923 season 1, episode 5, “Ghost of Zebrina”
Jack is struggling after Banner Creighton’s attack, which killed his father. The attack also took his mother, Emma Dutton (Marley Shelton), since she shot herself shortly after losing her husband. Therefore, Jack is angry at Banner. However, Jacob tells his nephew that Jack is not ready to lead their people against their enemy. Jack is furious about the situation, which causes him to throw a glass at the wall and catches Elizabeth’s attention.
Elizabeth tells Jack that she chooses not to hate Banner to keep room in her heart to love him.
Elizabeth confronts her husband, saying their life isn’t what he promised. Despite things changing rapidly for Jack, Jack’s sweetheart points out that she has just as many reasons to be upset. However, Elizabeth tells Jack that she chooses not to hate Banner to keep room in her heart to love him. Jack stages an impromptu wedding between them, hearing how upset Elizabeth is. Therefore, Elizabeth owning her despair at this moment led to a good outcome.
3
Elizabeth Loses Her Baby
1923 season 1, episode 8, “Nothing Left to Lose”
In 1923 season 1, episode 6, “One Ocean Closer To Destiny,” Elizabeth reveals that she is pregnant despite her injury. As they lay in bed, Elizabeth recounts to her husband why she knows her body is making a child. She tells Jack about her missed period and that she feels dizzy and nauseous. However, in 1923 season 1, episode 8, Jack finds Elizabeth in the tub, remarking that her belly hurts and wearing a towel over her eyes.
When Jack leaves to get Elizabeth some soda water, she experiences a jolt of pain and then sits up to find blood in the bath, indicating that she has miscarried her baby. When he arrives, Dr. Miller (Mark Daneri) confirms she “flushed the baby,” leading to perhaps Elizabeth’s greatest tragedy. Despite the trauma, the loss is pivotal for Jack and Elizabeth. He first tells her, “Things weren’t right,” and nature cared for her, and commits himself to Elizabeth regardless of whether she can have kids.
Some believe that Elizabeth can’t have children but that Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schleapfer) will die, leaving Elizabeth to raise her child.
Elizabeth losing her baby could be a significant plot point in 1923 season 2. Some believe that Elizabeth can’t have children but that Alexandra Dutton (Julia Schleapfer) will die, leaving Elizabeth to raise her child. Jack and Elizabeth’s scene in 1923 season 1, episode 8, causes fans to think so. Elizabeth tells Jack she doesn’t have a purpose if she doesn’t have children. However, Jack compares Liz to his aunt Cara, who also didn’t have children, telling his wife, “I look at my aunt and all I see is purpose.”
2
A Rogue Wolf Bites Elizabeth
1923 season 2, episode 2, “The Rapist Is Winter”
Things didn’t improve for Elizabeth in 1923 season 2. Overall, the season has graver tones for each Dutton family member. Elizabeth stays with Cara, Jacob, and Jack at the ranch. Unfortunately, while Jack and Jacob are in town for Zane’s (Brian Geraghty) trial, facing a grave matter, Elizabeth is bitten by a wolf when collecting eggs from the chicken coop. Despite Elizabeth’s quick thinking and fast action, locking the wolf in the coup, the wolf rushes after Liz and manages to bite her ankle before a cowboy shoots it.
The wolf attack happened after an encounter with a mountain lion in 1923 season 2, episode 1, so Elizabeth has certainly had her fill of life-threatening experiences at the Yellowstone Ranch. Luckily, Elizabeth is rushed home by a cowboy in a buggy. Still, winter has brought Elizabeth a new set of circumstances that make things even harder. Elizabeth is relatively unshaken by the wolf bite, but what comes next appears to be the new Dutton’s final straw.
1
Dr. Miller & Cara Force Elizabeth To Receive Rabies Shots
1923 season 2, episode 2, “The Rapist Is Winter”
Things worsen after the wolf bite, as Dr. Miller and Cara force Elizabeth to receive rabies shots. Elizabeth is recovering on the couch in her nightgown when Dr. Miller arrives. He takes a good look at her bite and then plots a course for rabies shots. When she discovers that the shots are going in her stomach, an area of her body that has already experienced two traumas, Elizabeth protests, kicking and screaming, which forces Dr. Miller and company to hold Liz down and get the shots forcibly.
To worsen things, Dr. Miller says that the wolf probably wasn’t rabid but that they couldn’t take their chances. Dr. Miller and Cara change their stance in 1923 season 2, episode 3, saying the wolf was probably rabid, but the momentary doubt makes things worse as Elizabeth resists the treatment. Unfortunately, her erratic behavior only convinces everyone to act more swiftly since rabies can cause irrational, violent behavior in humans, like the animals it affects.