After seven incredible episodes, Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel, 1923, officially came to a dramatic, heartfelt and jaw-dropping close on Sunday, April 6, 2025. The two-hour finale episode—entitled “A Dream and a Memory”—was not only jam-packed with gun fights, death and romantic reunions, but it also gave viewers an answer to a question they had been wondering all season: “Who are John Dutton II’s parents?” We recap it all for you by breaking down who lived and died below.
Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford): Alive
After a long-awaited gunfight at the Livingston, Montana train station, Jacob Dutton not only made it out alive, but he also finally got to reunite with his nephew Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and meet his new niece-in-law, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer).
After that, Jacob returned home alive and well and is ready to begin “sitting on the porch” to “ponder the meaning of life.” His word’s not ours.
Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren): Alive
Like her husband, Cara Dutton survived the 1923 finale. This ending came after she fought from sunup to sundown defending the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch alongside Elizabeth Dutton (Michelle Randolph) and Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty).
Cara ends her journey on the porch with her husband and the newborn baby, John.
Spencer Dutton (Brandon Skelnar): Alive
After a very long and difficult journey, Spencer Dutton finally returns home to Montana, but first, he must reunite with his wife, Alexandra, whom he finds screaming on the side of the train track. The two briefly reconcile before he leaves her once again to defend the ranch.
Sadly, in that time, Alex’s frostbite takes over, and she eventually dies in Spencer’s arms—but not before telling him that she gave birth to their son and named him John after Spencer’s late brother.
Now a single dad, Spencer decides to live in Montana for the rest of his life. According to his sister Elsa’s (Isabel May) voiceover, he had one more son with a widow but never remarried. He died 45 years later and was reunited with Alex in heaven.
Alexandra “Alex” Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer): Dead
As mentioned above, Alexandra dies in the 1923 finale from frostbite. This comes after her dramatic reunion with Spencer and the birth of her son—whom she decided to let live instead of allowing the doctors to terminate the pregnancy so they could amputate her frozen legs and arms, a decision that eventually kills her.
Alexandra was buried on the Dutton Ranch, and according to Jacob, she was like “if a shooting star could talk.”
Elizabeth Dutton (Michelle Randolph): Alive
After the deadly battle for the Dutton Ranch that ended in Elizabeth shooting and killing several people, she learns that her husband Jack Dutton (Darren Mann) has died, causing the mother-to-be to decide that it’s time for her to leave Montana.
It is unclear where she chose to go, but since she was talking about going back to Boston, Massachusetts, it’s safe to say that’s where she ended up.
Elizabeth promised Cara that she would write and that she would love Jack for as long as she lived, to which Cara said it’s okay if she doesn’t because things and people can change and forget things over time.
Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves): Alive
Even though her entire family was killed in Episode 6, Teonna Rainwater somehow made it out alive. To make matters even better, she was finally found not guilty of murder, meaning that she is no longer a fugitive and can go wherever she wants and do whatever she wants.
Teonna did say that she plans to try California, but it is unclear if that’s where she ended up.
Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn): Dead
Banner Creighton was shot and killed in the battle at the train station, but based on how he was acting, it seemed like he knew that was going to happen. Upon arriving there, he talks to Jacob and tells him that no matter what happens to him, he just wants his wife, Ellie (Sarah Randall Hunt) and son, Henry, to get on the train and move to Oregon with all his money.
This eventually does happen—after Spencer helps get them on board—and Banner is then shot by Sheriff William McDowell (Robert Patrick). Viewers never see how Banner’s boss, Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) responds to this.
Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton): Dead
Speaking of Donald Whitfield, he also dies in the finale after Spencer and Jacob break into his house and shoot both him and his lover, Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers). The Dutton duo also burns down his house to hide any evidence. These actions also most likely help abolish Donald’s plans to turn Montana into a premiere skiing destination.
Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty): Alive
Thanks to his unwavering loyalty to the Duttons, Zane Davis, along with his wife and kids, did make it out alive! At the end of the episode, he is seen riding his horse with Spencer, and to be honest, the only complaint we have about this storyline is that we don’t get to see the two cattle ranches together for longer.
Jack Dutton (Darren Mann): Dead
Jack Dutton was tragically shot and killed by some of Banner’s men in Episode 6 while on his way to defend his uncle Spencer. His body was then found in Episode 7, and he was laid to rest next to Alex on the Dutton ranch.
Runs His Horse (Michael Spears): Dead
Like Jack, Runs His Horse was killed in Episode 6. However, he was shot by Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) while trying to help save his daughter, Teonna. His body was seen in Episode 7 and is believed to still be in the Texas desert.
Pete Plenty Clouds (Jeremy Gauna): Dead
Pete Plenty Clouds also died trying to protect Teonna, and like Run His Horse, his body remains in Texas. Pete Plenty Clouds was best known for being Teonna’s lover and was killed by Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane).
Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché): Dead
After seeing Father Renaud kill her father in Episode 6, Teonna decides it’s finally time she got her revenge on the priest that abused her. First, she burns his face with fire, then stabs him, and finally shoots him. Father Renaud’s body is also still in Texas and was seen in Episode 7.