After the Shocking Season 2 Finale of ‘1923,’ My 1944 Theory About Elizabeth and the Duttons Won’t Quit Haunting Me

After
not receiving confirmation regarding the Dutton clan
tree in
1923,
I’ve been thinking a lot about why. This has led to a whole bunch of theorizing on my end, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this lack of verification comes down to the role Michelle Randolph’s Elizabeth could play in the
upcoming
Yellowstone
show
,
1944
.

First, let’s clarify the facts before diving into this theory. In the second-to-last episode,
1923’s
second season,
Jack Dutton died
, turning Elizabeth into a widow. As far as we understand, she is expecting a child. Consequently, after leaving the Dutton ranch at the end of Season 2, she was alone and carrying a baby. Thus, there is room for speculation regarding how she and her offspring might fit into the Dutton family tree and solve the lingering question about who among these characters could be the grandparents of Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton.

I believe Elizabeth might name her child John and go back to the Yellowstone with him.

Therefore, I—like the inexperienced viewer I was—had thought that Alex naming her baby John just before passing away confirmed that she and Spencer were indeed the grandparents.
Yellowstone’s
John Dutton. Nevertheless, out of those four, only one is different.
1923
cast
The members involved in this mystery essentially said to me, “Hold your horses.”

Michelle Randolph explicitly assured me “with confidence” that this birth did not confirm anything. During an interview, she stated:

This statement led me to think two things:

1. 
   Elizabeth could also name her baby John, after Jack’s dad.
   
2. 
   Elizabeth could return to the Yellowstone with her kid in
   
   
   1944
   
   
   .
   

While it feels a bit silly for two babies who are born around the same time in the same family to be named John, it’s not illogical. Spencer and Elizabeth have deep connections to John (he was Spencer’s brother and Elizabeth’s father-in-law), so it’d make sense for them to both want to use his name.

Additionally, Elizabeth did not give birth to her child in Montana (at least as far as we understand); she departed before this occurred. Thus, it makes sense that she might never have considered returning. Consequently, when naming her son John, she probably figured there was little chance he’d cross paths with Spencer and Alex’s offspring.

Now, with this door about lineage still wide open, I think Elizabeth could return to the ranch with her child, meaning there could be two Johns. Maybe she is passionate about them learning where their father came from. Maybe she wants them to be connected to the Duttons. Maybe she wants them to fight for their right to the ranch.

It’s all or nothing regarding what might occur. Nevertheless, I believe it’s feasible that Randolph’s character
could return in
1944
with her kid named John to play a pivotal role in the Yellowstone’s future.

What If Elizabeth Is Spencer’s Widow Mentioned At The End Of 1923’s Season 2 Finale?

So, we have the wrinkle that Elizabeth could return to the ranch with her John. However, I think it could get more complex than that. At the end of
1923
(which you can stream with a
Paramount+ subscription
), Elsa’s voiceover tells us exactly how Spencer lived out the rest of his life after Alex died.

Specifically, she mentioned that he never remarried, but he had another child with a fellow widow, explaining:

Now, again, Elizabeth having a baby with Spencer feels unlikely.

Take a moment to consider this though. Elizabeth might be the sole individual capable of truly grasping what Spencer endured, as both experienced immense losses towards the close of Season 2. They may have opted to stay together merely for solace and practicality rather than genuine affection. Perhaps they decide jointly to parent their children, yet their partnership fails to sustain itself over time.

That would also put another Dutton in the next generation who has a claim to the land, and it adds an interesting level of complexity to the family tree. And that, my friends, is what leads me to the wildest part of this theory about Elizabeth.

If Elizabeth Comes Back, And Either Or Both of These Scenarios Occur, It Might Lead to a Dutton Family Conflict.

I believe it would be awesome if
1944
centered around a dispute inside the family rather than the Duttons facing an external threat. Although I understand that Jamie introduced this type of conflict akin to a civil war.
Yellowstone
In every situation, there was consistently another external force exerting effort to bring the family down. For this new series, I envision it as entirely a conflict between the Duttons themselves, with Elizabeth being crucial for achieving this dynamic.

I believe it’s entirely feasible that she might return accompanied by her son, who would probably be around 20 years old or more.
1944
They might also desire the land that Jack defended with his life. Should her offspring truly be called John, I believe such conflicts could intensify further, since one of them would end up being the single patriarch passing down the property to Kevin Costner’s character, John.

Additionally, if there are three children involved, each with a stake in the property, it would be intriguing to observe how they decide who ends up with the land. Should my hypothesis prove correct that the widow is actually Elizabeth, this could heighten tensions further since she will eventually vanish from the scene.

In addition, during the Season 2 finale, just prior to Spencer murdering Whitfield, Jacob made a statement suggesting that tourism or external businesses wouldn’t affect the Dutton family for at least one more generation. He mentioned this notion.

So, if that’s true, what kind of enemy could they possibly face? Someone within the family seems like a great answer.

Overall, I think Elizabeth coming back and either her or her kid/kids trying to stake claim on the land against Spencer and Alex’s son would be a great concept for a TV show. It’d also be a fascinating continuation of
1923
that bridges the gap between that generation of Duttons and
Yellowstone’s.

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