Taylor Sheridan’s main juggernaut ‘Yellowstone’ focuses on the clash between the old ways and the new. ‘1923’ asks the question: What was life for the Dutton family like 100 years ago?
Leading duo Helen Mirren & Harrison Ford bring the star power to this Paramount+ spin off, as prolific creator Taylor Sheridan shares another vision of the early years for the Dutton family. We first met some Dutton ancestors in previous spin-off 1883, and threads from 1883 continue here via Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) providing the narration for 1923. “Violence has always haunted this family,” she warns in the introduction, a clear indication of what’s to come.
Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) is a gruff, no-nonsense Livestock Commissioner. The brother of James Dutton (1883), Jacob’s nature and way of doing things is very similar to the present day John Dutton III. Almost a copy-and-paste, in a sense. Like John, Jacob’s struggle is land ownership. A clash with neighbouring sheep farmers lead by Banner (Jerome Flynn) sets up a conflict arc for the first few episodes, at least – if not the full season. With other challenges of the times such as Prohibition, locust swarms and the Great Depression present, it seems Jacob will have a tough season.
We first meet Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) during a stand-off with a man who seems unknown to her. Cara’s Irish accent shines through, showing authenticity to the times where many had not long arrived on American soil. Her proud, fierce nature is our first impression of her, and it’s not unlike the fiery ways of Beth Dutton. It’s clear Cara will do anything to protect her family, even killing a man. I hope to see more screentime for Mirren in future episodes. She plays “ranch wife” well, but she’s capable of so much more than that.
Jacob and Cara are the heads of the family which also includes their nephews Jack (Darren Mann), John Dutton Sr. (James Badge Dale), and Spencer (Brandon Sklenar). Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) is Jack’s bride-to-be. Cara and Elizabeth have a great friendship, banding together as women of the land and doing their best to care for the men they love.
Spencer is a bit of a wildcard – he’s not on the ranch. He’s not even in the country. He’s in the African wilderness, hunting predators with the help of two local friends. It’s clear from his dreams and mannerisms he struggles with PTSD from his stint in the war, and perhaps is why he prefers to be as far from home as possible. I hope we see him return home and interact with his family, instead of continuing on a somewhat disconnected arc for the full season.
Another unexpected plotline is that of the local Catholic boarding school – Native American teen Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) suffers at the hands of vicious nun, Sister Mary (Jennifer Ehle) who in turn is kept in line by a cruel headmaster, Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché). At first I was somewhat puzzled as to what the school had to do with the ranch, but like the history of the Duttons, I’m pleased to see the history and plight of the Rainwater family is also shown – though we don’t need to see Teonna constantly mistreated every week.
So, what have we learned about lives of the Dutton family, 100 years ago? The answer: Not much has changed. Same struggles, different era. With many battles ahead of them, I’m intrigued to see what happens next to this generation of the Dutton clan – and how many of them make it through the first season alive.
The first episode of 1923 is available now on Paramount+.
