Taylor Sheridan’s successful Western drama 1923 is a prequel to Yellowstone and a sequel to 1883. The series stars Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, and others in a story that follows the Duttons in 1923. The family faces numerous challenges during the drought, Prohibition, and early stages of the Great Depression while trying to save their beloved ranch.
1923 is currently airing its second season, which premiered on February 23, 2025, and will conclude on April 13, 2025. The series has received a positive response from the critics and audience so far, but fans have a teeny tiny issue with a few characters’ development in season two.
Taylor Sheridan’s writing for Jack and Elizabeth Dutton 1923 Season 2 disappoints fans
Actress Michelle Randolph portrays the character of Elizabeth Dutton, who is married to Jack Dutton, played by Darren Mann, in Taylor Sheridan’s 1923. Elizabeth Dutton in season 2 has been introduced as struggling with the Montana winter, feeling isolated, hungry, and depressed. A rabid wolf and a mountain lion in the span of 2 episodes have attacked her, and it’s pretty much clear that the character is not built to survive a life on the ranch.
Elizabeth in episode 3 declares that she’s had enough of the ranch life and gives an ultimatum to her husband: to leave the ranch and join her in Boston or she goes alone. Jack Dutton, according to fans, has been nothing but disappointing as he keeps failing his wife, considering that the ranch always takes the upper hand. Fans of the show believe that where it’s a good quality that he wants to keep the legacy going, he should be considerate about his marriage and how his wife’s been struggling at the ranch as well.
Fans went on to compare Jack and Elizabeth to Jacob and Cara Dutton and Spencer and Alexandra Dutton. It has been noted that Cara Dutton, played by Helen Mirren, over the years has adjusted to life at the ranch and can look after herself, where Elizabeth cannot. She was not raised in the similar environment and thus often struggles. Jack Dutton’s and Jacob Dutton’s approach towards their marriage is very different and their dynamics with their wives.
As for Spencer and Alex, it has been shown that even though for Spencer the family legacy is important, he also prioritizes his wife. Now because the bloodline is going to continue, which now points to it being carried by Spencer and Alex, fans wonder why Taylor Sheridan tried to make them believe that it was going to continue with Jack and Elizabeth. A Reddit user wrote,
No disrespect to Mann and Randolph, who are probably really wonderful people… but they just don’t stand out at all against Ford and Mirren and especially Sklenar and Schalepfer. If Taylor wanted us to believe Jack and Liz are the Dutton bloodline, then why are they just so vanilla, chemistry-devoid, and boring?
Another user echoed the same sentiment and pointed out that it’s not the acting problem but the character. They added that it’s going to be frustrating if, after all this while, Spencer and Alex are not the ones to continue the bloodline.
Some pointed out that if Jack and Elizabeth were the bloodline, then why would the studios hire Brandon Sklenar, who looks like a younger, darker-haired version of Kevin Costner, if he isn’t his grandfather? Kevin Costner plays John Dutton III in Yellowstone.
A user pointed out that Jack Dutton’s character had no discerning traits, but Elizabeth had some major potential for a redeeming arc, but again, it was set to be boring.
Michelle Randolph talks about playing Elizabeth Dutton in 1923 Season 2
Actress Michelle Randolph, in her conversation with Decider, shared that her character is expected to act like a woman even though in the first three episodes of season 2 she is treated like a child. She shared when asked about the pep talk Cara Dutton gives her character;
It was very powerful. There was such high energy in that scene. She loses all sense of agency and is told what to do. There is so much expected of her, but she’s not allowed to act on her own. It’s very confusing. That was interesting to play with Helen.
The actress added that Cara Dutton’s putting her foot down hardens Elizabeth a bit as she manages to make her character see the reality. Upon asking if Jack Dutton is ready or preparing himself to do what it takes to make Elizabeth happy, Randolph shared that just like everyone else, her character is wondering the same thing.
She pointed that she has done so much for their relationship and to be a part of the Dutton family, and now they are at a point where she wants to see if he makes the same effort for her or not.
Michelle Randolph mentioned that according to her, their marriage will survive, adding that they are very trauma-bonded at this point, but above all, they genuinely do love each other. The actress shared that Taylor Sheridan had informed her that he’s going to put her character to a lot this season.
She shared that the creator of the show has put all characters through something in the second season of 1923, and fans will get to see the same.
1923 is streaming on Paramount+.
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