1923’s season 2’s premiere felt reminiscent of an unforgettable aspect of Yellowstone, and I hope it carries on in some capacity through the remainder of the series. Brandon Sklenar plays Spencer Dutton in 1923’s cast, and in a universe that includes John Dutton III, Rip Wheeler, and many more, Spencer manages to be one of the toughest characters we’ve seen. We’ve seen him kill leopards, lions, and sharks, and now he’s getting in the business of hand-to-hand combat, hoping to earn enough money to afford a train back to Montana.
Unlike Yellowstone, which takes place primarily on the Dutton ranch and surrounding areas of Montana, 1923’s story so far has partially transpired overseas. Spencer Dutton and his now wife, Alex Dutton, spent much of season 1 in Africa, and they’re now taking separate journeys from Europe to reunite in America. The journey will be perilous for both, but that’s part of what makes the Yellowstone prequels so compelling. The modern-day Duttons in Yellowstone experience danger, but the threats aren’t nearly as consistent as they were in the ranch’s early days.
Spencer Dutton Participates In Organized Fights On His Ship To America
This Narrative Is Reminiscent Of The Yellowstone Brawls
1923 season 2, episode 1’s ending saw Spencer Dutton and his new companion, Luca, develop a scheme to generate income while on the ship overseas. Spencer needs money for his train ride to Montana, and he’s begun betting on fights to get him there. He’s won so far, generating some quick income, but it seems doubtful that matters will continue to be easy for the Dutton heir. Regardless, the fist fights immediately reminded me of the organized brawls on the ranch in Yellowstone.
The fights between Lloyd and Walker, Rip and Kayce, and Beth and Summer were some of the most brutal confrontations in the entire show, seeing characters settle matters with their fists. The fights Spencer is partaking in aren’t quite as dramatic on a personal level, as we don’t know the people he’s knocking down. That said, it still demonstrates critical aspects of the toughness required to be a Dutton.
What Yellowstone & 1923’s Fist Fights Say About The Duttons
The Duttons Aren’t The Most Civilized Family
Be it 1923 or Yellowstone, the Dutton family lives in a Wild West among civilized society. Fist fights aren’t just entertainment action in these shows; they’re a demonstration of a way of life. Dutton tradition is to defend the family land with sweat and blood and to lead the ranch; one requires a particular grit and toughness. Spencer Dutton is the ideal leader over someone like Jack because he’s controlled but can also get down in the mud, showing just how primal the Dutton family really is despite all their wealth and land.
