1923 season 1 recap: All to remember before watching season 2

The American Western drama 1923 premiered on Paramount+ on December 18, 2022. The series started a rough time in the Dutton family's history and was both a prequel to Yellowstone and a follow-up to 1883. The much-anticipated season 2 is set to debut on February 23, 2025, promising a thrilling continuation.

Despite dealing with personal and group tragedies, Jacob and Cara Dutton lead their family as they protect their Montana ranch from outside threats. The story also covers Spencer Dutton's exciting trip through Africa and Teonna Rainwater's scary experiences at a Catholic-run boarding school.

The main cast of 1923 season 1 includes Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton, the resilient patriarch, and Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, the steadfast matriarch. Brandon Sklenar stars as Spencer Dutton, the adventurous younger son, with Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra, his partner. Darren Mann and Michelle Randolph portray Jack Dutton and Elizabeth, while Aminah Nieves plays the brave Teonna Rainwater.

It's important to know about 1923 season 1 to get a better sense of how the drama is developing. From Jacob Dutton's tough leadership to Spencer's risky return trip and the growing threat of enemies like Banner Creighton and Donald Whitfield, season 1 built a strong base. Both the plot and character arcs in season 1 set the stage for a thrilling continuation in season 2.

Looking into 1923 season 1 recap

A still from 1923 (Image via Paramount+)

Episode 1: 1923

In a dramatic flashforward at the start of the show, Cara Dutton kills a man who had attacked her family. The story then shows how hard it was for Jacob Dutton, the founder of Yellowstone Ranch, to deal with drought, locust infestations, and prohibition.

Jacob is in charge of a meeting of the Montana Livestock Association and rules against Banner Creighton, a Scottish rancher who breaks the law by grazing his sheep on Dutton land. At the same time, Spencer Dutton is shown working as a hunter in Africa to get away from the agony of World War I.

Back in Montana, Jack Dutton puts off his wedding to Elizabeth Strafford so that he can help with work on the ranch, which makes her family angry. Teonna Rainwater, a young Crow girl being abused at a Catholic boarding school, is also shown in this episode.

She retaliates against Sister Mary's harsh behavior, establishing the conditions for a bigger rebellion. As the episode comes to a close, tensions are rising, a sign of the tough times ahead for the Dutton family.

Episode 2: Nature's Empty Throne

At the outset of 1923 episode 2, Jacob has just saved Jack from Banner's men. In a quick act of frontier justice, Jacob kills five sheepherders, but Banner gets away. This incident makes the fight between the Duttons and the sheepherders even worse.

In Africa, Spencer barely makes it through a leopard attack. He meets Alexandra, a British aristocrat who wants to go on an adventure, and they quickly become close. Alexandra decides to leave her fiancé and go with Spencer's adventures. Back in Montana, Teonna's refusal to follow the rules at the boarding school keeps going. When her grandmother goes to the school to ask for custody, she is turned down.

The episode portrays how the Dutton family's problems worses as Jacob tries to keep things under control while tensions rise. It also presents the process of Spencer and Alexandra's growing relationship.

Episode 3: The War Has Come Home

When Banner gets back to the Dutton family, chaos breaks out. Banner and his men attack Jacob and his family as they are coming back from town in a planned ambush. John Dutton Sr. is killed, and Jacob's injuries are so bad that they could kill him. Elizabeth is also seriously hurt.

In a desperate letter to Spencer in Africa, Cara takes charge and begs him to return and protect the ranch. Even though she is disappointed, Cara seeks revenge by finding one of the gunmen and killing him. Spencer and Alexandra survive a scary elephant attack in Africa, which strengthens their bond.

Spencer approaches Alexandra to marry him, and she accepts. This episode raises the stakes for the Dutton family by showing how terrible the results of their fight with Banner will be.

Since Jacob can't find a way out, Cara has to take charge while the family waits anxiously for Spencer to return. The episode ends on a sad note, with the Duttons grieving their losses and getting ready for the fights to come.

Episode 4: War and the Turquoise Tide

After the ambush, the Dutton family is still dealing with the deaths of their loved ones. Jacob is stuck in bed, so Cara has to run the ranch and deal with political problems.

Banner teams up with mining mogul Donald Whitfield to get the resources he needs to keep fighting the Dutton family. Whitfield's wealth makes him an even bigger threat as he makes plans to take over the ranch.

At the same time, Teonna's temper flares at the boarding school. After being abused multiple times, she kills Sister Mary as an act of self-defense and runs away into the woods. Spencer and Alexandra have a short break in Africa before Spencer finally reads Cara's letter and learns of his family's dire situation.

Spencer starts making plans to go back to Montana because he wants to help. This episode combines the themes of strength, sacrifice, and survival for the Duttons as their enemies get stronger.

Episode 5: Ghost of Zebrina

While Jacob slowly gets better from his injuries, the Dutton ranch is still in a mess from 1923 episode 5. Emma, John's widow, gives up and kills herself, which eventually breaks up the family even more. As Elizabeth and Jack get closer, Elizabeth tells Jack she is pregnant, which gives everyone hope.

To return home, Spencer and Alexandra get on a tugboat in Africa. Unfortunately, their boat hits an abandoned ship and gets stuck at sea. When they arrive in Montana, Whitfield and Banner use legal and financial strategies to step up their efforts to take control of the Dutton lands.

Meanwhile, Teonna, now on the run, finds refuge with Hank Plenty Clouds, a Crow shepherd offering protection. The episode balances themes of loss and resilience, highlighting the challenges each character faces as they fight for survival. Spencer and Alexandra's fate is hanging in the balance at the end of the episode.

Episode 6: One Ocean Closer to Destiny

Spencer and Alexandra make it through the shipwreck and are saved by a passing ship. They tie the knot during their wedding on the ship.

At the same time, in Montana, Cara works with Sheriff McDowell to find livestock agents to handle Banner's growing conflict legally. Even though he is still weak, Jacob warns of Whitfield's growing power and the danger he poses to the ranch.

Hank helps Teonna continue her journey while she is dressed as a boy. He burns her old things to make sure no one discovers her escape. However, Whitfield's plans turn darker as he works harder to put the Dutton family out of business.

This penultimate episode of 1923 builds up to the climax and shows how strong the Dutton family is as they prepare for the fights that are to come.

Episode 7: The Rule of Five Hundred

A scene from 1923 (Image via Paramount+)

Although Jacob and Sheriff McDowell arrest Banner, Whitfield steps in and frees him. Banner becomes more audacious and vows to keep fighting the Duttons. Meanwhile, priests from the boarding school are after Teonna.

Hank saves Teonna, but the price of their victory is that Hank dies in the fight. Talking about their next steps, Teonna and her father, Runs His Horse, get back together. Spencer and Alexandra, now in Sicily, have a short, tranquil moment before running into Arthur, Alexandra's ex-boyfriend.

The Duttons' enemies start putting enormous pressure on them, and Teonna's journey highlights themes of justice and survival. The episode ends on a nail-biting cliffhanger, setting up a dramatic finale.

Episode 8: Nothing Left to Lose

The major storylines are concluded in the season finale, but there are still unanswered questions that will be addressed in season 2. Teonna is reunited with her father and Pete Plenty Clouds as they continue their escape. Banner is further emboldened by his release without bail.

Whitfield discloses his most catastrophic action to date, declaring that he has paid the Duttons' property taxes, thereby jeopardizing their land in the event that they are unable to reimburse him.

New challenges await Spencer and Alexandra as they sail on an ocean liner. Spencer is compelled to engage in a duel with Arthur, Alexandra's former fiancé, and ultimately emerges victorious. However, he is separated from Alexandra when she is returned to her family.

The 1923 season 1 finale ends with the Dutton family confronting an uncertain future due to Whitfield's imminent threat and Spencer's delayed return. The finale establishes the foundation for an intense and dramatic second season.

1923 is available to stream on Paramount+.

Edited by Ivanna Lalsangzuali