Key Points:
- 1923 Season 1 takes place in late 1923, while 1923 Season 2 is set in early 1924, confirmed through narrative clues.
- The harsh Montana winter and tax deadlines set by Donald Whitfield drive Season 2’s escalating tension.
- Spencer Dutton’s delayed return and Alexandra’s travel obstacles highlight the shifting timeline and stakes.
When Does 1923 Season 1 Take Place?
1923 Season 1 is firmly set in the titular year, beginning in the late summer or early autumn of 1923. Early episodes depict warm Montana weather, with Elizabeth Strafford wearing summer dresses. However, as the season progresses, colder temperatures set in, signifying the transition into autumn and winter.
By Episode 4, “War and the Turquoise Tide,” characters begin layering in heavier clothing, indicating a seasonal shift. Spencer Dutton even remarks that “Montana only has three seasons: July, August, and winter.” The season finale further confirms the passage of time as Donald Whitfield informs Jacob Dutton that he has paid the overdue taxes on the ranch, a deadline typically tied to the end of the year.
1923 Timeline Breakdown
| Year | Event | Significance | Season & Setting Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 | James and Margaret Dutton settle in Montana, founding the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. | Establishes the Dutton legacy; James dies in 1893, Margaret in 1894, leaving Jacob and Cara in charge. | Precedes 1923; shown in 1883 series. |
| 1894 | Jacob and Cara Dutton arrive to raise John Sr. and Spencer after Margaret’s death. | Jacob becomes the patriarch, beginning the ranch’s expansion into an empire. | Backstory for 1923. |
| 1914-1918 | Spencer Dutton fights in World War I, later becoming a hunter in Africa. | Shapes Spencer’s absence from the ranch, setting up his Season 1 arc. | Pre-1923 context. |
| 1923 | Jacob Dutton is Livestock Commissioner; drought and locusts threaten the ranch. | Introduces conflict with Banner Creighton and Donald Whitfield over grazing rights and taxes. | 1923 Season 1: Main setting. |
| 1923 (Late) | Whitfield pays the ranch’s back taxes, giving the Duttons one year to repay or lose it. | Sets up a financial ticking clock for the Duttons, escalating stakes into Season 2. | 1923 Season 1 finale. |
| 1923 (Late) | Spencer meets Alexandra in Africa and begins his journey back to Montana. | Initiates Spencer’s return arc, delayed by travel, to aid the family. | 1923 Season 1: Spencer’s subplot. |
| 1924 (Early) | Harsh winter hits Montana; Jacob and Cara face new challenges on the ranch. | Winter exacerbates the Duttons’ struggles; taxes remain a looming threat. | 1923 Season 2: Primary setting (episodes 1-6). |
| 1924 (Spring) | Alexandra’s train is delayed by snow in Chicago, indicating a late winter/early spring. | Confirms Season 2 spans into spring 1924; Spencer’s return nears completion. | 1923 Season 2, episode 6. |
| 1924 (Projected) | Spencer likely arrives in Montana; confrontation with Whitfield expected. | Potential resolution of the tax debt and ranch ownership conflict; family reunion. | 1923 Season 2 finale (assumed). |
READ MORE: Did Female US Marshals Exist in 1923? A Look at History and 1923
Why 1923 Season 2 Is Actually Set in 1924
Despite the show retaining the title 1923, Season 2 takes place in early 1924. Several clues confirm this shift. The first episode of Season 2, “The Killing Season,” features narration by Elsa Dutton, emphasizing winter’s deadly nature. Heavy snowfalls and brutal weather conditions indicate that Montana is in deep winter.
A significant confirmation comes in Episode 5, “Only Gunshots to Guide Us,” when Alexandra is stranded in Chicago due to a snowdrift. While speaking to a train ticket clerk, she remarks that “it’s spring,” but the clerk clarifies that winter lasts until June in the Midwest. This exchange confirms that the narrative has entered early 1924.
Additionally, Sheriff William McDowell tells Jacob Dutton that his taxes need to be paid, to which Jacob responds that he has already handled last year’s payment but remains worried about the upcoming deadline. Since tax payments align with the calendar year, this dialogue suggests that 1923 has ended, and Season 2 unfolds in the following year.
READ MORE: Who Dies in 1923 Season 2 Episode 6 and Who Killed Them?
How 1923 Season 2’s Setting Impacts the Duttons
The shift to 1924 heightens the challenges faced by the Dutton family. The unforgiving Montana winter exacerbates their struggles, with Elizabeth Strafford suffering a wolf bite and Alexandra facing obstacles on her journey home. Additionally, the ongoing financial crisis remains a significant burden, as Donald Whitfield‘s tax maneuver threatens the future of the Yellowstone Ranch.
Meanwhile, Spencer Dutton‘s prolonged return from Africa plays a crucial role in the Season 2 timeline. The slow pace of international travel in the 1920s, combined with winter storms, has delayed his arrival. His impending return is expected to set up a major confrontation with Whitfield and solidify the Duttons’ claim to the ranch.
READ MORE: Who Is Timothy Dalton’s New Victim in 1923 Season 2?
Why 1923 Retained Its Title Despite the Time Jump
Even though the story now takes place in 1924, 1923 remains the official title of the Yellowstone prequel. This decision is primarily for brand consistency, ensuring audiences recognize the series. The title serves as a marker of the time period, encapsulating the Prohibition-era and pre-Great Depression struggles faced by the Duttons, rather than a literal reflection of the year.
Beyond the branding aspect, 1923 represents the defining period of the Dutton family’s early history. The events that began in 1923—including the war against Banner Creighton and Donald Whitfield, as well as the family’s personal tragedies—remain central to the narrative, making a title change unnecessary.
READ MORE: How Many Episodes Are in 1923 Season 2 and When Do They Release?
What Comes Next After 1923 Season 2?
With 1923 confirmed to end after two seasons, the timeline of the Yellowstone universe will likely jump forward once again. Taylor Sheridan has hinted at a new prequel titled 1944, which would follow the Dutton family two decades later. If this project moves forward, it could explore how the Duttons manage the ranch through World War II and beyond.
Meanwhile, in the present-day Yellowstone timeline, characters like Kayce Dutton and Beth Dutton continue to navigate the modern era of the ranch. Whether or not future prequels will fill in the gaps between 1923 and Yellowstone remains to be seen.
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