OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Season 2 of 1923 has already set the stage for an emotionally charged ride, and while fans are eagerly awaiting the twists and turns, I’ve found myself consumed by a theory that I truly hope is wrong. But, after thinking through the layers of the Dutton family saga, I can’t shake the feeling that the season might close with a heartbreaking blow—one that leaves both Jacob and Cara Dutton dead before Spencer returns home.
Trust me, I know how far-fetched this sounds. I mean, who wants to believe that Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren’s iconic characters could meet a tragic end? But when you look back at the series’ beginnings, this theory actually makes tragic sense.
Jacob and Cara Dutton’s Fate: A Dark Possibility
The first clue lies in how the series has shaped its narrative around survival—particularly in the unforgiving environment of the American West. As brutal winter sets in during Season 2, the story reminds us of its lethal nature. Elsa Dutton’s voiceover in the premiere reflects the harsh reality: “Winter is the killing season. When the hunters among us seek out the weak, the foolish. Only the very strongest of nature’s creatures survive it.”
And yet, not even the strongest survive unscathed. Look no further than Margaret Dutton, Spencer’s mother, who tragically perished before Jacob and Cara could reach her. She was a strong woman, yet the unforgiving cold claimed her life. If this is the harsh reality of 1923, it’s not hard to imagine that Jacob and Cara—who, like all the characters, are getting older—could meet a similar fate.
A Profoundly Tragic Homecoming for Spencer
Now, here’s where the theory takes a gut-wrenching turn. Spencer, who’s been separated from his family for a long time, is poised to return to Montana. His actor, Brandon Sklenar, has teased that the Season 2 finale will be “profoundly beautiful,” hinting at emotionally charged moments, particularly Spencer’s reunion with Alex, Jack, and, hopefully, Jacob and Cara.
However, the more I think about it, the more likely it seems that Spencer might return to find that the couple who raised him, who were his only family, are gone. While his return would bring much-needed hope, the loss of Jacob and Cara would make it painfully bittersweet.
Imagine the gut punch of Spencer walking into the ranch, only to find his aunt and uncle gone, just as his mother was before them. It would be a devastating emotional blow that would leave Spencer to rebuild the ranch—not just physically, but emotionally, in the wake of losing his last surviving family members.
Symbolic Tragedy: A Full-Circle Moment for Spencer
This idea may seem excessively grim, but there’s a certain symbolic poetry in it. Jacob and Cara were the ones who kept Spencer’s legacy alive while his parents were lost to the harsh realities of the West. If they too fall victim to the unforgiving winter or some other fate, Spencer would be left to face the daunting task of resurrecting his family’s ranch—all alone.
The tragedy would come full circle. Spencer, like his parents, would have to face unimaginable loss. It would be a heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping conclusion to the season that could have us all reeling in disbelief.
Conclusion: A Heartbreaking Yet Compelling End
I truly hope I’m wrong. Jacob and Cara Dutton are beloved characters, and it’s hard to imagine 1923 without them. However, given the ruthless nature of the world they inhabit, their deaths could be a fitting, albeit tragic, ending for Season 2. It’s a theory that I hate to entertain, but one that’s hard to ignore given the show’s dark, emotional undertones.
As Spencer looks toward returning home, the question will not just be whether he can save the ranch—it will be whether he can find any family left to rebuild it with. Here’s hoping that 1923 proves me wrong, and delivers a more uplifting conclusion. But if not, one thing is for sure: Season 2 will be a devastating, emotional rollercoaster we won’t soon forget.