The world of the "Yellowstone" universe has never been known for its pleasantness or mercy toward its characters. However, fans of the Taylor Sheridan-led TV franchise were still shocked by the cold treatment of James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), the formidable leads of the "Yellowstone" spin-off, "1883." Despite the tragic nature of the limited series, the ending of "1883" does leave a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for James and Margaret.
In the follow-up to "1883" titled "1923," it is revealed that James died in 1893 after an encounter with horse thieves. In response, Margaret wrote a letter to Jacob (Harrison Ford), James' older brother, and his wife, Cara (Helen Mirren), asking for their help in running the developing Dutton ranch.
Unfortunately, when Jacob and Cara arrive a year later in 1894, they find that Margaret has already frozen to death in a snowdrift.
Adding to the tragedy, this information is revealed through the narration of the ghost of Elsa (Isabel May), James and Margaret's deceased daughter, at the beginning of "1923." While a flashback in Season 4 of "Yellowstone" hinted at James' death prior to the premiere of "1923," it wasn't until the first episode of the "1883" sequel that the fates of James and Margaret were officially confirmed. Viewers, along with the actors, were shocked to see the details of their deaths revealed so dispassionately.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Isabel May shared that she knew early on that Elsa Dutton would narrate any "Yellowstone" spin-offs set after "1883" because Taylor Sheridan had informed her. May expressed her shock at the way Sheridan chose to reveal the fates of Elsa's parents, saying, "Oh, brutal! Brutal! So sad. Really what hit me was Margaret, she was so wonderful." May recognized Sheridan's commitment to portraying the harsh reality of life in the Old West, stating, "He's going to make it brutal because that's what life looked like then."
May's observations align with Sheridan's approach to his expanding "Yellowstone" universe.
From the beginning of the show, Sheridan has shown a willingness to kill off characters when necessary for the story, regardless of their prominence or perceived importance. In "1883," he took this even further by killing off most of the main characters within the span of eight episodes.
As for "1923," it remains to be seen whether it will continue to tell a brutal story like its predecessor. However, one thing is certain: Sheridan is dedicated to reminding viewers of the dangers of the Old West, no matter how many characters he has to sacrifice to achieve that goal.
