The epic conclusion of the Yellowstone prequel, 1923, has finally happened. Fans of the show already know that there was a lot at stake in this episode, not just in terms of the events of this specific series, but also, how these events connect to the larger Yellowstone saga. And, when it came to writer Taylor Sheridan's ability to bring out strong emotions, the 1923 series finale, "A Dream and a Memory," delivered.
"This was definitely the most difficult thing I've had to do emotionally as an actor," Brandon Sklenar tells Men's Journal of the finale. "We were both just a mess filming those scenes."
Sklenar is talking about some of the final moments of "A Dream and a Memory," when Spencer and Alex's story takes a tragic turn. Men's Journal chatted with both Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer about the end of the journey for these two star-crossed lovers, and what they think it all means for the Dutton family tree. Massive spoilers ahead.
Related: Exclusive '1923' Clip: Spencer Dutton's Bootlegging Job Takes a Dark Turn
After nearly freezing to death, Alex is rescued by Spencer roughly midway through the finale. They've been separated all season, which is something that both actors said was much different than their experience filming Season 1. "She's completely on her own, and I didn't have my buddy," Sklenar says. "But, I think it was really helpful for the character, and acting-wise. Because I really did feel isolated."
Schlaepfer adds that even after Alex and Spencer are reunited in this episode, she then spends a ton of time with Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford), someone Alex doesn't know at all, and has never met until this final episode. Alex is about to give birth, and Jacob is getting treated for a gunshot wound. It might have been weird, but Schlaepfer says both on set and in the show, it couldn't have been more natural.
"The first scene that I shot with [Harrison Ford] was the birthing scene, and that was an intense day," Schlaepfer says. "He took such great care of me the whole time we were filming together. He knew when to crack a joke to keep the mood light. He was this presence that I didn't really know that I needed at that time, which is just like Alex. She just feels so safe with the Dutton family in general because of what she knows of him from the letters, and immediately she's like, that's my family."
Related: '1923' Season 2 Debut Refuses To Answer Its Confusing 'Yellowstone' Mystery
When it comes to Alex and Spencer's fate in 1923, the show concludes this troubled love story with tragedy. Alex dies after giving birth to her and Spencer's son, and then, in a protracted coda, we learn that even though Spencer later had another son with a widow, he never married again. In his final days, he retreated into fantasy and invented new memories of Alex to deal with his eternal grief. It's powerful stuff, but it does leave a Yellowstone fan with one big question: Did this baby grow up to be the father of John Dutton III? In other words, would this baby have been the father of Kevin Costner's character?
"I would say that no one is going to know what happens between 1925 and 2025," Schlaepfer says. "No one's gonna know until Taylor tells us."
"Is John the John?" Sklenar says. "Maybe?"
"We'd love to dream — and I like to dream that baby John is the John," Schlaepfer adds. "But we don't know."
1923 Seasons 1 and 2 stream on Paramount+.
Related: '1923' Massive Streaming Numbers Proves 'Yellowstone' Is Far From Dead
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