1923 season 2, episode 2, just set up Elizabeth Strafford’s (Michelle Randolph) exit from the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, and I don’t blame her for wanting to leave. In 1923 season 2’s second episode, Elizabeth continues suffering through a brutal Montana winter. As her sweetie, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann), and Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) journey into Bozeman for Zane Davis’s (Brian Geraghty) trial, Elizabeth is one of 1923 season 2’s characters left at home alone on the ranch with Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren). Winter has caused Liz many tribulations thus far.

In 1923 season 2, episode 1, Elizabeth was on the verge of getting attacked by a mountain lion just before Cara shoots it through the lodge’s window. Jack’s sweetheart looks death in the face again in 1923 season 2, episode 2 when a potentially rabid wolf confronts her in the chicken coup after devouring the Dutton family’s entire flock of hens. To worsen things, as Jack fights to make his way home in the blizzard, Elizabeth is forced to receive multiple rabies shots in her stomach. The event adds severe pressure to Elizabeth’s hardships, setting up her exit from the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

Elizabeth Dutton Would Be Right To Leave Yellowstone In 1923 Season 2
Elizabeth Faces Unending Hardships In 1923

Ultimately, if Elizabeth Strafford did leave the Yellowstone ranch, it would be impossible to blame her after 1923 season 2, episode 2, “The Rapist Is Winter.” Elizabeth’s first winter at the Dutton Ranch is unforgiving, paired with the struggles of the Great Depression in Montana that have affected the plans she made for her life. In 1923 season 1, Elizabeth has to postpone her wedding to Jack after the cowboys have to change their plans and travel up the mountain to feed the herd, which ends in the beginning of a range war with Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn).

When Banner plans an organized attack on the family after their encounter in the mountains, Elizabeth takes a bullet to the stomach that potentially causes her to lose her child and the ability to have children. As ranch life strips Elizabeth’s most basic desires and replaces them with traumas, it’s crucial to remember that Liz’s discomfort at the Yellowstone Ranch has been a theme since 1923 season 1. She may love Jack, but the ranching lifestyle has pushed her limits. In 1923 season 2, episode 2, Strafford remarks that ranch life is not a means of living but surviving.

Elizabeth Dutton Leaving Is Something Monica Couldn’t Do In Yellowstone
Monica Tries To Leave The Ranch In Yellowstone But Can’t

Elizabeth’s struggle resembles Monica’s (Kelsey Asbille) conflict in the flagship Yellowstone series. Throughout Monica’s time as Kayce’s (Luke Grimes) wife after Lee Dutton’s (Dave Annable) death in Yellowstone, Monica resented the need to return to the ranch and contribute to its operations, which brought hardships to her family. While the ranch indeed served Monica at times, she ultimately never wanted to be a part of it and was glad to leave it behind in the end, despite staying behind on a piece of it. Still, East Camp was appropriately positioned between the ranch and the Broken Rock Reservation.

Ultimately, Monica knows that ranch life isn’t worth sacrificing her family for, and Elizabeth shares her gut instinct.

The difference between Monica and Elizabeth is that the latter might leave, and she would be right to do so. Ultimately, Monica knows that ranch life isn’t worth sacrificing her family for, and Elizabeth shares her gut instinct. Elizabeth doesn’t want to get rabies shots in her stomach, which is understandable considering her previous wound, which likely compromised her ability to have a family by traditional means. That said, if Elizabeth sticks around, her role in the Dutton family tree could have an equally profound conclusion as Kayce’s freedom in Yellowstone, the story of which necessitated Monica’s conflict.