One of the most popular and successful Western drama series, 1923, is an addition to Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe. It stars Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and others as a part of the Dutton clan, constantly trying to save the ranch.

Season two of 1923 concluded on April 6, 2025, leaving fans devastated with a heartbreaking finale.

The show has received a lot of support and positive response from the critics and audience for its storyline, direction, and performances of the cast members. Taylor Sheridan is known to be very precise with his scenes in the show, and one such example is Spencer Dutton and Donald Whitfield’s confrontation in the finale episode.

Brandon Sklenar recalls his scene with Timothy Dalton’s Donald Whitfield in the 1923 finale

Actor Brandon Sklenar’s Spencer Dutton, who, after a lot of challenges, finally makes it back in season two to Montana to help out his family in saving the ranch from Donald Whitfield, played by Timothy Dalton, in 1923.

But adding to his misery, his wife Alexandra, who was pregnant with their child, passed away after giving birth to a premature baby.

Alexandra, played by Julia Schlaepfer, who had shown immense courage by trying every possible thing just to make it back to the love of her life, dies due to hypothermia. Her passing away changes something in Spencer Dutton, who wants to kill Whitfield because he’s the reason Spencer even had to leave Alex.

Taylor Sheridan decided to cut Brandon Sklenar’s dialogue | Credits: Paramount+

Sklenar, in speaking to IndieWire, shared that Spencer Dutton is fighting for any sense of vindication he can get, and he knows that he’ll never get it fully. The actor was asked about the specific sequence where he wanted Whitfield to say Alex’s name, which he explained was because Spencer Dutton wanted Whitfield to know what he had taken from him. He added,
The dialogue was way more. There was a whole thing that I said, and then ultimately, it just wasn’t necessary. It took the significance; it explained away why I want him to say her name as opposed to just telling him to say her name.

I had a whole chunk of dialogue there where I explain why. You want the most effective dose, and that’s the most effective dose in that moment.
The actor, however, goes on to say that sometimes an elaborate dialogue is not needed to explain to the other character what the intention of it is. In reference to his scene, he added that it’s pretty obvious why Spencer Dutton was there and why he wanted to kill Whitfield.

He also noted the final version of the scene, which the audience eventually saw, was impactful.

Brandon Sklenar also added that Taylor Sheridan’s writing is so specific, noting the actors had changed nothing in 1923.

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer are still processing the 1923 finale

Spencer Dutton and Alex were the heart of 1923, and everyone throughout the season had rooted for their reunion. When they did reunite, a tragedy followed as Alex died after giving birth to their son John Dutton.

In speaking to EW, the actors reveal that they are still coming to terms with what happened to their character in the finale episode. Skelnar said,
I was anticipating something epic and brutally tragic, and it did not disappoint. That guy [Taylor Sheridan]. That guy is a pretty good writer, and the first time it just brought tears to my eyes, reading that episode. I mean, I could read it right now, and it would break me down.
The hardships the two had to face after they were separated towards the end of season one had been a lot, and every audience member had only wished for the couple to reunite.

Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer as Spencer and Alex in 1923 | Credits: Paramount+

They finally reunite after Spencer spots her screaming for help next to the tracks and leaps from its caboose to rescue her. The actress recalled that it was not only the reunion of Spencer and Alex but also hers and Sklenar’s because it was the first scene they had filmed together in season 2.
I remember standing, looking at Schlaepfer, and waiting to do the thing where they run and just hold onto each other. Just those sort of standing there in silence, looking at each other, and just seeing the last two-and-a-half years fly past your face. It was a trip.
The actress recalled the scene where her character accepts her fate and is ready to go. She shared that she had a fake baby in her arms; Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren all were a part of that scene, noting that it’s so heartbreaking and so surreal.

Julia Schlaepfer mentioned that she is still processing everything that she went through. Brandon Sklenar chimed in to say that he’ll be processing the finale for a long time.