Warning! SPOILERS For 1923 Season 2, Episode 1, “The Killing Season”
Watching the1923season 2 premiere might have someYellowstonefans wondering why Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) narrates the prequels but not Kevin Costner’s series. A simple answer exists. The young female narrator with a thick southern accent hails from the cast of1883,which introduces the earliest members of theDutton family tree. Elsa joins her parents, James (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill), as they journey northwest from Texas to Montana on a variant of the Oregon Trail.
Despite her indomitable spirit,Elsa Dutton died at the end of1883,setting up her family’s next endeavor as the stewards of the largest ranch in Montana Elsa’s fate in1883inspired the family to settle in Montana so they could live where she died. The Dutton family’s journey picks up in1923on the land where she was laid to rest.Elsa’s recurring narration makes her immortal in theYellowstonefranchisedespite her fate. Still, there’s a reason Elsa doesn’t recur throughoutYellowstoneas in Taylor Sheridan’s prequels.
Why Elsa Dutton Only Narrates Yellowstone’s Prequels 1883 & 1923
Isabel May Plays Elsa Dutton In 1883
Elsa Dutton doesn’t narrate the originalYellowstoneseries mainly for logistical reasons.1883debuted on Paramount+between 2021 and 2022, years after the flagship began in 2018, so, for starters, the main series predates Elsa’s pivotal narration.Isabel May was cast as Elsa Dutton years after Sheridan created his flagshipYellowstoneseries, which relies on modern characters like Kevin Costner’s John Dutton and Kelly Reilly as Beth to tell the story instead.
Yellowstone Proves Beth Is The True Successor Of The Best Dutton Family Member
Beth connects to one of the best characters in the Yellowstone franchise, which proves that Kelly Reilly’s Dutton is her spiritual successor.
1923, the continuation of1883,includes Elsa’s narration despite the character’s death. It makes sense that Elsa returns, explaining what happened to her mother and father.Elsa’s narration in1923is organic despite her deathsince she continues the story she began. While it makes sense thatYellowstonecouldn’t include Elsa before the character existed, it’s still worth considering why the flagship didn’t include her narration more inlaterYellowstoneseasons.
Elsa’s Spirit Has Been Forgotten By Yellowstone’s Modern Dutton Family
Yellowstone Exists Over A Century After 1883
Considering thatthe modern Dutton family has forgotten Elsa’s spirit, it didn’t make sense to includeElsa Dutton’s narration inYellowstoneuntil the season 5 finale. InYellowstone’s series ending, Elsa Dutton’s narration tells the story of the promise that her father made. Elsa’s narration talks about how her family has been forgotten by its modern characters, which makes sense since more than 100 years separate them.
Elsa describes the fierce cycle of winter as “the killing season,” which gives the episode its title.
Elsa’s absence inYellowstonemakes her return in1923season 2 even better. Elsa has proximity to the1923characters since her brother, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar), is central to the story. Elsa’s narration caps1923season 2’s premiere after a mountain lion appears on the Dutton family’s porch in1923season 2, episode 1. Elsa describes the fierce cycle of winter as"the killing season,“which gives the episode its title. Unfortunately, Elsa knows the nature of life and death better than most.
