Top 10 Connections Between Yellowstone and 1923

For the Dutton men, the front lines may change, but the fight never ends. Before Kayce, both Spencer and James Dutton served in the military-and they may not even be the only ones. Kayce, is a Navy SEAL forged in modern combat, and Spencer is a Great War veteran, and they both carry the burdens of battle. But for them, shedding the uniform doesn’t end their duty to their own. In “1923,” when trouble comes calling, Cara sends a letter to Spencer and he begins a grueling journey from Africa to Montana. Doesn't it just remind you of Kayce stepping up to protect his kin and hometown? Because in the Dutton world, the greatest fights are always for the ones they love.

The Duttons are no strangers to engaging in brutal battles for their land or family’s survival. If you’ve followed their saga from “1883,” you’d understand why. Even after getting established in Montana, enemies kept coming, each one eager to take what the Duttons built. While in “Yellowstone,” the Duttons had to resort to murder and other shady tactics to maintain their grip on the ranch, their ancestors weren’t any less ruthless. Jacob also fought dirty to protect the same soil. While Costner’s John grappled with land developers and a neighboring Native American Reservation, Jacob faced formidable threats like sheep herder Banner and a dubious mining tycoon. From generation to generation, it’s a never-ending struggle for the Dutton ranch.

Growing up, Kayce never had the best relationship with his father. In fact, when “Yellowstone” begins, he’s estranged from his family. The rift began when he chose to keep his child with Monica, a decision that led his father to brand him. In defiance, Kayce enlisted into the army, married Monica and built an independent life. But when a range war threatens his stay at the Reservation, Kayce reluctantly returns and eventually takes over the ranch. While Spencer’s journey is different, he too, spent years away. After serving in the military, he remained in Africa while Jacob, Cara, John and Jack ran things. It’s only after receiving Cara’s letter that he eventually heads home. Could he be the one to set things right?

Modern-day Duttons may have dabbled into banking, law or business but ultimately it’s for the preservation of their ranching lifestyle. Someone like Beth may not be a big lover of the family’s way of life but she never hesitates to defend what’s theirs. Kayce, John, Jamie and Lee have all been ranchers at some point, whether by choice or circumstance. Even in “1923,” Jacob and his wife leave their former lives to embrace ranching, determined to keep the Dutton dream alive. This prequel sees them fighting hard to safeguard the rugged life they’ve struggled to build. When you own one of the biggest cattle ranches in America, you probably would too.

After James died, Jacob had to step up as the family's patriarch. Just like Costner’s John Dutton, he served as the Livestock Commissioner, becoming the first in their history to hold the title. This position gave the Duttons immense power, ensuring their control on Montana remained unshaken. Operating like a crime family, they never hesitate to eliminate those who wrong them while their influence makes it easy to bury their own crimes. In“Yellowstone,” Rip, John’s right-hand man, hangs Wade for crossing the Duttons. Similarly, in “1923” five sheep herders are executed for attacking Jack, yet none of them is held accountable. Whether by violence or badge, the Duttons will do whatever it takes for their ranch and their blood.

How is Spencer connected to John of “Yellowstone”? This remains a big mystery in the Dutton family tree because it’s still unclear who fathered John II, dad to modern-day John Dutton. As the cruelty of the 20th century would have it, John Sr. gets murdered before “1923” ends. With only one son at his death, and Elizabeth passing soon after, it falls to either Jack or Spencer to carry the family line. With Spencer’s wife pregnant, he might be the direct tie to Costner’s John. Why is this important? Remember in “1883,” James Dutton promised his family would hold the ranch for only seven generations. Depending on who John Dutton’s grand-dad is, Tate may be the last Dutton to own it.

Heads up, it’s about to get more confusing. The most direct link between “1923” Duttons and the modern-day ones might be Jack Dutton. Now, it’s fuzzy whether he is Costner’s John Dutton’s grand-dad. But one thing we know for sure is that John Dutton II fathered John Dutton III. This is confirmed in a flashback in “Yellowstone” when he has a heart-to-heart chat with his son. Still, tracing his roots to the Duttons in “1923” gets kinda murky. This is especially so because towards the end of the series Jack’s wife loses her unborn child, leaving us uncertain if she’ll birth another. So the big question remains: Is Spencer John Dutton II’s father or could Jack Dutton be this enigmatic man himself?

The Duttons didn’t have the smoothest ride building their dynasty. In fact, it was a harsh journey that cost some of them their lives. But under Jacob’s leadership, things gradually took shape. With the help of his wife, nephew and grand-nephew, John and Jack, they transformed the ranch into the thriving empire we see in “1923.” That’s not to say they didn't have their own setbacks. Between the Great Depression, violent rivals and the unforgiving American Frontier, challenges were constant. However, with Jacob as the Livestock Commissioner, the Duttons’ political power in Montana finally took root - one that’d endure through their later generations.

Long before Costner’s John ruled the Yellowstone Ranch, generations of tough Duttons paved the way - one of them being Jacob. But how does he connect to the modern-day John Dutton? Well, Jacob is the brother of James Dutton, John’s great-great grand-father. In 1894, with the ranch in jeopardy, Jacob was called back to Montana to save it. With James and Margaret gone, and no children of his own, Jacob and Cara took in his brother’s kids, Spencer and John Senior. Somewhere along the family line, the John we know today finally enters the picture. Yeah, the Dutton lineage can be quite confusing, especially with too many Johns popping up in different generations.

Which Dutton is the toughest of them all? Let us know in the comment section.