NEW UPDATE: ‘1923’ Fans Are Left Reeling After Brutal Series Finale—See Full Reactions
‘1923’ Fans Are Left Reeling After Brutal Series Finale—See Full Reactions
The 1923 series finale, a two-hour emotional juggernaut that dropped on Paramount+ on April 6, 2025, has fans reeling—and not always in a good way. Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the Yellowstone universe, delivered a conclusion that’s as beautiful as it is brutal, leaving Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) to bury his soulmate Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) after her frostbite-fueled sacrifice and the birth of John II. It’s classic Sheridan: no happy endings, just raw, gut-punching reality. But did it stick the landing? Fans are torn, flooding social media with tears, rage, and a few reluctant nods of admiration. Here’s the full spectrum of reactions.
Heartbreak Hits Hard
For many, Alex’s death was the final straw in a season of relentless suffering. “I sobbed for 40 minutes straight,” one fan posted on X. “Alex and Spencer went through hell for two years just to get 30 minutes together before she dies? Sheridan, why?!” Another echoed, “My heart’s been ripped out. That shooting star at the end—beautiful, but I’m crushed.” The reunion-turned-tragedy left viewers mourning what could’ve been, with one lamenting, “They deserved to raise John II together on the ranch. This isn’t an ending; it’s a betrayal.”
Fury at Sheridan’s Pen
Not everyone’s shedding tears—some are hurling curses. “Two years waiting for Spencer to save the day, and Alex dies for no reason? Worst writing ever,” one X user fumed. Another called it “lazy storytelling,” raging, “Sheridan tortured Alex all season, reunited them, then killed her off. What was the point? I’m done with these spinoffs.” The rushed resolution of other arcs—like Spencer’s quick takedown of Whitfield—didn’t help, with a fan griping, “He kills five guys and Whitfield in ten minutes after all that buildup? I need my two hours back.”
Praise for the Pain
Yet, amid the outrage, some hailed the finale as a masterpiece. “Tragic, yes, but brilliantly done,” one supporter wrote. “Sheridan nailed the Dutton cycle—loss fuels legacy. I felt every second.” Another gushed, “Best episode of TV I’ve seen in ages. That two-hour rollercoaster redeemed everything.” Spencer’s violent homecoming and Banner’s redemptive death won applause too: “Seeing Whitfield’s smug face blown away? Worth it,” a fan cheered. “Brandon Sklenar’s a star—keep him for 1944!”
The Baby Debate
Cara (Helen Mirren) raising a premature John II at 80 sparked practical skepticism. “A six-month baby surviving in 1923? And Cara’s got this at her age? I had to turn my brain off,” one viewer scoffed. Others saw it as poetic: “It’s Cara stepping up again, like with Spencer and John Sr. History repeats—chillingly perfect.” The flash-forward to Spencer’s lonely death in 1969, dreaming of Alex, split fans further. “That ballroom scene was gorgeous,” one said, while another snapped, “Why dump all that widow-and-kid drama on us? Too much!”
Looking to 1944
The finale’s loose ends—Elizabeth’s exit with a Dutton baby, Spencer’s future—have fans eyeing 1944. “No Season 3, but I’m hyped for Spencer in the ‘40s,” one posted. “That widow’s kid better tie to Jaime’s ‘birthright’ in Yellowstone.” Others aren’t so sure: “If it’s more tragedy, I’m out. Sheridan’s allergic to joy.”
Final Verdict
Love it or hate it, the 1923 finale has fans buzzing. It’s a polarizing end to a saga that promised grit and delivered heartbreak in spades. “Sheridan knows how to make you feel, even if it’s pain,” one fan summed up. “I’m mad, I’m sad, but I’ll still watch 1944.” What’s your take—did the finale soar or stumble?
Love it or hate it, the 1923 finale has fans buzzing. It’s a polarizing end to a saga that promised grit and delivered heartbreak in spades. “Sheridan knows how to make you feel, even if it’s pain,” one fan summed up. “I’m mad, I’m sad, but I’ll still watch 1944.” What’s your take—did the finale soar or stumble?
