One Of The Biggest Yellowstone Mysteries About John Dutton III Will Be Solved In The Next 2 Months

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The Yellowstone franchise could solve one of its biggest lingering mysteries about John Dutton III in just the next few months. Although the flagship series ended after five seasons and Yellowstone‘s John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) is now dead, 1923 tells the story of previous generations of Duttons who lived and worked on the ranch before John became the family patriarch. 1923 is one of several shows that depict the entire saga of the Dutton family, turning the franchise into a generational series.

Who Are John Dutton III’s Grandparents In Yellowstone?

There Are Only Two Options

John Emma Liz and Jack Dutton in Bozeman in 1923

1923 has kept the identity of John’s grandparents under wraps for almost the entire series. John Dutton, Sr. (James Badge Dale) was widely believed to be John’s great-grandfather, but his death in 1923 season 1, episode 4 without having a son named John confused the issue. There was soon speculation that John Sr.’s son, Jack (Darren Mann), was John Dutton III’s grandfather. This 1923 theory appeared to be squashed by Elizabeth’s (Michelle Randolph) injuries during the shootout that killed John Sr., as she was hit in the abdomen, which could interfere with her having children.

Of course, Elizabeth’s injuries happened at a time when there was comparatively little knowledge about such medical issues, so it’s possible the doctor was wrong about her ability to conceive. In this case, Jack and Elizabeth could still have John Dutton II, who would go on to be the father of John Dutton III. Conversely, if Elizabeth remains unable to have children, that leaves 1923‘s Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) as potential parents to John II. They then could name the baby after Spencer’s late brother.

Why 1923 Season 2 Needs To Solve The Mystery

This Spinoff Is Perfectly Positioned To Resolve The Question Of John Dutton III’s Family Line

John and Emma Dutton walking in the park in 1923

Elsa’s (Isabel May) opening narration in the 1923 pilot explains that only one of James Dutton’s (Tim McGraw) three sons survives to adulthood to carry on the family line. It wouldn’t make sense to end 1923 without making it clear which of the sons she is talking about. Answering that question requires revealing who John Dutton III’s grandfather is, as that’s the only way the family line could continue. Thus, if 1923 doesn’t solve this mystery before it goes off the air, it will be breaking its promise from its premiere episode.