“1883” follows the Duttons as they traverse the Great Plains in search of a home. The series is a prequel to the hit western drama “Yellowstone” and details the origin story of the Dutton family’s ancestral Yellowstone ranch. In the first-season finale, the Duttons arrive in late 19th-century Montana and finally secure the land that will become the home of Yellowstone Ranch. Thus, the finale sets the premise for future seasons of “Yellowstone” and the new spin-off series “1932.” If you missed Taylor Sheridan’s clever nods to the future of the “Yellowstone” universe, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how the ‘1883’ finale sets up ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘1932’ Season 5. SPOILERS AHEAD!
How does 1883 Finale set up Yellowstone season 5 and 1932?
In the Season 1 finale of “1883”, James Dutton and his family arrive in Montana, where they meet Spotted Eagle, the chief of a Native American tribe. Spotted Eagle sees that Elsa is badly injured and tries to heal her with his tribe’s methods. However, it soon becomes clear that Elsa’s death is inevitable. Therefore, James decides to find a place where Elsa can be buried. The family plans to make Elsa’s resting place their new home. Also, Elsa wants to choose her resting place during her lifetime. Consequently, James is running out of time to find suitable ground.
When Spotted Eagle learns of James’ fate, he guides Patriarch Dutton to Paradise Valley. However, Spotted Eagle warns James that his family members will rise up after seven generations and seek to reclaim the land from James’s descendants. In addition, James must allow the people of the tribe to hunt for food in the country. James agrees to the terms and heads to Paradise Valley with Elsa. Elsa dies on the land that will one day become the Yellowstone Ranch.
In the present, as of the fourth season of “Yellowstone”, the Dutton family is in its sixth generation. The current patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), is the great-grandson of James Dutton. John’s grandson, Tate, is the sixth generation member of the Dutton family. However, the Duttons face various problems maintaining their property and often have conflicts with the Broken Rock Reservation, a Native American community. Therefore, it seems that the events predicted by Spotted Eagle are already beginning to materialize. Thus, the “1883” finale sets up a major conflict between the Duttons and Native Americans that could potentially play out in the upcoming fifth season of “Yellowstone.”
Second, the Season 1 finale apparently also set up the premise for “1932,” a new spinoff series set in the 20th century that will follow a new generation of Duttons as they navigate various issues. In 1932, James is long gone and his family members and successors may forget his promise to Spotted Eagle. For the Duttons, the land is an extension of their family. This ideology probably stems from Elsa’s death and burial. Therefore, in their attempt to protect the land they hold dear, the Duttons in ‘1932’ may end up breaking the Spotted Eagle Promise, creating conflict for the Duttons in ‘Yellowstone’.
Read more: Did James and Margaret Dutton leave 1883? Will Tim McGraw and Faith Hill be in season 2?
