After watching Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 chaotic and eventful series finale, I was sure of one thing: that the best storylines don’t always belong to the leads, heroes, or even, in this case, the brave Duttons.

Sometimes it is reserved for complex and morally grey characters such as Banner Creighton.

Jerome Flynn’s character Banner Creighton had the best storyline in 1923 (Image Via YouTube/@Yellowstone)

Like any other viewer, when I started watching 1923, I became a fan of the Duttons- a closely knit family trying to save their ancestral Yellowstone ranch from the power-hungry encroachers and harsh weather conditions.

From Spencer’s bravery and never-ending journey to Montana to Cara’s resilience and determination for her family-everything about the Duttons amazed me.

However, the 1923 series finale that dropped on April 6, 2025, and wrapped up the story of this generation of the Duttons (or as I think so)- proved otherwise. It shifted my attention to Banner Creighton, the Scottish immigrant sheepherder.

Banner Creighton, played by Game of Thrones’ famed actor, Jerome Flynn, was certainly not one of the loved characters of Paramount+’s 1923. He not only clashed with the Duttons but also joined hands with the power-hungry business tycoon Donald Whitfield to occupy the Yellowstone ranch.

However, Banner Creighton had the best redemption arc in the series. His story hit me harder than any gunfight or grand speech. He wasn’t just a villain- but a man who was lost and in the final moments, found his way back.

Jerome Flynn’s Banner Creighton had one of the best plotlines in Taylor Sheridan’s 1923

Banner Creighton did not start as a villain- he was just an immigrant rancher who was trying to provide for his family. But when the Duttons humiliated him by tying a noose on him in Season 1, I understood his rage. It was quite embarrassing for him, who was just trying to earn his livelihood.

So it was not a surprise when he teamed up with Donald Whitfield, not just for power, but mostly for survival and security, to win against people who humiliated him.

But as soon as he realized that Whitfield was not the man he pretended to be, a man who didn’t kill his enemies but enjoyed the process, Whitfield was a monster in disguise.

The moment that wrecked me? When Banner had to bury Christy, one of Whitfield’s murdered sex workers. He didn’t just dump the body- he hesitated and stared blankly at her lifeless body.

The moment proved that Banner wasn’t as evil as he was portrayed. He wasn’t a heartless killer, but a poor and misguided man who loved his family to death.

Banner Creighton’s character arc was one of the best in the 1923 series. Even though he started as a villain, his character was quite complex.

By the end of the series, he realized that fighting for the Yellowstone ranch alongside Donald Whitfield had not only ruined his peace but also that of his family.

In the finale, Creighton decided to leave Montana with his family and move to Portland. But he was stopped at the station by the patriarch of the Duttons, Jacob, who asked him to end the war he began.

Banner asked Jacob to spare his family and agreed to fight for the Duttons. He successfully killed Clyde, who was trying to kill Jacob; however, in a crossfire with Whitfield’s army, the sheriff mistakenly shot him.

In his dying moments, Jacob promised him that he would make sure his family reached Portland safely. Quite an interesting redemption arc. Isn’t it?

Banner Creighton had a better character arc than the Duttons

The Duttons had their epic battles and dramatic speeches. But Banner? His war was quieter. It wasn’t about land or legacy. It was about a man clawing for respect in a world that told him he didn’t deserve any.

Thus, what struck me was- Villains are not born, they are made! Even though Banner wasn’t a villain as such, he was more of a flawed and morally grey character, pushed to the dark side due to circumstances.

Neither did Banner get a happy ending nor win any war. But his storyline stood out; in fact, his redemption arc was far better than the Duttons.

Edited by Sezal Srivastava