A Kevin Costner Revelation in Yellowstone Highlights a Crucial Difference Between Alex & Spencer in 1923

A revelation from Kevin Costner’s John Dutton in Yellowstone draws a sharp distinction between Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) and Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) after the dramatic finale of 1923.

The Prohibition-era saga, crafted by Taylor Sheridan, reached its climax as the Dutton family’s war against Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) and Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) reached a fever pitch.

In the final episode, Spencer arrived just in time to help Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) confront Whitfield’s men at the Livingston train station, before leaving his wife and uncle to travel to Bozeman. Spencer later joined Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) in defending the Yellowstone ranch from further threats.

Tragedy struck when Elizabeth Strafford’s (Michelle Randolph) husband, Jack Dutton (Darren Mann), died in the penultimate episode, unable to draw his gun in time.

The ending of 1923 season 2 was marked by both triumph and heartbreak, but Spencer’s survival gave the Dutton family hope to endure another generation of struggles. In the closing scene, Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) narrates that her brother Spencer lived for another 45 years—a remarkable feat, considering how many Duttons met early ends.

However, by the time Spencer returned to Alexandra in Bozeman, she was dying in a hospital bed, her body succumbing to injuries sustained while freezing during a harrowing journey.

When Alex gave birth to their son, John, she faced a devastating choice: doctors advised amputating her legs and part of her arm to save her life. Alex refused, determined to deliver and nurse John herself. Even after giving birth, she continued to reject the life-saving surgery, ultimately dying as a result.

Her death completed a series of tragedies that befell Alex throughout 1923, and while her sacrifice bought precious time with her son, it left viewers questioning if things could have ended differently. It’s likely someone else could have cared for baby John while Alex underwent surgery, giving her the chance to raise her son.

Spencer, meanwhile, avoided Alex’s fate—something revealed in Yellowstone season 4, episode 2, “Phantom Pain.” In that episode, John Dutton tells Jimmy (Jefferson White) about his grandfather, who lost a leg and suffered phantom pain in his missing toes.

While it wasn’t clear if John Dutton’s grandfather was Jack or Spencer, 1923 season 2 suggests it was Spencer, since Alex named their baby John after Spencer’s brother. This leads many to believe that Spencer did undergo an amputation, choosing survival where Alex did not.

If Spencer truly was the ancestor John Dutton referenced, it means he likely lost his leg for different reasons, possibly later in life. Alex’s tragic refusal may have influenced Spencer’s decision to accept life-saving treatment if faced with a similar choice.

While Cara Dutton kept the family together at the end of 1923, it’s uncertain how long she survived, and Spencer likely witnessed the family struggle without a matriarch.

John Dutton’s story foreshadows that Spencer may have lost his leg during World War II, a possibility that could be explored in the next Yellowstone prequel, 1944.

Whether Spencer chose amputation or it was performed while he was unconscious, one thing is clear: Spencer survived, learning from Alex’s fate and ensuring the Dutton legacy continued.