Her death wasn’t for nothing — or was it?

A Gut Punch That Didn’t Need to Happen

The finale of 1923 Season 2 gave fans a tragedy few were ready for — and even fewer understood. Alex’s death, a character so beautifully written and rich with potential, felt like the kind of narrative misfire that shakes the foundation of a franchise.

In a world where bold moves define Taylor Sheridan’s writing, this one didn’t land.

Unlike Elsa’s death in 1883, which served as a spiritual and emotional cornerstone for the Dutton legacy, Alex’s fate felt like a footnote — a hollow sacrifice in service of nothing.

Was it really necessary to kill off the character who carried so much emotional weight?

Alex and Spencer: A Promise Now Broken

From the moment they met, Alex and Spencer Dutton represented more than just romance. They embodied rebirth. After years of colonial trauma, family warfare, and generational silence, their union was the spark that promised healing.

Alex wasn’t just “the love interest.” She was written with steel: a woman who left luxury behind, endured bloodshed, and stood by her partner when things got brutal.

We watched her become more than a survivor — she was a co-pilot in the Dutton saga. Her death? It ripped that co-pilot’s seat right out of the story.

And now, Spencer is adrift.

Elsa’s Death Had Purpose. Alex’s Doesn’t.

Fans are asking the same question: Why?

Elsa’s death in 1883 gave us something. It handed down the meaning of the land, the legacy of sacrifice, the very soul of the ranch. It hurt, but it mattered.

Alex’s death feels cruel, not cathartic.

Taylor Sheridan had the opportunity to build a second-generation power couple in Spencer and Alex. Instead, he handed us emotional wreckage — with no visible story payoff in sight.

“1944” Is Already Off-Balance

With 1944 on the horizon, fans expected Spencer to carry the torch. Brandon Sklenar has teased interest in reprising his role — and we hope he does. But even so, a big question lingers:

Can Spencer’s arc mean anything now that Alex is gone?

Their relationship was the emotional center of 1923. Without it, 1944 risks becoming a soulless procedural — all legacy, no heart.

Jack and Elizabeth may technically be heirs, but few fans believe they have the gravitas to carry the next generation. Their storyline feels thin compared to the richness of Spencer and Alex.

So Many Unused Threads

Worse, Alex’s death was part of a broader problem. Sheridan left too many threads hanging: Banner Creighton’s story, Zane’s family, and even hints of moral redemption among longtime enemies.

This isn’t just about Alex. It’s about a narrative that built her up — and then didn’t know what to do with her.

If her death was meant to serve Spencer’s growth, it didn’t land. If it was meant to shock us — it worked, but not in a good way.

Sheridan’s Biggest Gamble Yet?

With Kevin Costner gone and Yellowstone 2.0 still murky, 1944 needs solid emotional ground. Right now, it doesn’t have it.

Taylor Sheridan might still salvage this. He’s done it before. But if Alex’s death is left to rot without meaning, it might be remembered as the moment when the Dutton story lost its heart.