Dutton Family Tree Dissected: Is 1923's Spencer the Grandfather of Yellowstone's John Dutton?

SPOILERS AHEAD! Is Taylor Sheridan throwing us an ingenious curveball with the Dutton Family Tree? 1923's foreshadowing, strongly placed clues, and familiar thru-lines to Yellowstone may make Spencer Dutton the key to everything.

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[ceceliagarmer]

100%! I knew from the moment Spencer and Alex showed up that only THEY could have passed on the DNA that we so love about John and Beth Dutton.

[Ashley_e]

I hope so! Spencer and Alex are the only thing I’m into!

[mightymikeamps]

Love me some good plot twists!!! Can’t wait for Spencer to put his special set of skills to work against his brother’s killer!!

[judsonkr]

They sure are spending a LOT of time on Spencer and Alex for them to NOT be the lineage of the Yellowstone characters.

[surferdude]

Spencer is a stud, Kaycee is a stud. Kaycee is Spencer’s direct great grand kid. It’s in their warrior dna.

[lesvail]

Finally! I’ve been saying that I think Spencer is John’s grandfather since his brother was killed in the ambush.
Elsa’s comment about only one of her father’s children living long enough to see their own children grow was the first clue. Then I got thinking about a story that modern-day John told in Season 4 when he recalls that his grandfather lost one of his legs. As long as Sheridan stays faithful to his canon, the Dutton that loses his leg (Jack or Spencer) will be revealed to be the Dutton from which the present-day Duttons are descended.
I am leaning towards Spencer, however, as I believe that the writing around Spencer’s character truly foreshadows Costner’s character in Yellowstone.

[scottschauer]

I’m waiting for YELLOW STONE 1203. Where the Duttons are barons in the early Middle Ages. It’s going to be epic!

[lanedixon]

Alex is already pregnant. And in a previous episode John was about to smash a crystal vase when Beth stop him saying it was a present from some Lord from England. So it is a tool up as to who is John’s ancestor.

[juanitajones]

I noticed that Brandon Sklenar, who portrays Spencer Dutton, strongly resembles James Badge Dale, who portrays his older brother John Dutton Sr. In fact, in his first scene, I had briefly mistaken him for Badge Dale.

[Flymeonthebreeze]

I think Elizabeths gun shot wound is going to cause her to not be able to have children, with Jack. Spencer & Alexandra will be the ones to carry on the Dutton family legacy.

[johnstevenson]

Without question. Spencer and Kayce are basically the same man

[christopherlyons]

Just remember, Sheridan loves to play fast and loose with continuity. The Spencer we saw in 1883 was born much earlier than the Spencer in 1923, who was, he tells us, five when they killed the Man Eaters of Tsavo, who were both killed in December of 1898. Meaning Spencer was born in 1893. Which doesn't match up well with his apparent age in 1893, when his father is killed--but matches up perfectly with Sklenar's age at the time 1923 was filmed. Bear in mind, Sheridan could have just said he wasn't even born when that happened. So honestly, take nothing at face value here. It's a good story--not history. It's clear Spencer and Alex have a kid, and since there's at leaset one branch of the Dutton family we haven't met yet, could be that's where one of them came from. My feeling is, he's probably the present-day John Dutton's grandpa. And Sheridan has deliberately avoided saying too much about the lineage, because he wants the freedom to make changes--like if he finds out there's an actor of a certain age he wants to use, and he couldn't if he got too specific about things.

[jcastanza]

(1923 S1 E5 SPOILER) Well, Elizabeth is pregnant now so there’s that. But if it is via Spencer, why would that require you to ee-write “the entire family tree”? You just route through Spencer instead of John (well, John + Jack) which reminds me, wasn’t there something somewhere in Yellowstone that mentions Jack (which is somehow short for John) and isn’t present day John actually John III ? Which kinda wraps this up I think?

[sylviafugate]

This show is awesome, love watching this every weekend, my opinion is that it's better than Yellowstone ❤️

[jocelyngail]

I find 1923 a little draggy compared to 1883 which was really exciting, edge of your seat every episode

[thebeagles]

Alexandra is so much like Beth. She has to be the one.

[jcmac]

Although fun, Jack hasn’t exactly been branded the most level headed adult in the room. I think Jack will end up being killed or Elizabeth will be unable to get pregnant due to the gun shot wound.
Spencer and Alex will have a son and honor his brother and dad with the name John.

[paulaserven]

Taylor Sheridan has a unique way to twist every turn to keep all of us continue to long for Sunday evening captivating drama of the ❤ Dutton’s every stage of by making every twist and turn about how the the WEST really ran and worked

[mandymac]

I would be VERY surprised if Alex is not pregnant. Her and Spencer have been like rabbits going after it😂😂😂😂. The chemistry these two actors have is really strong and Spencer is way too strong and manly to not pro create.

[ingridscheepers]

I really hope that Spencer is an ancestor of RIp. Rip is the strongest male character in Yellowstone. Also Rip likes to say to Beth: "I dont understand what that means". Spencer spoke the same words to Alexandra.