The Truth About 1883's Heartbreaking Ending

The long-awaited "Yellowstone" prequel series "1883" has come to its end, answering some of the pressing questions fans had since the beginning. The Paramount+ prequel ended up having a much more subdued and emotional tone than many fans anticipated, and some wondered how exactly it tied into the story of "Yellowstone."

It all came together in the end, though, bringing closure to the characters and showing just exactly how the Dutton family ended up where they did. It also almost certainly made you cry if you watched it. So how did "1883" tie all the threads together? Here's the truth about the heartbreaking ending of 1883.

#1883 #Yellowstone #Drama

A fruitless fort | 0:00
Divided over the truth | 1:19
Diverting to the valley | 2:09
Josef chooses his fate | 3:30
Shea's origin story | 4:40
Doomed decisions | 5:48
Unexpected aid | 6:45
Advice and a warning | 7:57
A life fully lived | 9:08
An ancestral claim revealed | 10:05
Final goodbyes | 11:12
A story of hopelessness | 12:23

[Looper]

Please Note: Elsa was injured by the Lakota, not the Comanche. We apologize for this discrepancy.

[hankf]

I was blown away by Yosef’s admission while drunk, just before his amputation, of the true nature of his past. The entire time he presented himself as a pacifist carpenter. If you pay attention, and know your history, he was recounting his experiences, and trauma, fighting the French in the Franco-Prussian war, which took place in 1870. That was an amazing character revelation that goes totally unnoticed, and shows that he had more in common with the 3 civil war vets than they knew.

[anomadhunter]

I cried like a baby at the end of this series…what an emotional climax to a wonderful series. The casting was superb. Really loved Sam Elliott in this role.

[polythewicked]

This show has to be one of the most painful I’ve ever seen. I bawled like a baby at the end. Elsa was such a beautiful free spirit and it hurt to see her die.

[Ghostly_Shadows]

Hard to believe after all these years Sam Elliot is still one of the best acting cowboys out there.

[SecretSelfSearcher]

Just wanted to add, that hummingbird that Shea saw on the beach was ELSA coming to say hi to him as she had told him before she passed that she would. A lot of people miss the littlest details but I didn't. Great job of adding in these very small details that made this series wonderful

[gatoblanca]

I'm big on authenticity in westerns, and this I think is the best I've ever seen--in costuming, saddlery, landscape, and general history. Even the way the actors all ride like real cowboys, never touching the saddle horn. It's a shame this show hasn't got more recognition than it has, and I agree with all the great comments on this forum.

[banerjeeabhra]

I realized that when John Dutton was sitting under a tree with Lee's body, a yellow bird came to them. Just realized that.

[danabee]

I was resisting for some time to watch these prequels of Yellowstone but one afternoon I went for it and I was pushed into the deepest depths of my own soul. Taylor Sheridan is some story teller!!!! Brilliant writing, excellent casting, locations breathtaking and that music ... how melancholic, haunting, and yet gentle is that main theme? I could cry my heart out at the end ... BRAVO ...! 1883 is A GEM in today's cinematography. If you let it it will take you on a cathartic journey. It goes into depths of one's soul. Certain Elsa's readings made me burst into tears and sob like a small child. Those people were brave, man. I mean BRAVE. The ending was heartbreaking but it was realistic, life is tough and unfair, and we all deal with it the best we can. Excellent job, everyone! Geeeezus, I am tearing up even now ...

[Joe-zzf]

My wife's Irish family lived this life. Some of them died on the trail but the ones that made it started a great lifestyle in Oregon that their descendents still cherish.

[timquitzau]

The ending broke me down totally for days... This is one of the best series ever made and tragic. Love it and the characters

[nooux]

Elsa's death was truly heartbreaking even though we all knew it was coming, but then when Shea finally took his life, I lost it. This series was a roller coaster of emotions and I wasn't ready for it in the slighest.

[nigelyorkshiremanwadeley]

Hands up, I cried at the end. Having 3 daughters myself, watching John holding his dead daughter was too much and I lost it. Beautifully heartbreaking....

[grahamholliday]

Love that Spotted Eagle is played by same actor who played one of the chiefs in the incomparable Dances with Wolves. Only watched these synopsis but can see why 1883 has so many fans

[JH-nvue]

No movie or show has ever made me cry the way this did.
Ripped my heart out.
GREAT show!

[svenadam]

One of the most poetic series ever watched. Worth a second and even a third look.

[makerstudios]

The crazy part of this masterpiece is they showed you her fate at the beginning. If you watched Yellowstone you know they don’t go to Oregon. But it’s still a very gripping story.

[victordiaz]

im still so sad days after finishing this. this piece of television was so incredibly beautiful & heartbreaking.

[cherihughes]

I binged the whole 1883 series about 4 days ago in one sitting, until 4:00 in the morning! I've never binged a series all the way through like this, but I couldn't stop watching it, WOW! SO GOOD! I have not stopped thinking about 1883 since. This series is so thought provoking and heart stirrng, it moved me beyond words! This series is so well done, probably the best series that I have ever seen. From the beginning, it put me through a plethora of emotions from laughing to crying, to hope, to cheering, to yelling at the TV, but constantly yearning for more. The character of Elsa should definitely be recognized, she surely deserves to be. Everyone was outstanding, but she was a shining bright light!  
I started watching 1923 yesterday, but there are only 2 episodes out at the moment. I've only watched one of them, and it's looks promising. I can't imagine that anything can top 1883, but I'm ready! If you haven't watched 1883, I highly recommend a box of tissues close by! Enjoy! 🙂

[Heather-xzfk]

Absolutely beautiful wasn’t it? I like to think that when Elsa and Sam met on the plains, it was in the afterlife and Sam had died too. The acting was spectacular. Scenery magnificent. Music stunning. I will watch it again. 1923 is fabulous too. These shows are masterpieces.