The Season 2 finale of 1923 concludes with a dramatic twist that subtly—and surprisingly—lays the foundation for The Madison, the upcoming Yellowstone universe spinoff. But how exactly does the ending serve as the “missing link”? Let’s break it down:

1. Spencer and Alexandra’s Baby: A New Branch in the Tree

In the finale, Alex and Spencer give birth to a premature baby boy, and though it’s unclear whether he’ll survive, the moment is monumental. They even consider naming him John, after Spencer’s late brother Facebook+7Blavity News & Entertainment+7Screen Rant+7. This hints that he could be John Dutton II—father of John III from Yellowstone—or perhaps an offshoot that might resonate later in The Madison. The writers deliberately keep things vague, setting room for future narrative possibilities Blavity News & Entertainment+1Whiskey Riff+1.

2. Multiple Dutton Offspring: Keeping Options Open

The finale reminds us that Spencer had another child with a widow, separate from Alexandra’s baby Blavity News & Entertainment. Then there’s also Elizabeth’s pregnancy with Jack’s child, another prospective heir in the lineage Reddit+3Blavity News & Entertainment+3Whiskey Riff+3. By presenting three Dutton offspring possibilities—Spencer’s with Alex, Spencer’s with the widow, and Jack’s with Elizabeth—the finale avoids naming a definitive successor and leaves narrative doors open for The Madison to choose whichever lineage fits thematically.

3. Cast Ambiguity: Creative Flexibility

The actors themselves weigh in on the uncertainty:

“I think…Brandon and I would both absolutely love to believe that [their son is John II] … but until Taylor writes it, that’s what I’ll say.” YouTube+4Blavity News & Entertainment+4Screen Rant+4

Even the cast embraces the ambiguity. This isn’t loose plotting—it’s intentional flexibility, giving spin‑off writers freedom to explore any branch, possibly connecting Madison to the Duttons in unexpected ways.

4. Vague Tree Leaves Room for The Madison

Screenrant notes that the finale sets the tone for future developments into 1944 and beyond YouTube+3Screen Rant+3Screen Rant+3. By leaving key lineage questions unanswered, the show hints there’s more to come—and Madison could be the narrative conduit for those missing generations.

5. The “Missing Link” Effect

All this buildup means the finale isn’t just an emotional wrap—it’s a carefully constructed puzzle piece. The ambiguous births and lineage choices serve as a bridge to The Madison, which chronicles a New York family relocating to Montana’s Madison River Valley YouTube+6Blavity News & Entertainment+6Screen Rant+6. Could one of these children be their ancestor? Or is Madison introducing parallel branches of Dutton kin? The finale’s ambiguity ensures fans have fertile ground for theories.

6. Fan Response & Theory Overdrive

The internet is abuzz. Some theorists believe Spencer’s son with Alexandra is John II, while others argue Elizabeth’s baby with Jack could be the missing link Blavity News & EntertainmentWhiskey Riff+1Blavity News & Entertainment+1. The finale refuses to commit—possibly to allow Madison to choose whichever route serves best.

7. Taylor Sheridan’s Masterful Ambivalence

Critics accuse Sheridan of muddying the family tree, but others praise the ambiguity Whiskey RiffBlavity News & Entertainment. It’s a deliberate narrative tactic—avoid rigid canon to give spin‑off creators freedom.

8. What It All Means for The Madison

• Expect Madison to eventually clarify connection: maybe through dialogue, family lore, or surprise appearances.

• It may lean into Spencer’s son, Jack’s child, or an entirely new branch—perhaps the widow’s son.

• The ending signals that Madison will either feature a Dutton descendant or reveal how a related New York family ties back.

✅ Final Thoughts

The 1923 finale expertly sets multiple narrative hooks by introducing three possible progenitors, without confirming any of them. That’s not sloppy writing—it’s strategic. By foreshadowing without revealing, Sheridan primes viewers for The Madison to emerge as either a direct Dutton sequel or a parallel spin‑off linked through blood or land.

If you’re obsessed with Dutton lineage mysteries, ATTENTION: The Madison launch may answer your questions—or spark brand-new ones. Either way, the “missing link” you didn’t see coming arrives in the finale—but the rest of the puzzle is waiting in the valley.