Warning: The Following Contains Spoilers for the 1923 Finale “A Dream and a Memory”
After three years and 16 episodes, Taylor Sheridan’s epic Western saga 1923 came to a conclusion last night with quite the finale. Not only did we see the long-awaited reunion between Spencer and Alex that had everyone cheering, but shortly thereafter, those cheers turned to tears as Alex succumbed to gangrene after giving birth to John Dutton II. It was an ending befitting of the Yellowstone prequel, and this morning, fans are all over social media sharing their thoughts on the heartbreaking ending, and the reactions are exactly what you’d expect.
“Taylor Sheridan, you couldn’t let Alex catch a break! Wtf was that ending? Tragedy after Tragedy till the end. 1923 just broke me,” said user @CachedDream on X. @SarahBelles23 was apparently waiting for all episodes of 1923 to be available to stream on Paramount+ before they binge-watched Season 2, but unfortunately had the ending spoiled for them and didn’t take too kindly to what happened:

“I was spoiled on what happens in the series finale of 1923, & I will not be watching s2 after all. We waited YEARS for Spencer & Alex to reunite & that’s how their story ends?? Alex was tortured episode after episode & that’s how Taylor rewards her?? I despise him & this show.”

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@tayoncemclipa had a similar reaction, adding, “Watching the 1923 finale and i’m gonna sue everyone involved in this series for giving me hope and then breaking my heart.” Then there was @ameidotowery, who questioned why Sheridan would spend all that time on Spencer and Alex’s reunion when he was just going to rip them apart in the end:

“1923, Spencer and Alex Dutton, what was the point of this 30 minute reunion only for us to get that ending.”

Not Everyone Hated the Ending to ‘1923’

Paramount

While the majority of people on social media are airing out their frustrations this morning over the heartbreaking conclusion to 1923, not everyone is angry at Sheridan for the way things ended. Case in point: @thesundowners1 on X who said:

“Season 2 of 1923 was a slow burn and frustrating to watch at times, but the 2 hour series Finale nailed it. Hell of an ending!”

Of course, they seem to be the exception to the rule. As user @lw_waterford said, “I’m going to need my 2 hours back. #1923 most ridiculous, worst ending ever. Unless you want to make a drinking game out of all the cliches. Taylor Sheridan took another good show & ruined it with lazy writing.” We wouldn’t go that far, but @juju_Dugan18 agreed that “Taylor Sheridan is public enemy number 1 after that episode of 1923.”
Needless to say, the bulk of fans are outraged over the fact that Sheridan killed off Alex in the 1923 finale, but honestly, we’ve come to expect nothing less from the prolific creator who has tugged on our heartstrings time and time again. Naturally, it doesn’t lessen the pain we feel, but it’s all about the journey, right? Sure, it may not have ended the way we wanted, but it was a heck of a ride getting there, and for that we’re thankful.
Source: X

1923

Release Date

2022 – 2024

Network

Paramount+

Directors

Guy Ferland