Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for 1923 season 2's finale - "A Dream and a Memory"The finale of the Dutton family tree's story in the future.

Even after the Yellowstone spinoff shows in the works. From the spinoff focusing on Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler to one focusing on a new family in The Madison, the Duttons' story is far from complete. One spinoff in particular, however, got a major setup at the end of 1923 season 2. Thanks to Alexandra and Spencer's (Brandon Sklenar) baby boy, 1944 has all the pieces it needs to tell the next chapter of the Yellowstone ranch's long history.

1923’s Ending Is John Dutton II’s Origin, Setting Up Yellowstone’s 1944 Prequel

1944 Could Easily Focus On The Next Generation Of Duttons Becoming Adults

Before she died of hypothermia and the necrosis from her frostbite, Alexandra named her only son John Dutton. Spencer's older brother was the first John Dutton, meaning his son is now John Dutton II, the missing link between 1923 and Kevin Costner's John Dutton III in Yellowstone. Since it takes place 20 years after 1923 season 2, 1944 could easily follow John II's early adulthood. The prequel series may even chart John II's military service in World War II, just as Spencer served in World War I. Alternatively, it could just follow John II defending the Yellowstone from yet another rich man trying to take the land.

John Dutton II's birth was a huge bit of setup for 1944, but it's not the only way 1923 paved the way for its interquel. Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), though she's leaving Montana and heading back East, is pregnant with Jack's (Darren Mann) child. Elizabeth and Jack's baby would be about 20 in 1944, which means the series could show them returning to Montana to learn more about their father's side of the family. They may even take inspiration from Jamie Dutton and be a new claimant to the Yellowstone apart from John II, adding to 1944's drama.

Will 1923’s Characters Appear In Yellowstone’s 1944 Prequel?

Spencer Dutton Was Confirmed To Be Alive In 1944 & There Could Be Flashbacks

1923 set up several (technically) new characters for 1944 to focus on, but there could also be some familiar faces in the new spinoff show. Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren) will be dead by 1944, but 1923's narration confirmed that Spencer lived another 45 years after John II's birth. An older version of Spencer will almost certainly appear in 1944, as he'll be running the Yellowstone at that point. Additionally, 1944 could even include flashbacks to Spencer's youth and the 20 years separating it from 1923, which would allow Brandon Sklenar to reprise the role.

If 1944 does flash back to Spencer's youth, there's no telling who else could appear as memories. Spencer might regale John II with tales of Alexandra, he might mention some of the lessons he learned from Jacob or Cara, and he may even recognize parts of Jack's personality in his own son. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Whenever 1944 is ready, it will already have a head start thanks to the groundwork 1923 season 2 just laid for it.