The Mountain Lion’s Real Meaning In 1923 Season 2 Episode 1 Explained
Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for 1923 season 2, episode 1.The mountain lion in the premiere of 1923 season 2 had a lot of hidden symbolism behind it, and its real meaning serves as a big insight into the Dutton family’s story. In the premiere of 1923 season 2, Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) encountered a mountain lion on the porch. Though it ran off, it came back to terrorize Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), and Cara (Helen Mirren) had to shoot it with a shotgun. Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) even had a conversation about cougars with his Italian shipmate, and 1923 made it clear that the mountain lion was more important than it appeared.
Taylor Sheridan is no stranger to using animals for their symbolism. The coyote in Landman‘s finale, for instance, served as a representation of Tommy Norris’ (Billy Bob Thornton) struggles with the oil industry and his wild nature. Yellowstone frequently uses animal symbolism: the Duttons’ cattle and horses are a symbol of the old world they’re trying to protect, and the stubborn way the entire family clings to their land. Now, 1923 season 2 introduced a new animal metaphor in the form of a mountain lion, and some viewers may be wondering what the cougar is supposed to represent.
What 1923 Season 2, Episode 1’s Mountain Lion Means For The Duttons
Danger Is Literally At The Duttons’ Doorstep In 1923 Season 2
The mountain lion in 1923 season 2 was quite significant. The most direct interpretation of the mountain lion in 1923 season 2 is as a metaphor for the danger the Dutton family is facing. A cougar, one of the most notorious ambush predators in the world, was literally stalking the Duttons’ doorstep in much the same way Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) ambushed them at the end of 1923 season 1. The mountain lion waited for Elizabeth, a weaker person than Jacob, to strike, and Whitfield also waited until the Duttons were at their weakest to pay their back taxes and seize their land.
Whitfield isn’t the only danger that the Duttons face, however, as they also have to contend with Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn). With that in mind, the fact that 1923 chose to accentuate the distant howling of wolves after Cara (Helen Mirren) shot the mountain lion is important. The cougar could also represent Creighton, as “dealing” with him and his fellow sheep herders in 1923 season 1 opened the door for Whitfield to strike. Without the natural competition a mountain lion provides as another apex predator, the wolves will likely become even more bold. Once the Duttons deal with Creighton, Whitfield may similarly become an even bigger threat.
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Helen Mirren gave Harrison Ford some tall praise recently, and her comments are very exciting for their upcoming collaboration in 1923 season 2.
On top of the threats from “predators” like Creighton and Whitfield, the Duttons also have other dangers facing them that the mountain lion helps illustrate. 1923 season 2 has already gone to great lengths to illustrate how bleak and awful winter is on a ranch. The Duttons eat nothing but stew and stale bread, they can barely leave their lodge, and the cold threatens everything they have. When Jacob first saw the mountain lion, he thought it was just trying to get warm, which showed that even the creatures designed to brave the winter were under threat.
How Spencer Dutton’s Life Hunting Lions Ties Into 1923 Season 2
Spencer Is Supposed To Be The Savior Of The Duttons & The Only One With Experience Fighting Stronger Enemies
Ever since Jacob was shot by Banner Creighton and his men, Spencer Dutton has been presented as a savior figure to both the Dutton family and the Yellowstone as a whole. As Cara often thought, if Spencer were only in Montana, the Duttons wouldn’t have any trouble with Creighton or Whitfield. Spencer certainly ties into 1923 season 2’s mountain lion metaphor, especially considering his history of being a big game hunter who often hunted lions in Africa. If the mountain lion represents the danger at the Duttons’ doorstep, Spencer represents their way out.
If the mountain lion represents the danger at the Duttons’ doorstep, Spencer represents their way out.
It’s not entirely clear how he’ll do it yet, but Spencer is almost certainly going to save the Yellowstone ranch. Spencer’s experience hunting big game will definitely come in handy when he has to physically fight Creighton and his lackeys. He’ll probably even use some of the same tactics in that fight, such as drawing Creighton out with bait and waiting in ambush. Whitfield, however, is the larger “lion” Spencer will have to hunt, and his gun won’t be the right weapon for that prey. Regardless of how he approaches it, however, Spencer Dutton has his sights set on a new type of lion in 1923 season 2.
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