1923 Season 2, Episode 2 Review: I Need A Bit More Urgency When It Comes To The Story As The Duttons’ Fates Hang In The Balance
In the season premiere, we were introduced to how harsh winter could be in the 1923 world. The Western deals with new issues due to the season and far more dangers than I would have anticipated. Spencer’s journey to Montana continued with Brandon Sklenar’s character making a new friend, leading to some surprising moments in episode 2. Alexandra reveals she is pregnant, which makes her journey to Montana alone all the more dangerous, and Jacob and the rest of the Duttons back home deal with a mountain lion while Donald Whitfield advances on his schemes.
Spencer Gets Tangled Up With The Italian Mob
Brandon Sklenar’s Character Can’t Seem To Get Home
As 1923 season 1 progressed, it became clear to me that Spencer Dutton would not make his way home by the end of the season. That was okay, as I imagined season 2 would not take long to have him reach Montana. However, in true video game fashion, it seems like Sklenar’s Western hero can’t stop accumulating side quests. In 1923‘s favor, they do happen to be quite interesting. This time around, Spencer’s journey home is disturbed by none other than the Mafia, Italy’s organized crime group.
While I liked Spencer’s new friend, Luca, I could see by the way he was handling the bets during Spencer’s fight that there was something darker inside him. Well, episode 2 ends any doubts related to that, showing who his cousin really is. It turns out he is a Mafia don, and the villain does not like Spencer’s attitude, with Sklenar’s character trying to run back to his family instead of getting roped into whatever shady business he had for him. However, Spencer is a single man against the Mafia, so a deal is needed.
I’m interested in how Sheridan continues to throw unpredictable situations Spencer’s way, and how he tries to quickly deal with them as they come. At least this time Spencer got to send a message home. It does feel like he is getting closer, but not nearly at the pace I would have wanted. Still, the next chapter of his Mafia storyline should be quite interesting. By the end of the episode, Spencer and Luca are tasked with delivering his cousin’s whiskey to Fort Worth, Texas. The fact Spencer was handed a gun signals the danger awaiting them.
1923’s Cast Gets Very Different Storylines To Focus On
1923 ups the dangers for the Duttons.
Banner turning on Whitfield later in season 2 would make for quite the story, though I think the seeds of his fear for this man might pay off more darkly and not end well for Flynn’s character. Alexandra’s journey is tumultuous. It’s interesting to see her in a completely new situation. Used to a posh lifestyle, we saw in season 1 that, despite her grit and willingness to go out of her comfort zone, Alex is not fully cut out for a life of hardships just yet, and her means of travel offer an interesting start to her journey.
1923 ups the dangers for the Duttons. I only hope the series doesn’t continue having pacing issues as the season gets closer to what will hopefully be a satisfying ending.
1923 season 2 episodes stream on Paramount+ weekly every Sunday.
