Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) will have to take a major role in the battle for the Yellowstone ranch in 1923 season 2, and the prequel show is already setting up exactly what his job will be. 1923 season 2, episode 3 saw Spencer finally make some headway in his journey towards Montana, but he was sidetracked yet again. He and Luca (Andy Dispensa) hit a roadblock as they were bootlegging whiskey, and Luca was killed in a shootout with the law. Though Spencer will have an even longer journey ahead of him, 1923 at least made some progress in setting up his story once he reaches the Yellowstone.

While the Yellowstone spinoff show is mostly concerned with the Dutton family, other members of the cast of 1923 also play an important role in the ranch’s generational story. For instance, Zane Davis (Brian Geraghty) and his family, who was taken from him due to Montana’s law against interracial marriage, have played a large role in 1923 season 2 already. While they have helped show some of the injustices common in America in the 1920s, Zane was actually important for another reason in 1923 season 2, episode 3: he set up Spencer’s story once he gets to Montana.

Spencer’s Role In 1923 Season 2’s Dutton War Set Up Explained
With Zane Out Of Commission, Spencer Will Likely Become The Yellowstone’s Wagon Boss

One of the biggest developments in 1923 season 2, episode 3 concerned Zane Davis. As the doctor explained, Zane needs surgery to control the bleeding in his brain, and there was no anesthesia at the ranch. Regardless of whether the surgery is successful or not, Zane is going to be out of commission for a long time, which opens the door for Spencer to take his place. Before his beating, Zane was the wagon boss for the Yellowstone in 1923 – the same role Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) had in Yellowstone – and Spencer will likely take his place once he finally reaches Montana.

If Spencer does end up taking Zane’s place as the Yellowstone’s wagon boss, it could work perfectly for the Duttons’ war against Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) and Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn). As a wagon boss, Spencer will be able to essentially patrol the entire ranch, and his experience with warfare and big game hunting will make him extremely dangerous to anyone who tries to attack. The position would also give him command of all the other cowboys employed by the Duttons, so Spencer will have a small army of hired guns that he can ride into battle with.

Spencer Could Run The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch At The End Of 1923
If Jacob Dies, Spencer Would Inherit The Yellowstone As The Last Surviving Child Of James Dutton

Spencer becoming the Yellowstone’s wagon boss could also give him the experience he needs to take run the ranch one day, and that day may come sooner than expected. 1923 has already shown that winter is taking no survivors, and there’s a very good chance that members of the Dutton family could die in the war between them and Whitfield. If Jacob, for example, dies in 1923 season 2, Spencer would inherit the Yellowstone ranch, as he’s the only surviving child of Jacob (Tim McGraw) and Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill). Jack (Darren Mann) is technically his nephew, and would likely run the ranch after Spencer’s death.

The Dutton family tree is a big reason why Spencer may run the Yellowstone by the end of 1923 season 2, but the prequel show has also paved the way for it as well. At the start of 1923, Spencer was running from his PTSD and avoiding his responsibilities in Africa. Now, however, Spencer is traveling across the world to save his family, and he may be much more willing to accept the responsibility of running the ranch. Plus, he and Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) will have a child to raise, which may be yet another reason Spencer will settle down in 1923 season 2.