Why is Elizabeth leaving Jack Dutton in 1923 Season 2 and what might it mean for the Taylor Sheridan show? Explained

A relationship conflict has been building up in 1923 Season 2. The conflict is between Darren Mann's Jack Dutton and Michelle Randolph's Elizabeth Strafford. Their love story was one of the highlights of the previous season. But their story took a turn in the season 1 finale "Nothing Left to Lose," Elizabeth suffers from a miscarriage.

This experience has Elizabeth question her decision to spend the rest of her life in the Dutton ranch due to safety concerns. This is understandable because her stay on the ranch has been defined by loss and endangerment. As she has been dealing with the pain of miscarriage at the beginning of 1923 Season 2, Elizabeth faced not one but two life-threatening situations.

These incidents have a "will they/won't they" storyline for the upcoming episodes of this season.

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The reason behind Elizabeth leaving Jack Dutton in 1923 Season 2 explained:

As stated earlier, Elizabeth Dutton is already in a dark place at the beginning of 1923 Season 2. Adding further to the miserable experience is her encounters with life-threatening situations in the first two episodes of this season. In the first episode, she manages to survive an encounter with a mountain lion. In the second episode, she is bitten by a rabid wolf.

She is injected with a shot after the wolf's bite, and it is after this injury that Elizabeth decides that she can't stand the harsh winter or ranch life anymore. She informs Jack about her decision to leave for Boston, and can come with her if he loves her. Jack, on the other hand, tells her that he needs to stick with his family.

This scene sets up the couple's break up in the next episode that will air next week.

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What does Jack and Elizabeth's split mean for 1923 Season 2?

The Elizabeth Strafford and Jack Dutton love story is one of the most engaging things about both seasons of 1923. seemingly, both of them are right about their stance. Jack can't leave his family behind for a life with Elizabeth because he loves his family and hopes that someone chooses him to be the man running the ranch one day.

Actress Michelle Randolph, who plays the role of Elizabeth, explained her character's mindset in an interview with TV Insider. She said:

“At this point she just wants to survive and she feels like, and for good reason, staying on this ranch is signing a death warrant.”

She further explained Elizabeth's perspective by saying:

“Everyone around her is dying. I mean, Zane’s (Brian Geraghty) head, a mountain lion, a wolf, the nurse gets eaten in the living room. She’s like, is no one seeing this but me? Am I the only one going crazy here? And so that is going through her mind, but that doesn’t make her love Jack (Darren Mann) any less.”

While it may look like Jack and Elizabeth are splitting up, some believe it might not be the case. Some are theorizing that Jack will probably join Elizabeth in Boston, and will probably set up one of the Yellowstone franchise's Boston-based spin-offs.

However, it should be noted that this is just a theory and the upcoming episodes may feature Elizabeth bidding goodbye to the Yellowstone universe for good.

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Find out where Jack and Elizabeth's relationship is heading by watching 1923 Season 2 on Paramount+.