The Paramount+ show 1923 has become a huge hit with its intense and gripping storyline set in the early twentieth century. It follows a new generation of the Dutton family as they face pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression during this challenging period of history. Now that its first season is over, fans are eager to know which episodes were the best. In this article, we will rank the top 1923 episodes to provide viewers with a guide for which episodes to watch first.
Each episode of 1923 is packed with intense drama that will have viewers hooked from start to finish. With a season of 12 episodes, viewers have plenty of content to enjoy. But not all episodes are created equal. From the season premiere to the heart-stopping finale, we will rank the 1923 episodes to give viewers an idea of which ones are the best.
In this article, we will rank the best 1923 episodes based on a combination of factors such as storyline, character development, and suspense. Read on to find out which episodes of 1923 are the must-watch picks.
Written by Sophie and last updated on mar 04, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
The first episode of 1923 has a lot of promise, and viewers are likely to be pleased with the political intrigue and opposing factions that are ramping up the stakes. This episode features a strong cast, good screenplay and gorgeous cinematography, as is typical of works by Taylor Sheridan and Ben Richardson. Isabel May was brought back to narrate, and she does an excellent job.
However, the episode wasn’t perfect. The story didn’t quite pull viewers in right away and felt a little disjointed at times. Additionally, the animal CGI was subpar, particularly in the episode’s closing minutes. Despite these issues, viewers are likely to be optimistic for the rest of the season, especially with the promise of great performances from Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 969 votes.
In the 1923 episode "Nature's Empty Throne," Jacob and the Yellowstone cowboys face a dilemma as they must save one of their own. Meanwhile, Teonna continues to suffer under the oppressive reign of Sister Mary. Cara and Emma talk about Elizabeth and Jack, and Alexandra makes a bold decision.
Viewers had mixed feelings about this episode. While many were excited for Taylor's vision and the storylines that were presented, others felt that the episode was moving too slowly. Some scenes were enjoyed, but others felt that Teonna's storyline was too repetitive. Despite this, viewers were pleased at the consistency of character temperaments from the 1883 episode to this one.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 1072 votes.
Banner Creighton is met with a surprise, as the feud with the Duttons takes an unexpected turn. Captain Shipley says his goodbyes to Spencer and Alexandra as the next leg of their journey commences. Teonna continues to fight for her safety.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 865 votes.
Spencer and Alexandra's long journey back to Montana begins in the 1923 episode of the show, "Ghost of Zebrina." After their run-in with Banner and Whitfield, the two are determined to return home and reclaim their rightful place in the valley. Meanwhile, Teonna is desperate to ensure her own freedom and safety, and takes extreme measures to do so.
The situation in this episode could have been avoided if Spencer and Alexandra had taken the action that a Dutton would normally take and killed Banner. However, despite the challenges they face, Spencer and Alexandra's return to Montana is a welcome relief to fans, who were getting tired of the month-long absence. Perhaps, with a bit of luck, they can find some white heather to bring them more luck on their journey home.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 999 votes.
Spencer and Alexandra's fate is revealed after the tugboat crash in the episode One Ocean Closer to Destiny. Cara and McDowell begin the process of hiring new Livestock Officers and Teonna covers her tracks as Marshalls come looking. Things take a turn for the romantic when Jacob gifts Spencer with his wife's watch, saying that she would approve of him wearing it on the sea.
The episode is filled with suspense and emotions as the viewers are left wondering if Spencer and Alex will make it out together. With Taylor in complete control of the viewers' emotions, it seems unlikely that Spencer will make it to Montana anytime soon. Despite all the trepidation, the episode manages to create a special moment between Spencer and Jacob, adding a touch of romance to the show.
The episode was rated 7.99 from 939 votes.
The feud between Whitfield, Banner, and the Duttons reaches the point of no return. Spencer and Alexandra encounter a different kind of peril on their passenger ship home. Marshalls track Teonna, who finds a rare respite of hope.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 772 votes.
In the 1923 episode "The War Has Come Home," Jacob, Cara, and the Duttons head into town to take care of some business and pleasure. Meanwhile, Spencer and Alexandra decide not to waste any time and find themselves in new danger. It becomes clear that the feud with the sheepherders is far from over.
Viewers were somewhat disappointed with the first 45 minutes of the episode, feeling it was a bit pointless. There was also some confusion as to why Isabel May was narrating, as her character is dead. However, viewers still enjoyed the episode overall. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren were praised for seamlessly fitting into their characters, and Jack and Elizabeth were also noted as lovable characters. Spencer was established as a fan favorite, and he got the Kayce Dutton treatment. The girls school plot line was seen as tragic, but in a meaningful way. The episode also brought a shocking event that viewers did not expect.
The episode was rated 8.13 from 1084 votes.
The 1923 episode War and the Turquoise Tide was a masterpiece of story-telling. In the wake of a devastating attack, Cara and the Duttons had to carefully plan their next move. Meanwhile, Spencer and Alexandra were blissfully unaware of what was happening back in their home. Banner Creighton, determined to make a powerful ally, set off on his own mission.
The episode had an impressive flow and timing that handled the complexities of the storylines. It was great to see Teonna taking initiative to get the job done, and the letter that came about was a nice surprise. Fans of the show were made very happy with this treat that Sheridan provided. It was long-awaited for Banner to go home, and Matriarch Cara sure did not disappoint with her actions. However, the wait for the next episode seems far too long!
The episode was rated 8.19 from 1039 votes.
