1923 Season 2 has already beat Season 1 in one huge way

We’re not even five episodes into 1923 Season 2 and fans have continuously slammed it for “ridiculous” moments and storylines. But in reality, we might be enjoying it a lot more than Season 1.

For some fans, it feels as though Taylor Sheridan is trying too hard to make Season 2 into something. For others, problems lie with plots including Spencer’s drama with the Mafia and Elizabeth’s “damsel in distress” routine.

If you were to look up a 1923 Reddit thread after any new episode, you’ll likely find it flooded with complaints rather than anything fans seem to enjoy. So when it feels like there’s nothing going for Season 2, what if we’re wrong?

In fact, there’s one possible way our impressions of 1923 Season 2 are completely wrong, and that’s by looking at Season 1.

1923 Season 2 viewership is up 50% from Season 1

Even though Season 1 is looked at as 1923’s golden child, viewing figures for Season 2 are actually up 56% at the same point as Season 1.

Paramount

According to Paramount [via Comic Bases], the Season 2 premiere has now reached 17 million people worldwide, which is a 41% increase compared to the Season 1 premiere over the same period.

The premiere day alone drew 5.4 million viewers, a jump of 146%. We’ve still got four episodes to go, meaning Paramount’s data could change by the time we get to the Season 2 finale. But why are people so frustrated if we’re watching 1923 even more than before?

“The Spencer and Alex effect. People who don’t care about Yellowstone had two years to discover the chemistry and they want to know what happens to them,” one fan summed up, with a second weighing in, “I love the series. I just want Alex and Spencer to get to Dutton Ranch.”

Another fan posted, “Overall, a great series but if it takes them 7.5 episodes to get home, it sucks unless there is a Season 3! Otherwise, not having Spencer and Bride at Yellowstone kills much of the enjoyment of seeing an excellent cast working together. 1883 was The Oregon Trail and 1923 is turning into Jumanji.”

We already know there’s a simple reason why 1923 Season 3 won’t happen, but given this is Taylor Sheridan show… never say never.

For more, find out when new episodes are dropping, and get to know the 1923 cast. You can also check out our guide to the best Westerns of all time for more cowboy (and cowgirl) adventures.