The best scene in the Yellowstone franchise isn’t from 1923

1923 has its fair share of exciting moments, but they all pale in comparison to one simple moment from another Yellowstone spinoff.

With so many branches on the Dutton family tree, it’s getting increasingly harder to keep track of every era of this cattle ranching clan. There’s Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. Soon, we can add 1944, 6666, and The Madison to that list (although we’ll have to wait to find out just how much the latter two will connect to the Duttonverse.)

1923 shook things up quite a bit, taking the Duttons worldwide and throwing lion-hunting, Harrison Ford, and the invention of the refrigerator into the mix. And the prequel isn’t without its memorable moments (Alex and Spencer getting stranded on a sinking ship isn’t something you’d catch Beth Dutton doing).

However, picking the best moment in the entire franchise is quite easy, since it’s the only one to ever genuinely bring a tear to my eye. 

1883 is the jewel in Yellowstone’s crown

If you’re on the right side of history, then you’ll know 1883 is far and away the best spinoff of the bunch. It’s an epic story that tells the tale of how the Duttons came to find Yellowstone in the first place.

Instead of a fiery ranch opera in the manner of the original series, 1883 has a story that’s worthy of even the best Westerns ever made. Told from the perspective of the eldest Dutton daughter Elsa, 1883 is a coming of age drama, dangerous adventure, and heartbreaking origin story all at once.

Paramount

As the Duttons trek from one side of the country to the other, aided by the company of some clueless Europeans and the hard-headed Shea Brennan, they encounter bandits, rapid rivers, and all forms of wilderness. There’s death and decay everywhere they look, and the journey comes close to breaking every inch of spirit they have.

1883 is undoubtedly Sheridan’s best TV work, and one simple moment between Elsa and Shea proves to be one of his best-written scenes in the franchise.

1883’s best moment is simple and heartbreaking

Elsa’s optimistic journey takes its first harsh turn when her love interest, Ennis, is shot in a gunfight and dies in front of her. From then on, Elsa’s joy at exploring the world is crushed, and she takes a long time to recover from the unexpected heartbreak.

Shea, who has suffered grief of his own, makes an attempt to get on her level. “I know how you feel,” he tells her. “A lot of people are going to tell you that. Whether it’s the truth or not, I don’t know… But I know it’s true when I say it.”

Indeed, our first introduction to Shea is in the opening scene of the show, when he’s forced to burn down his house with the bodies of his disease-ridden wife and daughter inside. Because of this, he knows a thing or two about heartache.  

“I don’t have anyone left that loves me,” he adds. Then, he reveals his reason for making the journey to Oregon: he’s going there to say his final goodbye. He’s heading to the coast, so his wife’s soul can look out at the ocean through his eyes. “That was her dream,” he says.

Yellowstone may not be known for an abundance of genuinely touching exchanges, but watching Sam Elliott deliver this monologue – his bushy white mustache trembling as he holds back tears – is truly gutting.

Paramount

It also manages to do the one thing 1923 (despite its exciting gunfights and globetrotting adventures) fails to do: form true, earnest connections between its characters. In fact, the best we get in 1923 is Alex tearily reading a letter aloud to Spencer informing him of his brother’s death. 

It’s also a huge turning point in 1883 – Elsa starts to pick herself back up, and we feel more understanding of Shea and his constant low-bubbling rage and self-hatred. It’s the most important moment in the prequel series and frankly, perhaps one of the most essential in the entire Yellowstone universe.

For more, check out our list of the best Western TV shows. You can also take a look at the other most emotional Yellowstone moments, and see who we think are the best Yellowstone characters of all time.