Double Solstice

[1923 - 1x6 - “One Ocean Closer to Destiny”]

They both get engaged on the spur of the moment and not really thinking much about consequences, especially Alex. From what we've seen, she was born in an upper class family, and somewhat spoiled by her father ("I can beg my father for money"). What will she think of a life of non-stop manual labor under harsh weather?

Spencer's violent nature is simmering within him. I wonder what Alex's reaction will be when he reaches a boiling point. Somehow I think it's Spencer who initiates the branding ritual of the ranch hands at Yellowstone and taking their enemies to the "train station".

Alex talks a lot about their future children, their boy, and there'll certainly be pressure on them to have sons who can continue the family's legacy. What if she can't conceive?

And then there are the other couple of crazy kids! Jack and Elizabeth are just as impulsive. Will they keep living on the ranch? Will the amenities of city life lure Elizabeth and make her resent her choice?

Argh, so many questions! I blame you, Mr. Sheridan!

I think Elizabeth has shown her mettle this episode so I believe she will manage to stick it out. Her and Jack also actually know each other and built a relationship on real values and understanding each other and having the patience to actually get to know one another--and built an emotional connection not built on trauma bonding--i.e. the exact opposite of of Spencer and Alex's relationship.

Part of why I dont like the whole Spencer x Alex thing is that it reads false to me. The Sheridanverse is not a fairytale--and yet as soon as Alex flounces into Spencer's face, there's a notable tonal clash--she lives in a fairytale and has this sense of being the poor princess whose being married off to someone she doesnt love, and sees this handsome, dangerous man who has experienced horror she cannot even begin to understand, so she turns him into this fantasy prince savior at every turn. He will literally say something about himself, and she will immediately translate it into how she wants it to sound to her own ears. Just one example being when he talks about his parents--and instead of asking about them, she says something along the lines of "I like my version better, the one where you come from the wilds of Africa". Its nonsense, and it isnt reality. And its tempting, I'm sure, for him go along with it, for the simple fact that it isnt reality. It isnt his reality, nor the worlds reality. Alex presents a fairytale, simplicity and imagination, and it's just a silly dream. It's not real.

And when that dream ends, she wont make it. How could she? Nothing we have seen have hinted towards any sort of strength. Just selfishness and impulsivity and childishness.

She says that only one of her father’s children live to adulthood, which is clearly Spencer. However, she also says that this child lives to see their children grow into the violence the Twentieth Century keeps throwing at their family.

I keep thinking that they are spending so much time on Spencer and Alex, so maybe she will be the mother of his children, but if Jack is John Dutton’s (Costner) direct ancestor, then clearly Spencer’s children will not inherit the ranch.

Or am I reaching for something that isn’t there? I just feel there is more tragedy in Spencer’s future, whether it’s Alex not being fit for the ranch (and I don’t think she will be after her screaming while up in that tree) or his children.

Good recall on the voice over!

I think Taylor Sheridan is trying to play a trick on us with this voice over. Because even though John Sr. is dead now, he did live to see his son grow up into adulthood, but...

On the trailer of the 5th episode we see Cara comforting Jack, and I wonder if either Emma or Elizabeth die. If the latter, this might be a confirmation that John Dutton III is Spencer's grandson. If the former, then Spencer and Alex might have tragedy coming for them.

They both get engaged on the spur of the moment and not really thinking much about consequences, especially Alex. From what we've seen, she was born in an upper class family, and somewhat spoiled by her father ("I can beg my father for money"). What will she think of a life of non-stop manual labor under harsh weather?

Spencer's violent nature is simmering within him. I wonder what Alex's reaction will be when he reaches a boiling point. Somehow I think it's Spencer who initiates the branding ritual of the ranch hands at Yellowstone and taking their enemies to the "train station".

Alex talks a lot about their future children, their boy, and there'll certainly be pressure on them to have sons who can continue the family's legacy. What if she can't conceive?

And then there are the other couple of crazy kids! Jack and Elizabeth are just as impulsive. Will they keep living on the ranch? Will the amenities of city life lure Elizabeth and make her resent her choice?

Argh, so many questions! I blame you, Mr. Sheridan!

I think Elizabeth has shown her mettle this episode so I believe she will manage to stick it out. Her and Jack also actually know each other and built a relationship on real values and understanding each other and having the patience to actually get to know one another--and built an emotional connection not built on trauma bonding--i.e. the exact opposite of of Spencer and Alex's relationship.

Part of why I dont like the whole Spencer x Alex thing is that it reads false to me. The Sheridanverse is not a fairytale--and yet as soon as Alex flounces into Spencer's face, there's a notable tonal clash--she lives in a fairytale and has this sense of being the poor princess whose being married off to someone she doesnt love, and sees this handsome, dangerous man who has experienced horror she cannot even begin to understand, so she turns him into this fantasy prince savior at every turn. He will literally say something about himself, and she will immediately translate it into how she wants it to sound to her own ears. Just one example being when he talks about his parents--and instead of asking about them, she says something along the lines of "I like my version better, the one where you come from the wilds of Africa". Its nonsense, and it isnt reality. And its tempting, I'm sure, for him go along with it, for the simple fact that it isnt reality. It isnt his reality, nor the worlds reality. Alex presents a fairytale, simplicity and imagination, and it's just a silly dream. It's not real.

And when that dream ends, she wont make it. How could she? Nothing we have seen have hinted towards any sort of strength. Just selfishness and impulsivity and childishness.

Yes, their love is a complete escape from reality for both of them, and it lives and thrives within the realms of Africa. But I get a sense that Spencer realizes this while Alex is still living in her fantasy as you so nicely put. Maybe it's the age difference between them (I'm guessing he's older than her by anywhere between 5 to 10 years, though his timeline is murky on the series), he tries to steer her to reality when she says she wants him to promise her that their lives will always be an adventure, and he says he promises it will never be dull. He's not lying, life on the Dutton ranch is never dull, but it will not always be an adventure and he knows it. He also warns her that there'll be plenty that she won't like in him, but she doesn't give it much thought and I think this will come back to haunt her later on.