Warning: SPOILERS for 1923 Season 2's Finale - "A Dream and a Memory"

Amid disappointing developments in end to 1923 season 2, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) finally arrives in Montana, helping to win the range war that breaks out upon his arrival. Spencer first helps Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford) take Donald Whitfield’s (Timothy Dalton) men out at the train station in Livingston, and it’s an explosive start to the tactical battle, which ends at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

After taking down the men Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) recruited to attack Spencer at the train station, Spencer helps Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) defeat the final wave of the militia attacking their homestead. Still, Spencer’s triumph is tainted by the loss of his wife, 1923 season 2's finale.

Banner Creighton Had One Of 1923 Season 2’s Most Satisfying Stories

Banner’s Story Was Dynamic From Start To Finish

Banner Creighton redeemed himself in 1923 season 2’s finale, and his was one of the series’ most fleshed-out storylines. In 1923 season 1, Banner is a hard-working sheep herder desperate to maintain his livelihood during a difficult time. Ultimately, Banner’s desperation causes him to act short-sighted in several ways in the first season, allowing his sheep to graze on another rancher’s land and the Yellowstone Ranch, attacking the Dutton family after Jacob retaliates by hanging Banner from a tree. Still, despite his quest for vengeance and enlisting Whitfield in his war, Banner experiences a change.

With his proximity to Whitfield in 1923 season 2, Banner learns the extent of Donald’s sadistic nature. As he grapples with Whitfield’s actions, Banner realizes that while Jacob Dutton didn’t care what happened to him, he wasn’t the truly malicious person that his wealthy partron proved himself to be. Ultimately, realizing that siding with Whitfield isn't worth gaining what the mining tycoon has, Banner tries to make it out of Montana to give his family a new life without sacrificing his humanity. Still, Jacob stops him at the train station, saying he can’t escape the war he started.

Banner Creighton's breaking point was witnessing Whitfield's sadism towards his hired sex workers and being forced to dispose of Christy's (Cailyn Rice) corpse at the Train Station.

Banner puts his family’s security over everything, telling Jacob that he will stay if they can leave. At this moment between Dutton and Creighton, we see how aligned the ranchers are, both inclined to put their family’s well-being above all else. Despite issuing Jacob a grave warning that Whitfield is just the first of many who will try to take his ranch, Banner saves Jacob from Clyde’s (Brian Konowal) gunshot. Then, Creighton takes a bullet himself. Notwithstanding all the strife he'd caused the Duttons, watching Banner die was genuinely sad, proving he had one of 1923’s most effective stories.

The Dutton Family Had Disappointing Endings In 1923 Season 2’s Finale

The Dutton Family Lacked Satisfying Conclusions

While there were bright spots, few of the 1920s Duttons, if any, had a story as well-rounded and profound as Banner’s. Despite massive moments for Spencer, many of the Dutton family ’ storylines fizzled out in the finale amid Alex Dutton’s fate. Despite its fleeting nature, even Alex and Spencer’s reunion was rushed, especially after the horrible things that happened to Alex Dutton in 1923 on her journey to her partner.

Considering Banner’s death was contestably as visceral and shocking as Alex’s, the villain had one of 1923's best stories, rivaling even the Duttons’ most emotional segments.