Let’s be real — Yellowstone and its prequels (1883, 1923, etc.) have practically become the Marvel Universe of the Western world. And Taylor Sheridan? He’s the mastermind behind it all. But even the sharpest minds can slip up when juggling multiple storylines across decades.

So here’s the deal: There’s a plot hole in 1923 that’s got fans scratching their cowboy hats. It’s not just a minor oversight — it’s big enough to raise questions about whether Sheridan is stretching himself too thin. Let’s dive deep into the details and explore what it could mean for the Dutton dynasty.

🧠  The Yellowstone Universe Is Expanding—But at What Cost?

Sheridan’s creative universe has exploded. From Yellowstone to 1883, 1923, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and even Lioness, he’s clearly in high demand. But more stories mean more opportunities for continuity errors, and fans are starting to notice.

📌 The 1923 Plot Hole That Broke the Internet

So what’s the issue? In 1923, we’re introduced to Jacob Dutton (played by Harrison Ford) and his wife Cara (Helen Mirren). They’re supposed to be the great-uncle and great-aunt of Yellowstone’s John Dutton III. But here’s the twist: the family tree isn’t adding up.

In Yellowstone, John Dutton’s grandfather is said to be James Dutton (played by Tim McGraw in 1883). But in 1923, James is nowhere to be found. Instead, Jacob is running the ranch. That raises a major question: What happened to James, and why isn’t his role in the lineage clear?

🧩 Timeline Confusion — The Math Doesn’t Work Out

Let’s break this down:

• 1883 shows James Dutton settling in Montana.

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• 1923 skips ahead 40 years.

• Yellowstone takes place in the modern era.

If Jacob is running the ranch in 1923, that would suggest James died or disappeared — but that’s never really explained. Even worse, the generational jump doesn’t line up neatly with John Dutton’s age in Yellowstone.

🤠Is Taylor Sheridan Spreading Himself Too Thin?

📺 Juggling Too Many Shows at Once

Sheridan is writing and producing multiple shows at the same time — all packed with complex characters, intertwined timelines, and massive fan expectations. That’s like trying to lasso ten wild horses with one rope.

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Sure, it’s impressive. But it also increases the risk of missteps, like the 1923 plot hole. And fans are starting to notice these cracks in the foundation.

🕵️‍♂️  Quality Over Quantity?

The success of 1883 and Yellowstone came from strong, focused storytelling. Now that the universe has grown, it’s starting to feel a bit… bloated.

We’re seeing characters disappear without explanation. Timelines are fuzzy. And even loyal fans are getting confused. That’s not a good sign.

📚  The Dutton Family Tree — A Tangle of Confusion

🧬  Who’s Related to Who Again?

One of the biggest issues? Nobody can agree on the Dutton family tree. And it’s not because we’re bad at math — it’s because the shows don’t give us clear answers.

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Fans on Reddit and YouTube have built entire timelines trying to figure out how James, Jacob, and John are all connected. The fact that we need charts and spreadsheets just to understand the family line says a lot.

🧓  Where Is James Dutton in 1923?

Seriously — why isn’t James even mentioned in 1923? Did he die? Did he move away? Did Jacob just take over without a word?

It’s a gaping hole in the story. And when you’re building an entire universe around one family, that kind of omission matters.

🎬  Could This Undermine the Entire Yellowstone Saga?

📉 When Continuity Falls Apart

When fans start doubting the timeline, it undermines the emotional investment. Why should we care about a family’s legacy if we’re not even sure who’s in the family?

🧠 Suspension of Disbelief Has Its Limits

We’ll forgive a lot — cowboys surviving shootouts, over-the-top drama — but messing up the core lineage of the Dutton family? That’s where things get shaky.

📣What Fans Are Saying Online

💬  Social Media Reacts

Fans have taken to TikTok, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter) to share their confusion. The most common question?

“How are Jacob and James connected? And where did James go?”

🔥  Fan Theories Are Taking Over

Some think James died off-screen. Others believe Jacob is actually James under a new name. Some even think 1923 is an alternate timeline. The theories are wild — but the fact that they exist at all shows a major storytelling gap.

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🛠️ Can Sheridan Fix It?

✍️  Address the Timeline Directly

One solution? Sheridan could write in a clear explanation in future episodes. A flashback, a letter, even a simple line of dialogue could fix everything.

📘 Release an Official Family Tree

If Marvel can release timelines and character guides, so can Yellowstone. A detailed, official Dutton family tree would go a long way toward clearing the air.

🎯 The Bigger Lesson for Hollywood Creators

🧩  Complexity Requires Consistency

As more creators build shared universes (Marvel, Star Wars, The Witcher, etc.), the need for consistency becomes critical. Sheridan’s situation is a perfect example of what happens when one person takes on too much without a dedicated team for continuity.

🔚 Conclusion: A Warning Sign for the Yellowstone Empire

Taylor Sheridan is a powerhouse — no doubt. But even the most talented showrunner needs help managing a universe this big. The 1923 plot hole might seem small, but it’s a red flag that things could spiral if the storytelling doesn’t stay sharp.

If Yellowstone wants to go down in  TV history as one of the greats, it needs to get its timeline — and its Duttons — in order.