Warning: SPOILERS for 1923 Season 2’s Finale – “A Dream and a Memory”

Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming Yellowstone prequel must address the most pressing unresolved question surrounding Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves) following the events of 1923. The Yellowstone executive producer has hinted at a sequel titled 1944, which will unfold during the tumultuous period of World War II. This new chapter could feature pivotal members of the Dutton lineage, such as Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) and potentially a spectral appearance by Alex Dutton (Julia Schlaepfer). Moreover, 1944 could delve deeper into Teonna‘s journey, particularly after her bittersweet escape from the turmoil she faced in the 1923 finale, where she walks away from the crimes committed against her oppressors.

Teonna Rainwater’s journey begins at a government-run assimilation school operated by the Catholic Church, where she endures horrific abuse at the hands of two nuns, Sister Mary (Jennifer Ehle) and Sister Alice (Kerry O’Malley), ultimately leading her to take their lives in a desperate bid for freedom. As she leaves behind the shackles of her past, Teonna’s newfound liberty comes at a tremendous cost, as she confides to Two Spears (Dougie Hall) in the finale of 1923. Yet, despite the harrowing experiences we have witnessed throughout her life, one significant aspect of Teonna Rainwater’s narrative remains unresolved, leaving viewers hungry for answers.

Why Taylor Sheridan’s 1944 Spinoff Must Delve into Teonna Rainwater’s Connection to the Dutton Family

Exploring How Teonna Rainwater’s Story Mirrors the 1920s Dutton Family Saga

Despite the conclusion of 1923, the connection between Teonna Rainwater and the Dutton family remains a mystery. Teonna’s narrative stands out within 1923 as it exists separately from the Duttons, providing viewers with a richer understanding of the complexities of life in the American West during the challenging times of the Prohibition Era. While it is unfortunate that the darker themes portrayed in 1923 are reflective of real-life atrocities, Teonna’s escape from her oppressive boarding school environment serves as one of the series’ most compelling story arcs. Nevertheless, the Dutton family embodies the core of the Yellowstone franchise, and hints suggest that Teonna’s journey is intrinsically linked to the modern-day saga, particularly centered around Kevin Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton III.

In Yellowstone, John Dutton’s primary adversary, the first individual who sought to seize his land, was Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). The shared surname between Teonna and Thomas Rainwater hints at a potential family connection, suggesting that the tribal chairman may be a descendant of Teonna’s character from 1923. As we reach the conclusion of Teonna’s arc in 1923 season 2, the last we hear is that she is possibly heading toward California, where Two Spears speaks of “fruit on the trees and game on the hills.” This leads us to speculate that Teonna is embarking on a journey westward. Many fans anticipated a direct connection between Teonna’s narrative and the Duttons in 1923, but those expectations were not met.

1944 represents a crucial opportunity to clarify Teonna Rainwater’s connection to the Dutton family, and the creators must capitalize on this chance to engage fans and encourage them to remain invested in Teonna’s journey, especially if she is featured in the cast of 1944. Some fans of Yellowstone started to wane in their interest in the Native American narrative due to a lack of understanding regarding its importance within Yellowstone’s broader narrative timeline, despite its inspiring and subversive qualities. The upcoming series, 1944, has the potential to draw those viewers back in by forging a connection between Teonna’s story and the Dutton family legacy. However, it is imperative for 1944 to seamlessly continue Teonna’s arc, even if her experiences aren’t directly linked to the Dutton lineage.

Exploring Potential Connections Between Teonna and Yellowstone in 1944

Continuing Teonna Rainwater’s Exploration in 1944

As the visionary behind Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan is expected to eventually clarify how Teonna connects to the Yellowstone universe, and there are several potential avenues he could explore in 1944. At the conclusion of 1923 season 2, Two Spears directs Teonna towards California, remarking that there are “more Mexicans and Indians than whites.” This statement is significant, particularly when considering that Thomas Rainwater believed he was of Mexican descent until the age of 18 when his adoption records revealed his true heritage. Thus, Teonna’s journey to a place where her descendants might blend in as Mexican in 1944 could bolster her potential link to Thomas.

If 1944 features Rainwater in California, it could provide audiences with more substantial evidence to support the theory that Teonna is indeed the grandmother or great-grandmother of Thomas Rainwater, substantiating a popular fan theory. Picking up approximately 20 years after 1923, Teonna’s story in 1944 could illuminate her living situation, her struggles, and whether she became a mother. Should Teonna give birth to Pete Plenty Clouds (Jeremy Gauna), 1944 could introduce a 20-year-old child, furthering her lineage. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to recognize that 1944 might be too early to reveal the intricate ties between Thomas and Teonna, as he was born many years later, allowing Sheridan to potentially reserve this connection for a future prequel set in the 1960s.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

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