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Yellowstone as a TV show doesn’t operate as one specific stand alone tv format show but it acts almost like a ‘world building’ production where different time periods present unique stories, ideas, conflicts all related within a common core identity which is shared by interconnected timelines . This creative choice then provides various methods to re-engage with existing content by revisiting previously used ideas or main character points of view from different contexts that elevates the experience over typical serialized narratives and it is precisely this methodology that now brings up an opportunity to compare and examine various specific entries within their fictional canon as this article shall try and do, today, as it takes some key points and contrasts them for analysis. We plan on carefully looking at a specific prequel series as example: "1923", and connect it to the long term implications this creative choices may present to those deeply invested in “Yellowstone's” main timeline and its cast of characters.
"1923," presents viewers to a new group of characters while still maintaining a similar approach to long form narrative through the Dutton family. The series highlights that ‘newness’ within how they connect old traditions ( mostly coming from rural backgrounds ) with what is seen from rapidly changing more modern eras and how those conflicts start from personal and individual stories all based on external challenges brought up by forces outside of their immediate social structure .
From this core structural analysis we see Jacob and Cara Dutton facing challenges based on personal ambitions ( but they seek these out not solely from a selfish standpoint ) and it's in this core conflict of interests that also creates several side stories and conflicts that feel more like reflections of issues and themes discussed in the ‘core’ Yellowtone series. The show highlights even early during "1923’s" run time that while every individual person may have deeply-held individual ethical foundations it is the way they interact within their respective groups ( either in family, community or social structure) that makes up the overall story as all actions directly affect external members or people with their goals which isn’t common in other formats; the intention is rarely just about pure unmitigated self-interest.
The core structure from “1923” makes a clear point in showcasing each personal relation is equally important as that becomes an invisible ‘power center’ that will then often create great consequences based on any single decision within. A shared value is highlighted throughout as the focus always comes up through personal ethical decisions and interactions that have long-term implications and that’s a great strength from this TV series overall.
Unlike "Yellowstone's" initial story cycle, with present day issues , what “1923” often excels in, is in offering new or different approaches over similar issues without feeling redundant or stale. From Spencer Dutton who is far removed from his family’s internal battles, his struggles aren't with his inner or family ethics, it becomes about external ‘hardship’ instead as his life forces him towards fighting outside forces ( mainly that being himself) . Whilst the rest of his family operates from shared family ideologies or traditions, they remain interconnected through shared trauma and challenges all connected directly with personal responsibility for every consequence faced, they tend to mirror several themes shown in 'Yellowstone'.
From what has been currently seen "1923" has managed to provide fresh perspectives, by creating those unique approaches that also directly impact the future timelines of what the fans know ( even while knowing how those stories could end or not with given timelines from modern 'Yellowstone'), this method allows “Yellowstone’s” core to branch out and also remain fully coherent because of a single unique style always focused towards family value as one, where individual moralities will also conflict without being entirely black or white . Even the choices made, from the smallest to the grandest, often showcase how all individuals create, also, external pressure in all interactions. All members are affected by other characters actions as everyone feels somehow morally obliged and personally connected or invested within their environment even while acting towards vastly opposing end goals.
Both “Yellowstone” main show and it’s expanded "1923" version clearly value specific thematic concepts such as: family ( by showing what happens from both its benefits and problems due to high expectations placed ), the challenge that always emerges when outside values constantly try to impact upon their existing environment. In both set cycles what those family members own are seen as both physical, but as a form of personal identity in which members find security or purpose but also as their deepest source of moral limitations with the desire for power ( either for the family or some personal gain) being equally destructive as many members end up sabotaging each others or personal ambitions by being unable to look through that narrow viewpoint. “1923” as shown, also sets this foundation while adding some important values of its own by portraying their leads in an entirely different light to 'Yellowstone' ( by removing the focus over personal guilt, or internal ethical dilemma ), and instead they chose to highlight the responsibility over self preservation at all cost but often these can, just like in previous shows, create some difficult consequences down their paths.
Also both productions consistently seek to add unique levels by pushing viewers to re-assess ethical decision as most of times ( mostly on “1923” production run) people take terrible choices that most in modern terms might consider unthinkable due to that era. As such all stories always tend to challenge some preconceived notion of ‘correct moral' conduct with more grey nuanced takes over both good and terrible people.
All that has been said should showcase that the “Yellowstone" production framework isn't necessarily a ‘story’ as is but it is, in reality, mostly a long-running narrative that values different formats, unique settings that have a common element between all the ‘units’, but by not giving strict limits between them; each story can ‘branch out’ without feeling restricted into specific story details which allows creative freedom to the individual teams and writers; that specific decision has had good returns so far, that said with new future productions the ‘ risk ‘ may also start growing with greater challenges over character developments and creative continuity but, until that occurs each new individual production allows those interconnected ideas to carry further for that universe by expanding ( not only its plot and cast of characters) but as also unique approaches and philosophical arguments.
Even while maintaining all those shared story or thematic values between separate productions each also acts as ‘stand alone’ experiences while enhancing older productions, “Yellowstone”, or its shared settings are a great examples of how expanding ( not only plots, characters or lore ) but also by including thematic value which elevates its quality far over than what a normal ‘brand building’ approach would normally reach, because by using shared ideals and values, the overall results always seems far more coherent ( and compelling) because everything, from a single smaller arc episode towards large running interconnected stories (like we tend to get in those new series’) create a much larger, complete and more immersive entertainment experience rather than only just a serialized set of unrelated production formats.
The core appeal of "Yellowstone’s " expanded fictional canon is the reliance on interconnected characters all fighting for deeply personal, family, or group based values but the story is never static and that often creates the opportunities for more individual narrative concepts. "1923", for instance, works so effectively, because rather than copying ‘Yellowstone’ it offers unique perspectives over core familiar ideas regarding family ties and challenges and these subtle but critically important shifts creates a far greater product with higher replay value as those connections aren't just in shared names or events, but in its overall message regarding long lasting tradition through character flaws, or personal ethics with constant responsibility and deep meaningful connections; that also elevates these productions much higher and above many, most other shows within similar production genres as the focus was never on quick shock value ( although often presented when necessary) but over human values.
Its from this methodology that a new or more dedicated ‘Yellowstone’ fan may gain better viewing insight by focusing less into singular experiences and instead look onto the shared qualities those production offer so that any small decision from anyone, all the way back from "1883" onwards create ( over time ) long standing and very impactful story arcs that elevates these properties into much more valuable long lasting entertainment instead of a simple isolated TV show viewing; This type of long-form story method with interconnected character based plot arcs may become a common occurrence soon if its unique methods continue showing success.