1923 Season 2 needs to resolve one unanswered question about Jacob & Cara

1923 Season 2 is going to round out this era of the Dutton family, but it would be great to get answers on one lingering question about Jacob and Cara.

Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren are back in the Yellowstone spinoff, and this time, the elder Duttons have their work cut out for them. It’s winter in Montana, which means harsh conditions, little food, and wild animals. All this, plus they still have to worry about paying off Donald Whitfield’s taxes as not to lose the ranch.

That’s a lot of work, considering the ranch wasn’t even theirs to begin with. Jacob took over the running after James and Margaret Dutton died, to help their children, Spencer and John I.

Clearly, the Dutton family loyalty is strong. However, it does leave questions about why Jacob and Cara didn’t have any children of their own to care for.

Jacob and Cara Dutton never had children of their own in 1923

Since we don’t know much about Jacob and Cara’s past, it’s led fans to wonder why the couple never had children.

As one Redditor asked, “Why did Jacob and Cara not have any children of their own? Do we know?”

Jacob clearly served as a father figure of sorts for John, and Jack now that his father died. Cara’s also stepped up, leading the ranch with a firm hand and ensuring emotional support for Jack and Elizabeth.

Paramount+

Needless to say, they would have made great parents. But as one response pointed out, “It just doesn’t happen for some couples.”

One theory that popped up was that Jacob and Cara did have children, but they died before 1923. To support this theory, you only need to revisit the Yellowstone pilot, where John Dutton III remembers the different gravestones on the property.

They say “Ned Dutton” and “Chase Dutton,” though none of the shows ever confirm their identity. Could these be Jacob and Cara’s deceased children?

Paramount

As one user wrote, “I read someone else theorize that maybe they were Jacob and Cara’s sons that had passed away young. [John] wouldn’t have known them of course. And if that’s the case, why not think of Elsa, or his own brother, Peter, that he mentions to Kaycee’s wife at their son’s funeral?”

However, another (simpler) theory is that Jacob and Cara simply ran out of time to have a family.

“They mention in one scene they’d been married 44 years,” said one comment. “Idk how old they’re meant to be in the show, but Helen Mirren herself is almost 80, which would put her in her mid 30s when they married. Certainly not too old to have babies, but she would’ve practically been considered an old maid during that time.”

“When Elizabeth loses the baby, Jack explains that maybe she’ll be like his Aunt Cara and will raise and love others babies, and teach people,” noted another.

1923 Season 2 Episode 1 is available to stream on Paramount+ now.

Learn more about the Dutton family tree with our guide. You can also see what’s going on with upcoming spinoffs like 6666 and The Madison. Or, check out all the other new TV shows coming out this month.