1923 season 2 may have concluded with a film-length finale, but some of its stories remain unfinished, especially as regards to Elizabeth Strafford (now Dutton, played by Michelle Randolph) and Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves).

After the untimely demise of her husband Jack, Liz makes the decision to leave the ranch and make her own way in the world. Teonna, meanwhile, is granted her freedom through a combination of Deputy Marshal Fossett’s kindness and due process of nascent U.S. law. Both are heading in a new direction, unsure of their destinations.

While Liz and Teonna never crossed paths in 1923’s run, Randolph and Nieves joked in a recent interview with ScreenRant that they’d like to see “the girls hand in hand on horseback,” either in Taylor Sheridan’s follow-up series 1944 or any other storytelling method.

While it may be a facetious comment, it has its roots in an unexpected reality – both women have found themselves in statis throughout the show, finally being given liberation (however unwelcome in Liz’s case) in the last moments.

ScreenRant interviewed Randolph and Nieves about how they perceived the roller coaster of emotions their characters went through in the 1923 season 2 finale, and their responses were very insightful. While Randolph dove deeper into Liz’s love for Jack and his blame in chasing after his own death, Nieves explained her take on the relationship between Teonna and Fossett. The duo also shared where they see themselves next in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe.

Liz Finally Becomes A True Dutton In The 1923 Season 2 Finale – Before It’s Ripped Away

“It Felt Like A Release Of Energy That She’d Been Bottling Up”

Despite taking a leap of faith and agreeing to the life of a ranch owner’s wife at the start of 1923, Elizabeth Strafford spent much of season 2 dissatisfied with her situation and longing to return to a semblance of normal.

One can’t blame her, given the number of tragedies that befell her soon after she and Jack exchanged vows – a massacre, a miscarriage, an attack by a possibly rabid wolf, and much more. But it wasn’t until the season 2 finale that Liz Dutton had the chance to stand her ground and fight back.

Because she’s a Dutton, and that’s what you do when you’re a Dutton.

I asked Randolph how it felt to finally step into her power as Liz, specifically during the shootout at the ranch, where she saves Zane’s life by using a gun instead of hiding as she was told. “I’m happy she finally had her moment,” the actor gushed.

“It felt like a release of a lot of energy that she’d been bottling up, and I loved seeing where she started in season 1 to then where she ended in season 2.”

However, Randolph hopes viewers would not mistake Liz’s previous indecision for weakness. “There’s always been an element of strength to Elizabeth,” she explained. “But I think that you really get a chance to see that in the finale. She so easily could have just gone and hidden in the basement, but there’s a reason that she’s chosen to stay and fight. Because she’s a Dutton, and that’s what you do when you’re a Dutton.”

Aminah Nieves Hopes We Haven’t Seen The Last Of Teonna & Marshall Fossett

“There’s A Lot Of Nuance Between The Two Of Them”

By trusting her side of the story and letting her have her day in court, Deputy Marshall Fossett shows Teonna perhaps the first kindness she ever received from a settler in the entire run of 1923. While the young woman seems shocked by the gesture, Nieves revealed that she has her own deeper interpretation of their dynamic.

“I think that even the first time they met, when they locked eyes during the chase, there was a pure understanding,” the actor shared.

“It was an immediate understanding between the two of them, but I think it did catch her off guard — and I think it caught Fossett off guard too.”

Nevertheless, it was rooted in Mamie’s unwavering belief that Teonna (whom she had never met) could not be guilty of the alleged atrocities without extenuating circumstances. “Fossett’s instincts the entire time were, ‘This girl is no killer. You’re talking about a child.’ I don’t think she ever trusted those men from the beginning, so there was always an understanding between them.”

The trust that their few scenes fostered even led Teonna to falter before setting off on her journey alone. “When Fossett gave her the opportunity to stay or go, I think for a split second, Teonna was kind of like, ‘Wait, can you help me?’” Nieves added. “But she didn’t want to say it. She was looking at her, honestly, a little bit motherly – even though it was snarky.” And it honestly was motherly, seeing as the only other woman in 1923 not to harm Teonna had been her grandmother.

“There’s a lot of nuance between the two of them,” the actor concluded passionately, explaining that she wasn’t done with either Teonna’s journey or Mamie’s. “I honestly would love to see them together again, and to see what that would look like.”

Jack Dutton May Have Made Mistakes, But Elizabeth Loved Him Dearly

“Maybe He’d Still Be Alive Had He Not Gone”

ScreenRant: The show makes a point that Jack was unwise to go after his great-uncle, implying he is partially responsible for his untimely demise. We don’t get to see much of how Liz processes that, but how do you think she feels?

Michelle Randolph: I think she’s devastated. She lost a part of herself. She sacrificed her whole life to be with this man, who sometimes acts like a boy, who dies. And I think part of her heartbreak is that he chose to leave, and it was his immaturity of wanting to go be a part of the fight when really his priority should have been her. Maybe he’d still be alive had he not gone.

But I also understand the loyalty he has for his family, and how important that is, and that is what would ultimately protect Elizabeth at the end of the day. Basically, that’s a whole lot of words to say, “I don’t know.” I processed that with you.

Liz & Teonna Have Bright Futures Ahead Of Them After 1923

Unless Taylor Sheridan Has Anything To Say About It

ScreenRant: When we last see Teonna, we still aren’t sure of where she’ll end up, and there are several steps left before we can reach where we first meet Thomas Rainwater in Yellowstone. What do you hope to see for her?

Aminah Nieves: I am a dreamer, and I dream vividly. I believe Teonna can be 80 and just have a beautiful life with hair all the way down to her knees, just spreading wisdom and light to everyone around her, still fighting the good fight and not wavering…

But also, it’s the Taylor Sheridan universe! Still, that’s my biggest dream. I dream that she’s able to have a baby, and maybe even more than one. I want her to have a full-bodied life. She’s deserving of that. And I think everything that led up to this point in her life will only inform her to be a magnificent, matriarchal woman.

ScreenRant: A full-bodied life is also what Aunt Cara wishes for Elizabeth when she sends her off. Where might that lead her, given that she’s still pregnant when last we see her?

Michelle Randolph: There are so many places that could go. I think it’s devastating for Elizabeth to leave and abandon Cara, and to go to a place where no one understands what she just went through. And now, she has to try to start over with this baby. I just think there are so many possibilities for a story to be told.

But again, who knows? Aminah and I are going to write our own sequel.

Aminah Nieves: The girls hand in hand on horseback!

Michelle Randolph: Dinner date tonight! We’re going to bring a pen and paper.

Check out our other 1923 season 2 episodes here:

All episodes 1923 season 2 are available to stream on Paramount+.