14/31
The Duttons faced a new set of challenges in the early 20th century, including the rise of Western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. While the Great Depression began in America in 1929, it began very early in Montana. The Great Depression began in Montana in 1918, nearly 10 years before the rest of the country. While the rest of America was prosperous, Montana was struggling. Between drought and a decline in demand for agricultural products, due to the end of the “Great War” (i.e., World War I, from 1914 to 1918), many farmers suffered greatly. As a result, Montana farmers would default on their war loans, leading to widespread bank failures across the state. Between 1921 and 1925, half of Montana’s farmers lost their land. By 1925, 70,000 of Montana’s 82,000 settlers had left. In addition, 200 Montana banks had failed. Not only were crops affected by the drought, but it was also followed by a locust infestation and livestock succumbed to the contagion. Χάρισον Φορντ (2023). Dame Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. Sounds like a winning formula. And it is. The Duttons are once again struggling to maintain their farming lifestyle in Montana. Patriarch (Harrison Ford) Jacob Dutton fights much the same battles as John Dutton (Costner) in Yellowstone. Very entertaining. There are two other very interesting arcs in the story. One is Spencer Dutton. A disillusioned World War I veteran. Now a hunter in Africa. Spencer meets an English woman he likes. Suddenly, the two men learned that they had to travel from Mogadishu, Somalia to Montana. This should be easy… The second arc is told in a school where Native American girls are abused by Catholic priests and nuns. This part was very unpleasant to watch. There was a bit of revenge there that made it somewhat watchable… I normally rate TV shows after 1 season. Not this time. It wasn’t like the last episode. To explain why would be to spoil it. But I will watch season two. I have to…
