Brandon Sklenar Tears Up Breaking Down ‘Devastating’ 1923 Finale: ‘It F—– Me Up’ (Exclusive)

Alert: Major plot revelations ahead for 1923‘s second season conclusion.

Brandon Sklenar confessed to being emotionally overwhelmed during filming for the 1923 finale chapter.

Prior to the Yellowstone origin story’s climactic episode airing April 6, Sklenar (portraying battle-scarred adventurer Spencer Dutton) and Julia Schlaepfer (as his daring spouse Alex) shared insights with PEOPLE about their characters’ tragic conclusion.

“The emotional toll was immense. I found myself genuinely overcome during those heartrending scenes,” Sklenar revealed, referencing the pivotal moment where Alex gives her life to protect their newborn – a child she names John after Spencer’s late brother.

Before this ultimate sacrifice, the estranged lovers experience a dramatic reunion when Spencer leaps from a speeding locomotive to rescue Alex from freezing wilderness conditions. While Alex receives frostbite treatment in Bozeman, a violent confrontation erupts at Livingston station between Jacob Dutton’s allies (Harrison Ford) and mercenaries hired by antagonist Whitfield (Timothy Dalton).

After surviving global odysseys to reach Montana, Spencer reunites with aunt Cara (Helen Mirren) before racing to his wife’s hospital bedside – only to discover her life slipping away from frostbite complications.

“When Alex delivers her final line about imagining fields, I completely broke down,” Sklenar admitted. “I’m an ugly crier – think nasal waterfalls. It wasn’t a pretty sight.”

Schlaepfer acknowledged fan disappointment, stating: “Viewers will rage against this cruel fate after her season-long struggles. But her selfless act epitomizes Alex’s strength – even cracking jokes with her last breaths.”

Recalling their final exchange, Sklenar quoted: “‘If he’s anything like me, he’ll be a terrible child.’ That dark humor destroys you.”

The actress praised her character’s parting words as “perfectly iconic,” while Sklenar grew visibly emotional discussing the couple’s tragic arc: “Their journey was relentlessly harsh. It still haunts me.”

The morning after Alex’s death finds Spencer awakening beside her corpse still clutching their infant. Sklenar explained: “That numb stillness reflects shock becoming reality. Touching her cold cheek makes it final – I channeled lost childhood vulnerability rather than adult grief.”

This vulnerability swiftly transforms into vengeful resolve. “Pure rage takes over,” Sklenar noted. “Spencer’s immediate focus becomes eliminating Whitfield.”

Schlaepfer revealed Alex’s self-awareness about her fate: “She recognizes her mortality early, choosing to prioritize their child’s survival over her own. Those final hours become about protecting new life through her sacrifice.”

The climax sees Spencer forcing Whitfield to utter Alex’s name before executing him, then torching the villain’s estate. A postscript narrated by Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) reveals Spencer never remarried but raised two sons while managing the family ranch until his death 45 years later.

Though denied earthly happiness, the finale offers celestial consolation – the lovers reunite in afterlife, Alex humorously chiding Spencer’s delayed arrival as they share an eternal dance.

The complete second season of 1923 is currently available on Paramount+.