20/44
Between 1921 and 1925, half of Montana’s farmers lost their land
Synopsis
The Duttons faced a new set of challenges in the early 20th century, including the rise of Westward Expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. While the Great Depression in the United States began in 1929, it began early in Montana. The Great Depression began in Montana in 1918, nearly 10 years before the rest of the nation. While the rest of America was prospering, Montana was struggling. Between the drought and the reduced demand for agricultural products due to the end of the “Great War” (also known as World War I, from 1914 to 1918), many farmers suffered greatly. As a result, Montana farmers would default on war loans, which led to widespread bank failures throughout the state.
And it is
By 1925, 70,000 of Montana’s 82,000 homesteaders had left. In addition, 200 banks in Montana failed. Not only were crops affected by the drought, but there was also a locust infestation and livestock succumbing to the contagion. Featured in Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford (2023). Dame Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. Sounds like a winning recipe.
One is Spencer Dutton
The Duttons are once again fighting to maintain their rural Montana way of life. The patriarch, (Harrison Ford) Jacob Dutton, is fighting much the same battles that John Dutton (Costner) fought in Yellowstone. Very entertaining. There are two other very interesting story arcs. A disillusioned WWI veteran. Now a hunter in Africa.
Should be easy
Spencer meets an English girl he likes. Suddenly, the two find themselves having to travel from Mogadishu, Somalia, to Montana. The second arc is told from a school where Native American girls are abused by Catholic priests and nuns. That part was highly unpleasant to watch. There was a bit of revenge going on there that made it somewhat watchable… I usually rate TV shows after 1 season.
Not this time
I didn’t like the last episode. To explain why would be to spoil the surprise. But I’m going to watch season 2. I have to…