Why So Blu?

1923: Season 2 (Blu-ray Review)

This 1923 Season 2 Blu-ray review looks at how Paramount brings the Yellowstone prequel’s second chapter to disc, letting fans own the story instead of relying on streaming. Taylor Sheridan’s drama follows the Dutton family through the harsh realities of the 1920s, blending frontier survival with personal conflict. With Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren delivering commanding performances, 1923 expands the saga in a way that feels both epic and intimate, making this season a must-have for fans of Sheridan’s growing universe.

 

Series

The Yellowstone universe keeps expanding, but 1923: Season 2 feels a little different. Where the first season leaned heavily on violence, despair, and survival at all costs, this continuation takes a step toward balance. The struggles are still brutal, the frontier still unforgiving, yet there’s more breathing room for the story and characters. That slight shift makes the show easier to sink into without feeling crushed by its own weight.

I enjoyed 1923 a bit more than the first season mainly because it amped up the themes of hope and optimism. Smidge, not a whole lot, but just enough to not make it as dour as the first season. I enjoyed the first season as well, but it was a bleak undertaking to say the least. This time around, the moments of compassion, resilience, and even humor give the characters a little more humanity and make the hardships hit even harder.

Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren continue to anchor the series with commanding presence. Ford’s Jacob Dutton carries the quiet intensity of a man who has endured too much but refuses to bend, while Mirren’s Cara Dutton remains the emotional heartbeat of the family. Around them, Taylor Sheridan fills the frame with sweeping Montana landscapes and tense family clashes, pushing the Duttons further into legend while keeping the drama grounded.

What makes 1923: Season 2 stand out is how it broadens Sheridan’s world without losing focus on the personal. It’s a prequel that doesn’t just connect dots for Yellowstone fans but builds its own legacy through character work and atmosphere. This second season has grit, yes, but it also has sparks of light in the darkness, enough to keep you invested in where the Duttons are headed next.

 

Video 

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the Blu-ray.

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 2.00:1

Region: A

HDR: N/A

Layers: BD-50 (3-discs)

Clarity and Detail: The presentation is clean and sharp, showing off the production’s rich period detail—from worn leather coats to the texture of weather-beaten wood.

Depth: The wide Montana vistas look spacious and immersive, giving the Blu-ray a sense of scale that rivals how the show played on streaming.

Black Levels: Night sequences hold steady with deep blacks that don’t wash out the image, though some of the dimmer interiors can flatten slightly.

Color: Earth tones dominate, with the dusty browns and faded greens of the frontier rendered faithfully. Bursts of color, like sunrise skies or Mirren’s costumes, stand out nicely without oversaturation.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones appear natural and healthy, never leaning too red or waxy. Close-ups especially benefit from the crisp encoding.

Noise and Artifacts: Aside from the occasional softness in darker scenes, the encode is free of banding or compression issues, making this a strong Blu-ray transfer.

 

Audio

Audio Format(s):  English Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH

Dynamics: The mix balances quiet dialogue-driven moments with sudden bursts of gunfire or sweeping music cues. Volume shifts feel natural without forcing you to ride the remote.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: Bass support gives weight to horse hooves, thunder, and gunshots. It’s not wall-rattling, but it grounds the track with satisfying punch.

Surround Sound: Environmental effects like wind, rain, and bustling town life fill the rear channels, creating a sense of place. Action scenes benefit from a wraparound presence that makes you feel dropped into the middle of the Duttons’ struggles.

Dialogue: Voices remain crisp and clear, even with Ford’s gravelly delivery. Conversations never get buried under music or effects, which is key in a series so dependent on family tension and verbal sparring.

 

Extras

The Blu-ray comes with a solid slate of extras that dig into both the production and the characters. Darkness Cannot Hide: 1923 Returns provides an overview of the season, while The Shroud of Winter explores the detailed sets and costumes. Featurettes like The Women of 1923 and 1923: Teonna’s Story highlight the show’s powerful performances, and What Would You Bring Back from 1923 adds a lighter touch. Rounding things out, each episode includes a “Behind the Story” segment for a deeper dive into the themes and creative choices.

Special Features

• Darkness Cannot Hide: 1923 Returns
• The Shroud of Winter: Production Design & Costumes
• The Women of 1923
• 1923: Teonna’s Story
• What Would You Bring Back from 1923
• Behind the Story For Every Episode

Summary

1923: Season 2 on Blu-ray delivers exactly what fans of Taylor Sheridan’s expanding universe want: strong performances, sweeping western drama, and a presentation that does justice to the show’s cinematic scale. The video and audio transfers are impressive, and the supplements give a welcome behind-the-scenes look at the production. For Yellowstone loyalists or anyone who prefers owning over streaming, this release is an easy recommendation.

 

 

1923: Season 2 is available on Blu-ray.

ORDER NOW!

 

Paid Advertising Link