40/12
The Dutton family faced a new set of challenges in the early 20th century, including the rise of western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. Although the Great Depression in the United States began in 1929, it began earlier in Montana. The Great Depression began in Montana in 1918, nearly 10 years before the rest of the nation. While the rest of the United States was prospering, Montana was struggling. Between drought and reduced demand for agricultural products following the end of the “Great War” (also known as World War I, 1914 to 1918), many farmers suffered greatly. As a result, Montana farmers reportedly defaulted on wartime loans, leading to widespread bank failures throughout 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 banks in Montana have failed. Not only have crops been affected by drought, but there has also been a plague of locusts and livestock have succumbed to contagions. Appears in Indiana Jones and the Farmer (2023). Dame Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. Sounds like a winning recipe. And it is. The Duttons are once again fighting to maintain their farming way of life in Montana. The patriarch, (Harrison Ford) Jacob Dutton, is fighting virtually 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 girl he likes. Suddenly, the two find themselves having to travel from Mogadishu, Somalia, to Montana. It should be easy… The second arc is told from a school where Native American girls are abused by Catholic priests and nuns. That part was very unpleasant to watch. There was a bit of revenge there that made it somewhat worth watching… I usually rate TV shows after one season. Not this time. I didn’t like the last episode. Explaining why would be a spoiler. But I’m going to watch the second season. I have to…