Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn) may have paved the way for the next Yellowstone prequel show at the end of 1923 season 2, thanks to one important line. Banner Creighton has always been an important part of the cast of 1923, but he became an even more vital player at the end of 1923 season 2. In the finale, Banner finally turned on his evil business partner, Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), and decided to get himself and his family out of Montana. Unfortunately, that decision came a bit too late, and Banner became one of several main characters who died in 1923 season 2’s finale.

Though Banner Creighton died after being shot by Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick), he could still have a big impact on the Yellowstone timeline. Now that 1923 is over, many viewers are eagerly awaiting the next Yellowstone spinoff show Taylor Sheridan has in store. It’s still a long ways away, but Sheridan’s next Yellowstone prequel, 1944, will continue 1923‘s story. If I’m right about the importance of one of Banner Creighton’s final words, then we already know who 1944‘s main villain will be.

Banner Creighton’s Family Is Starting A New Life In Oregon After 1923

Ellie & Henry Creighton Got On The Train To Portland After Banner’s Death

The entire reason Banner Creighton was at the train station at the same time as the Duttons and the rest of Whitfield’s men is because he was trying to get his family out of Montana. He bought Ellie (Sarah Randall Hunt) and Henry (Justin Stella) tickets to Portland, Oregon, before Jacob (Harrison Ford) confronted him. While Banner’s plan obviously didn’t go off perfectly, Ellie and Henry did manage to get on the train unscathed and will presumably make it to Oregon safely. Jacob even gave his word that it would happen, which gave Banner peace in his final moments.

The fact that Henry and Ellie got out of Montana safely is important, but there was one moment before then that could be even more pertinent to 1944. Henry asked why he didn’t have a future in Montana, and Banner replied that “A man can’t get rich in Montana. He gets rich somewhere else, then he comes to Montana, and he gets even richer.” That line, and the money Banner gave to Ellie, may hint at exactly what Henry is planning to do once he reaches Oregon: make a fortune and come back to Montana.

Henry Creighton Likely Won’t Forget That The Duttons Killed His Father

Sheriff McDowell Pulled The Trigger, But Banner’s Feud With Jacob Dutton Got Him Killed

Going to Oregon saved Ellie and Henry’s lives, but it didn’t solve all their problems. Ellie still had to watch Banner get shot down by Sheriff McDowell, and Henry now has to take care of his mother and finish growing up all alone. Henry Creighton will likely never forget the role the Duttons played in Banner’s death, even though Sheriff McDowell is the one who actually killed his father. It was, after all, Banner and Jacob’s land dispute that started all the trouble in the first place, and McDowell only shot Banner because the former had sided with the Duttons.

Henry Creighton Could Come Back To Montana To Be 1944’s Main Villain

Henry Might Listen To Banner’s Words & Return To Montana To Get Even Richer In 1944

With all those pieces in place, I feel like 1923 subtly set up 1944‘s main villain. I can almost see Henry Creighton going to Oregon, making a fortune of his own through gold, logging, or some other industry, and coming back to Montana both for more money and to avenge his father. It would make a lot of sense for Henry to still want revenge for Banner’s death, even though 1944 takes place 20 years after 1923. Plus, that time skip is the perfect length for Henry to have the years and resources necessary to take down a dynasty as powerful as the Dutton family tree.

Henry would also be a great antagonist for 1944. He’s basically a perfect foil for both the Duttons and, more specifically, John Dutton II, Spencer’s son. Henry is the next step in the Creighton family lineage, and the money he got from Banner basically makes the Creightons a less powerful and more ruthless version of the Duttons. Henry also directly benefitted from his father’s sins, just as John II will benefit from all the people Spencer murdered. John II would also have plenty of reason to go after Henry in turn, as Spencer blamed Whitfield – and, by extension, Banner – for Alexandra’s death.

With Henry Creighton as its protagonist, 1944 could be poised to give the Duttons their most daunting villain yet. Henry’s vengeance for Banner would force Spencer to confront the uglier parts of his decisions and justify them to John II. Additionally, if Henry did make a fortune in Oregon, he would basically combine the resources and power of Donald Whitfield with the white-hot rage and passion of Banner Creighton into a much more intimidating antagonist. I don’t know for sure that Taylor Sheridan will continue focusing on the Creightons after 1923, but I am sure that it would be a great decision to do so.