8 Biggest Unanswered Questions From The Madison Season 1

Be warned, this article reveals major plot points from season 1 of The Madison! The first season of The Madison, created by Taylor Sheridan, concluded with a surprising twist that has viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment. The show centers on the Clyburn family – Preston (Kurt Russell) and Stacy (Michelle Pfeiffer) – and how their lives are upended by a sudden tragedy. Their daughters, Abby (Beau Garrett), a single mother of two, and Paige (Elle Chapman), who is married to Russell McIntosh (Patrick J. Adams), are also central to the story.

When Preston dies in a plane crash while on a fishing trip with his brother Paul, his family – including his wife, Stacy, and their daughters – moves temporarily to his cabin in southwest Montana’s Madison River valley. Preston had always hoped they would visit, but they never had the chance. Following his death, they finally make the journey to Montana, and in doing so, begin to heal emotionally.

I’m thrilled to hear that The Madison is coming back for a second season! Even better, they’ve already finished filming it, which is fantastic news. Now, I’m just eagerly awaiting a premiere date – and honestly, I have so many questions after the first season that I need answered when it returns!

Why Did Paul Fly Into The Storm?

In the first episode of season one of The Madison, Paul and his brother Preston are killed in a plane crash; Paul was flying the plane. For the past twenty years, Paul had been living a solitary life in Montana following the death of his wife, Melissa, who was fatally struck by a vehicle. He and Preston had constructed cabins in Montana, where Paul resided full-time and Preston would visit to get away from city life and reconnect with his brother.

Paul surprised his friend Preston with a birthday trip to the remote Big Lost River in Idaho – a place normally reached only by horseback. Paul had special permission to fly them there in his small plane. During the trip, Preston spotted a developing storm, but Paul dismissed it. They ultimately decided to return to Montana, but Paul lost control of the plane in the storm, and both men were killed in the crash. As the plane went down, Preston called out his wife Stacy’s name.

The main mystery surrounding the plane crash is why Paul flew directly into the storm. While some believe he intentionally crashed as a way to end his life, others argue he wouldn’t have risked his brother’s life as well. Episode 4 reveals Paul’s emotional state when discussing his late wife’s birthday. Preston expresses concern about losing purpose in life, and Paul responds by saying Preston believes finding a long-term partner would prevent suicide. He then points out that Preston is the only person who never pressured him to change, and asks him not to start now.

Paul feels he’ll never love again, explaining that he truly meant ‘until death do us part’ when he married his wife. In the sixth episode, he expresses a belief that life is chaotic and without rules. He’s angry with God, feeling abandoned after his wife was tragically hit by a car. Overcome with grief, Paul admits he wishes he could physically remove the pain he feels, and says he’s simply heartbroken and misses his wife terribly.

While it seems improbable, there’s a possibility Paul deliberately flew into the storm as a suicide. Several members of the Clyburn family clearly blame him for Preston’s death – Abby even publicly cursed him at the funeral for taking her father away. Sadly, the actor who played Paul won’t be back for season two of The Madison, but the show will still explore the reasons behind his fateful flight.

Will Stacy Move To Montana Permanently?

In the final moments of The Madison’s sixth episode, Stacy disappears during a memorial service for Preston in New York City. She leaves her phone behind and travels to Montana, keeping her location a secret from her family. Concerned, Abby files a missing persons report. Stacy had mentioned wanting to live in Preston’s cabin in Montana, particularly since he was buried there, but she ultimately came back to New York. Abby and Paige were surprised by this, as they didn’t believe their mother could handle living in Montana.

It doesn’t take long to realize Stacy feels lost and doesn’t belong in New York City anymore. She confides in her close friend, Liliana Weeks (played by Rebecca Spence), that she wants to sell the house she shares with her late husband, Preston. Although hesitant, Stacy agrees to hold a memorial for Preston at the house after Liliana persuades her, but she makes it clear she’d rather not be there.

Following a therapy session with Dr. Phil Yorn (Will Arnett) at the memorial, Stacy decides she no longer wants to be involved and walks away. The episode, titled “I Give Me Permission,” suggests Stacy is finally allowing herself to make her own choices, potentially meaning she’ll remain in Montana even if her family disapproves.

What’s Next For Van & Abby?

via MovieStillsDB

Abby experiences a romantic connection with Van, a deputy sheriff, while living in Montana. However, they both recognize that a future together isn’t realistic, as neither wants to relocate. Even when Stacy threatens to end their relationship if Abby doesn’t move to Montana, Abby hesitates to disrupt her and her children’s lives. Ultimately, Abby returns to New York City, leaving Van behind, despite her mother’s advice to try and make things work with him.

When Paige gets arrested for hitting a colleague back in New York City, Abby turns to Van for assistance, hoping he can talk to the police. She’d just introduced him to her friends and shared how well they’d connected. Abby seeking Van’s help in this situation clearly shows she still has feelings for him.

When Van learns Stacy is in Montana without her phone, he’ll probably contact Abby to reassure her that Stacy is safe. This might lead Abby to return to Montana, especially since her ex-husband, Dallas, is now being more supportive with their daughters, Bridgette and Macy. The girls also seem to be adjusting well to Montana – Macy enjoyed fishing with Stacy, and Bridgette went horseback riding with a neighbor – so a permanent move there with Abby is a possibility.

Exactly How Did The Clyburns Make Their Fortune?

The Clyburn family is a long-standing and wealthy New York City family, though where their money originally came from remains a mystery. Abby and Paige clearly grew up with considerable advantages, suggesting their parents, Preston and Stacy, built their fortune some time ago. While the source of the Clyburns’ wealth may not seem important, it could actually make it harder for Stacy to leave New York than she anticipates.

Will Paige & Russell Ever Go Back To Montana?

Paige lost her job in New York City after a physical altercation with a colleague. The incident occurred after she angrily stated that Preston should not live due to his advantages and the environmental impact of private airplanes, leaving her future uncertain.

In the fifth episode of The Madison‘s first season, Russell tells Stacy he and Paige want to start a family and move away from the city to raise their kids. Paige losing her job might be what finally pushes them to leave New York City and start a new life in Montana. But as their struggles with the outhouse show, they’ll need to adjust to country living – and a lack of modern conveniences – if they plan to stay long-term.

Will Cade Ever Tell Anyone About Stacy & The Gun?

In the third episode of the first season of The Madison, Stacy’s neighbor, Cade Harris (played by Kevin Zegers), accompanies her to retrieve Paul’s car. During the drive back, Cade sees Stacy pull over. Approaching the vehicle, he discovers she’s holding a gun she found in the car’s console. Realizing Stacy may be contemplating suicide, he warns her against making a permanent decision based on temporary feelings.

Cade shares that suicide runs in his family, explaining that his father, uncle, and brother all died by suicide. He then offers to hold onto Stacy’s gun for safekeeping. In the final episode of the season, Cade discovers Stacy at Preston’s graveside with the gun nearby. It initially seems like she may have attempted suicide, but she suddenly wakes up, thankfully alive.

It will be interesting to see if Cade shares his worries about Stacy with her family. Having experienced a family member’s suicide, it feels like the right thing for him to do. He’ll probably contact Abby and Paige to confirm their mother is physically safe, but it’s unclear whether he’ll also tell them about her emotional struggles.

Will Stacy Continue Therapy With Phil?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

If Stacy moves to Montana, she probably won’t continue seeing her therapist, Dr. Phil Yorn, because the distance would make regular visits impossible. Their therapy is unusual – she often verbally attacks him, and he sometimes drinks with her, believing it helps her release her emotions. When Stacy asks Dr. Yorn to attend a memorial service for someone named Preston, he agrees. Ultimately, it’s his advice that leads Stacy to leave unexpectedly and return to Montana without saying goodbye.

Stacy and Phil provide some much-needed humor on The Madison, but seeing them connect by video call while Stacy is at the cabin won’t be quite as funny. Still, Stacy needs a friend to lean on, and she might continue talking to Phil for support as she deals with her grief. It would be funny – and a little chaotic – if she brought him to the cabin with him and his famously bad sweaters!

Will The Madison Eventually Connect To Yellowstone?

Originally, The Madison was going to be called 2024 and continue the story of Sheridan’s popular show, Yellowstone. However, the show has since been reimagined and is now a standalone series, no longer connected to Yellowstone.

Even the cast isn’t sure if The Madison will eventually tie into the world of Yellowstone. Although the creator, Taylor Sheridan, has said The Madison is meant to be a separate story, some actors, like Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly, have suggested a possible connection down the line. While Sheridan hasn’t confirmed this, the idea of the two shows crossing over is exciting, and fans will be eager to see what happens next.

2026-03-24 22:31