Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Territory!

Territoryseason 1 was a massive success for Netflix, but the show’s Lawson family story already has a big challenge moving forward intoTerritoryseason 2. While a second season ofTerritoryhasn’t yet been confirmed, the success of the series and the end ofTerritoryseason 1 suggests that one could happen, leaving the world of Marianne Station open for even more exploration. However,Territoryseason 1’s ending has made it impossible for season 2 to repeat its most important aspect,creating a major problem for Netflix’s new Western series.

Netflix’sTerritoryis aYellowstone-inspiredAustralian Western drama, with season 1 of the series dropping on Netflix in October 2024.Territoryhas proven itself to be a critical and a commercial hit, garnering a large fanbase in only a short time. The series follows the Lawson dynasty as they fight over control of the world’s largest cattle station afterthe death of Daniel Lawson, the company’s former leader. The battle threatens to tear the Lawson family apart, with it involving massive companies, gangs, and a murder plot. However, one of these aspects can’t return inTerritoryseason 2.

Michael Dorman frowning as Graham Lawson in Territory

Daniel Lawson’s Murder Mystery Was The Driving Force Behind Territory Season 1’s Story

Most Of The Events Tie Back To Him

A lot happened inTerritoryseason 1, but the biggest hook of the Netflix show was the murder of Daniel Lawson. At the beginning ofTerritoryepisode 1, viewers seeDaniel fall off his horseand get eaten by wild dogs. However, evidence presents itself that leads to Colin not believing that Daniel’s death was an accident, with most of the show then focusing on who at Marianne Station killed Daniel. This murder mystery is the throughline that carries much of season 1’s narrative, with the reveal of Daniel Lawson’s true murderer not happening for the other characters untilTerritory’s final scene.

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The murder mystery aspect ofTerritoryis what made it unique, setting it apart from contemporary shows likeYellowstone. Almost everything that happens throughoutTerritorycan be linked back to the murder of Daniel Lawson, including Marshall running away from Marianne Station, the fight between Graham and Hank, and the destruction of the “Sorry Place.“Territorysimply would not work without this murder mystery storyline, with the reveal that Emily did it being a major player in the show’s thematic storytelling.

John Dutton from Yellowstone and Colin Lawson from Territory

Territory Season 2 Can’t Repeat This Murder Mystery Story (Unless It Kills Off Another Main Character)

Now That Every Territory Character Has Been Developed

While the murder mystery was essential toTerritoryseason 1,Territoryseason 2 can’t repeat this story unless it kills off another main character. The death of Daniel Lawson was significant in the world ofTerritorydue to his influence over Marianne Station. However, since it happened so early in the show, audience members didn’t care about him at the time of his death. This made Daniel’s death more of a plot device than a significant dramatic moment, a balance that was essential to telling this story inTerritoryseason 1.

Territoryseason 2, however, doesn’t have this option. If the show was going to kill someone else off that has the same impact as Daniel, it would have to be a member of theTerritorycast who was a major player in season 1. Killing off another one ofTerritory’s main characters at the beginning of season 2 would feel cheap to many,with fans of whoever dies undoubtedly getting upset. Nobody in the world ofTerritorydeserves to be murdered, and nobody in the world ofTerritoryis being set up as a murderer, making this balance hard to find again.

Territory (2024) - Poster

Which Territory Character Could Be Killed For Season 2’s Murder Mystery?

There Are Only Two Options

IfTerritoryseason 2wants to kill off a character in the same way that Daniel was killed off, there are only two real candidates. The first one is Marshall Lawson. At the end ofTerritoryseason 1, Colin picks Marshall to be the new head of Marianne Station. Thus, the only way to begin the battle of who will be the successor is to kill him off. However, Marshall was a fan-favorite character who is just now getting a shot at Marianne Station, meaning most fans wouldn’t be happy if he died.

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The other option is Emily Lawson. Since Emily was behind Daniel’s death, fans wouldn’t be as upset if she died, with it seeming like a bit of righteous judgment. However, her role at Marianne Station is significantly smaller than Daniel’s, meaning that herTerritorydeath wouldn’t have the same impact.

Territory

Cast

Set against the backdrop of the world’s largest cattle station, this drama follows the intense generational conflict that ensues when a clear heir is absent. As rival factions compete for control, the series examines themes of legacy, power, and the struggle for dominance over the land’s future.