The Epic Return of ‘Yellowstone’ Delivers All the Emotion and Drama Fans Have Been Craving

Within minutes of the premiere episode airing, Yellowstone characters and fans alike were left in an emotional shock we may struggle to recover from. Just like Beth (Kelly Reilly), we all knew what happened before any word was spoken. John Dutton dies in what appears to be a suicide that nobody buys. After all, John Dutton is the image of strength and resilience. With no history of mental health struggles nor substance abuse, this tragic situation does more to remind the audience who John Dutton truly is and who he is not—perhaps the first statement on his legacy.

Since the beginning of Yellowstone, John Dutton has brought masculinity back into the spotlight and rightfully earned the respect of his cowboys; so as we cope with losing him, the hierarchy of power in the family, business, and Montana’s political structures are thrown out the window and open up space for a new order to be established.

The emotions were at an all-time high, with many voicing their thoughts loudly on X. Some were upset at Kevin Costner for leaving the show, and others focused their frustration on Taylor Sheridan, the creator of our beloved Yellowstone series. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, there is no doubt that there are no mild feelings about where this story may be going.

Reality Meets Fiction - The 6666 Ranch

The 6666 is a well-known ranch in Northern Texas, and its history, going back to 1870, mirrors the history of the Yellowstone Ranch itself. Founded by the Burnett family and currently owned by Taylor Sheridan himself, who has openly spoken about the fact that the reason he made so many Yellowstone prequels was to be able to fund the purchase of the 6666 ranch. Taylor Sheridan has spoken before about his childhood growing up near the 6666, and how this ranch has been the inspiration for Yellowstone all along. It seems to be quite a full-circle moment.

It appears that this legendary real-life ranch will take center stage in Yellowstone’s finale, and while many complain that the premiere episode at some points starts to look like a very expensive ad for the 6666 ranch, I think the role of the ranch in the series says something quite special about Sheridan and his personal relationship with Yellowstone and the 6666. Think about this: The show originates in Sheridan’s imagination, inspired by the 6666, and concludes with Sheridan purchasing the ranch where it all started for him.

Let the War Begin

While not many details about John Dutton’s death have been shared yet, one thing everyone on-screen and off-screen agrees on is that John Dutton certainly did not commit suicide. The last one to truly grasp this is Kayce, who seems to struggle to wrap his head around why Jamie would kill their dad, as Beth confidently asserts. Personally, I found this moment extremely sad, given that as tough as Kayce is, he has all along been somewhat innocent to the gore and drama of his own family. Now he is up to speed and must respond. In the last scene, it was made clear that Tate, Kayce’s son, is to inherit the Yellowstone ranch, which indicates that Kayce is expected to get more involved in the running of the ranch.

So, what could this mean for this season? Are he and Monica moving to the big house and discarding their dreams for a place of their own? How is this going to impact Tate? And how is Monica facing this? She has been the voice of wisdom, reason, and comfort for Kayce, but his father’s murder may require something a little bit stronger.

The Bond Between Kayce and Beth

Let’s not forget that Beth and Kayce were the ones dealing with their mother’s passing together. On that fateful horseback ride when they were kids, their mom fell off her horse and suffered injuries that led to her death. Kayce stayed with his mom and fenced off some wolves, while Beth rode her horse back to the house to ask for help. Both were traumatized by this awful event, and their trauma bond has been clear throughout every season. While every possible fight has occurred, Beth and Kayce have never been at odds, or at least for too long. And how could anyone forget that time Beth came to the rescue of Monica, Kayce’s wife? Iconic.

According to how the premiere episode set the stage, it seems like Beth and Kayce are the ones to face the death of a parent together once more. This time, not as children, and this time ready to protect the legacy of their father. Nonetheless, Jamie’s remorse is also quite evident, so could there be a prodigal son moment? Is there room for redemption, or has he truly gone too far? While I doubt that Beth would welcome Jamie in a prodigal son style, I do have faith in Jamie’s own healing journey and personal desire to make something good from this tragedy. This would mean that Jamie may be the one to take out the actual bad guys. Would he, though?

They say that history is written by the victors, and there are no clear victors of this story yet, but soon we will know if the Duttons will continue to rule over the largest ranch in Montana or if developers will take over. While we are all still rooting for the Duttons’ reign, it's clear that John Dutton cannot be replaced. Instead, we may be about to see a full-blown matriarch being born, with Beth taking the reins of the ranch and Kayce and Rip by her side.

Or perhaps it could be Kayce that takes the lead? After all those years of running away from the ranch, could his father’s death be the catalyst for Kayce’s embrace of his own family legacy and the acknowledgment of what his son Tate will inherit?

And let’s not forget Jamie, who, while often hated, is still a Dutton. As he struggles with the consequences of his own actions by the end of the premiere episode, there is a chance he may still find a way to redeem himself. If happy endings are indeed a real possibility, I have no doubt that the Duttons will persist, and the family’s legacy will carry on.