This article contains discussions about suicide.
In the premiere of Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2, viewers were immediately confronted with a shocking revelation: the patriarch of the series, John Dutton, portrayed by Kevin Costner, was reportedly deceased due to an alleged suicide in the governor’s mansion. Given Costner’s absence from the series finale, fans were left speculating how Taylor Sheridan would address John’s character exit. The premiere set the stage early, indicating that John Dutton’s demise was central to the unfolding narrative.
The decision to kill off John Dutton has sparked controversy among fans, particularly following Kevin Costner’s contentious departure from the series. However, it appears that Sheridan’s narrative plan required John’s character to meet this tragic end to fulfill his creative vision for the neo-Western saga. Thus, while the manner of John’s death was undoubtedly shocking, it aligns with the essential trajectory Sheridan envisioned from the beginning.
The Inevitable Demise of John Dutton in Yellowstone’s Conclusion
The Significance of John Dutton’s Death for the Series’ Conclusion
Numerous creators involved with Yellowstone have suggested that John Dutton’s death was always an essential part of the story arc and merely a question of timing. Notably, Taylor Sheridan has a pattern of including the deaths of key characters in concluding episodes of his other works related to the franchise, such as Elsa Dutton in the conclusion of 1883 and Alex Dutton in 1923. This creates a strong possibility that John was meant to exit in the series finale of Yellowstone.
Executive producer Christina Voros reaffirmed the inevitability of John Dutton’s departure in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She mentioned that the storyline necessitated John’s passing for Kayce (Luke Grimes) to fulfill his arc. Voros stated, “Inevitably, at some point, he was going to die,”emphasizing his death’s integral role in the saga of Yellowstone.
If John’s death was indeed always in the cards—potentially meant for the finale—it provides clarity regarding the season’s construction. The events surrounding John’s demise create an emotional atmosphere that builds throughout the season, allowing for an uninterrupted narrative momentum towards the impact of his loss. The final episodes employed a variety of flashbacks that could indicate Sheridan’s original vision before adjusting to accommodate Costner’s exit.
What If John Dutton Had Survived?
Exploring Alternative Storylines If John Dutton Had Lived
Although John’s death is clearly pivotal to the narrative of Yellowstone, it’s intriguing to ponder the alternate outcomes had John Dutton survived. If he had evaded an attack on his life, he would likely have persisted in protecting the ranch, irrespective of political challenges posed by his adopted son, Jamie (Wes Bentley), as the state’s attorney general. Perhaps John could have finally embraced Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) suggestions for profitable ranch management, thereby securing their family’s legacy.
Furthermore, had John continued holding onto the land, the series could have wrapped up in a manner consistent with the themes of prophecy presented in 1883. In a pivotal exchange, John’s ancestor, James Dutton (Tim McGraw), learns that while settlers might claim the Paradise Valley, the land would ultimately return to the Crow people after generations. John’s eventual passing would have facilitated Kayce’s inheritance and the eventual stewardship of the land by his son, Tate (Brecken Merrill), resonating deeply with historical legacies.