It’s been a wild ride, but the end is finally in sight. The second half of Yellowstone Season 5 premieres on Sunday, November 10, 2024, and fans are gearing up for the epic conclusion. The first half of the season set the stage for plenty of drama, family feuds, and intense power struggles. But if you’ve forgotten what went down—or if you simply need a refresher before the final episodes air—don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll break down everything that happened in Yellowstone Season 5, Part 1, including major plot points, family conflicts, and behind-the-scenes drama involving the show’s star, Kevin Costner. Plus, we’ll speculate on what might happen next as the Dutton family faces its most difficult challenges yet.
Yellowstone Season 5, Part 1: A Quick Recap
John Dutton Becomes Governor of Montana
The first half of Yellowstone Season 5 saw John Dutton (Kevin Costner) reach the pinnacle of his political career—becoming the Governor of Montana. While John’s political rise was no surprise to fans (he had been slowly moving toward this position for several seasons), it brought significant changes to his role within the family and the state.
As governor, John made it clear that his primary goal was to protect the Dutton family ranch from the encroachment of outside forces, particularly Market Equities, the corporation trying to take over Montana’s land to build an airport and resort. This political maneuvering forged an unlikely alliance between John and Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), the leader of the local Native American reservation. The two men, who had previously been at odds, found common ground in their shared mission to protect Montana’s land from development.
However, John’s rise to power also stirred up personal drama. His former lover, Summer Higgins (Piper Perabo), a passionate environmental activist, found herself caught up in legal troubles. John managed to get her out of prison, allowing her to serve her sentence under house arrest. This decision caused a rift between John and his volatile daughter, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), who immediately clashed with Summer.
Family Matters: The Duttons at War
The Dutton family has always been at the heart of Yellowstone, and Season 5, Part 1, was no exception. The dynamics within the family were strained as John’s political ambitions took center stage, leaving his children to wrestle with their own personal and professional challenges.
- Beth and Rip: Beth and her husband, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), are still reeling from their past traumas. Although they married in Season 4, Beth’s unresolved issues continued to fester. One major revelation was the secret that Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), Beth’s estranged brother, had secretly sterilized her when they were teenagers. This explosive secret had the potential to blow up the family, especially if Rip were to find out the truth. Beth and Rip are also raising Carter (Finn Little), a teenage runaway who has become an important part of their lives.
- Kayce and Monica: Meanwhile, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and his wife, Monica (Kelsey Asbille), were dealing with their own personal tragedy. Monica suffered a devastating loss when she miscarried their baby after a car accident, adding another layer of grief and complexity to their already strained relationship. This heartache also served as a backdrop for Kayce’s own struggles, particularly his growing concerns about his role in the family and what his future might look like.
Jamie Dutton: The Villain of the Season
Jamie Dutton has always been a thorn in the side of the family, but in Season 5, Part 1, he truly embraced the role of antagonist. It was revealed that Jamie, who had previously been unaware of his adoption, was secretly working with Market Equities, the company trying to seize control of the Dutton ranch. He also formed a dangerous romantic connection with Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), a scheming lawyer who shared his goal of undermining the Duttons and taking over Montana’s land.
The most shocking moment of the first half of the season came when Beth and John decided that it was finally time to deal with Jamie once and for all. They agreed that Jamie needed to be taken to the infamous “Train Station” – Yellowstone’s euphemism for dealing with enemies the Dutton way: killing them. This sets the stage for some truly explosive drama in the final six episodes.
Behind the Scenes Drama: Kevin Costner’s Departure
The biggest behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Yellowstone has been the departure of Kevin Costner, the show’s lead star. In May 2023, it was announced that Costner would not return to Yellowstone after Season 5, and his absence has been a source of much speculation and tension.
Why Did Kevin Costner Leave Yellowstone?
According to Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone creator and showrunner, Costner’s departure stemmed from a scheduling conflict. Costner had already committed to his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, which is a series of four planned Western films that he’s directing, producing, and starring in. Sheridan claimed that Costner had expressed a desire to leave Yellowstone to focus on Horizon and that the two men had tried to work out a schedule that would accommodate both projects.
However, there were reports that Costner was frustrated with the show’s delays, particularly regarding the final scripts for Season 5. In interviews, Costner stated that he didn’t want to leave Yellowstone, but felt the show’s production was mishandled. He claimed that there were no finalized scripts for the final episodes of the season and that the filming schedule kept changing, making it difficult for him to commit to the project.
Sheridan, on the other hand, suggested that Costner’s focus had shifted toward Horizon, and that once lawyers got involved, it became more difficult to resolve their differences. While Sheridan maintained that Costner’s absence wouldn’t impact the storyline, it’s unclear exactly how the show will write out John Dutton.
Will John Dutton Die?
With Costner’s exit from Yellowstone, the big question on fans’ minds is whether or not John Dutton will be killed off in the show. In the first half of Season 5, John’s family was already preparing for the possibility, especially after he and Beth agreed that it was time to take Jamie to the Train Station. It’s possible that the show could end John’s arc with a dramatic death, which would allow the show to transition to a new chapter without the character.
That said, there’s also the possibility that John’s absence will be handled offscreen. It’s been suggested that John could be written out in a way that keeps his presence felt—perhaps by having his character step down as governor or even go into hiding. But one thing is for sure: the final stretch of episodes will answer these questions.
What’s Next in Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2?
As we head into the final six episodes of Season 5, the stakes are higher than ever. The tension between the Duttons and Market Equities is at an all-time high, and with John Dutton potentially out of the picture, the remaining family members will have to figure out how to protect their legacy and the ranch.
Beth and Jamie’s Showdown
The rivalry between Beth Dutton and Jamie Dutton is bound to reach its boiling point. With both of them gunning for control of the family, it’s only a matter of time before they face off in a dramatic confrontation. Will Beth finally get her revenge on Jamie? Will Kayce be forced to pick a side between his wife and his family? These questions will likely take center stage in the final episodes.
The Fate of the Ranch
The central question of the show—who will control the Dutton ranch—remains unresolved. Market Equities is still pressing forward with its plans to take over Montana, and the Duttons must rally together to protect their land. As always, the question is: How far will the Duttons go to hold on to what’s theirs?
The End of the Dutton Dynasty?
It’s unclear if Yellowstone will end with a definitive conclusion or if there will be room for more spinoffs. One thing is certain: the Duttons’ saga is far from over, even if this chapter is coming to an end. With multiple spinoff series already in the works, including the prequels 1883 and 1923, and a new show called The Madison, the Yellowstone universe is only expanding.
Conclusion: The Final Ride
As the Duttons prepare for the final showdown, fans can expect intense drama, shocking revelations, and plenty of emotional moments. With John Dutton’s fate uncertain and the family at war with itself, the second half of Season 5 is set to deliver an unforgettable conclusion to one of television’s most gripping dramas.
While Kevin Costner’s absence will be felt, the rest of the cast is more than capable of picking up the slack. Whether John Dutton dies or disappears from the story, the legacy of the Dutton family will continue to live on, whether through the remaining characters or in the various spinoffs that are already in the works.
