Yellowstone’s Dark Endgame: Who Lived, Who Died?

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  • John Dutton
  • Beth Dutton
  • Rip Wheeler
  • Jamie Dutton
  • Kayce Dutton
  • Chief Thomas Rainwater
  • The Yellowstone Cowboys

In December 2024, after a five-season run, Yellowstone, the cornerstone series in the Yellowstone Universe, came to an end. The saga of the Dutton family unfolded, introducing viewers to the patriarch, John Dutton (Kevin Costner), his children, Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and Jamie (Wes Bentley), as well as a multitude of characters connected to the Yellowstone ranch.

As a passionate film buff reflecting on Yellowstone’s final episodes, it was evident that not all of the primary characters survived the series. Some galloped away towards fresh horizons, leaving behind tales of courage and intrigue. The show cleverly acknowledged predecessors like 1883, hinting at possible continuations in the process.

Here’s a look at the fates of Yellowstone’s main characters.

Character Actor
John Dutton Kevin Costner
Beth Dutton Kelly Reilly
Rip Wheeler Cole Hauser
Jamie Dutton Wes Bentley
Kayce Dutton Luke Grimes
Chief Thomas Rainwater Gil Birmingham
Lloyd Pierce Forrie J. Smith
Colby Mayfield Denim Richards
Teeter Jennifer Landon
Walker Ryan Bingham
Ryan Ian Bonhen

John Dutton

In the final season of Yellowstone, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, held the position of Montana’s governor before he was murdered. The murderers, orchestrated by Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), staged the crime to make it seem like John had committed suicide. Following this, Atwood – a shrewd businesswoman who developed an alliance with Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) – met her end as well.

Beth Dutton

By the finale of Yellowstone, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) fulfilled many of her promises. Her unwavering commitment to preserving the Yellowstone Ranch led her to sell it; however, as she spoke at her father’s casket, she asserted, “There may not be cattle on it, but there won’t be high-rise buildings either. We have prevailed.

In pursuit of avenging her father’s murder, Beth confronted Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), the brother she held in contempt due to numerous transgressions. She ended up assaulting him, leading to his demise by a fatal stab wound. By the end of the season finale, Beth and her spouse, Rip (Cole Hauser), had settled on a fresh ranch, maintaining their commitment to the land and the traditional lifestyle of ranching.

Rip Wheeler

Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) dutifully says goodbye to John Dutton’s casket, telling him:

Appreciate it. Just wanted to let you know, I’ll be looking after your daughter. You have my promise. I’ll strive to care for her as deeply as she was cared for by you. See you later.

In his last moments at Yellowstone Ranch, Rip, alongside Beth and young Carter, was seen treading on its soil for one final time and wrapping up the operations, as they prepared to pass it onto new owners. This act underscored Rip’s deep affection for the land and the Dutton family.

Before embarking on their journey towards a new piece of land near Bozeman, Montana, Rip performed a grim task—assisting Beth in ending Jamie’s life, and then transported his body to the “Train Station” with the intention of ensuring he would never be found again.

Jamie Dutton

In the story, it’s revealed that Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), who serves as Montana’s Attorney General, is determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder, having been involved in the events leading up to it. In a tense confrontation with Beth, Jamie and Beth engage in a final, fierce altercation. With Jamie holding Beth by the throat, Rip unexpectedly appears on the scene. As Rip manages to pry Jamie off Beth, she seizes the opportunity to grab a knife and fatally stab Jamie.

Jamie meets his conclusion, but it occurs at the “Train Station,” following Rip sending his body there. Jamie is gone permanently from this point on.

Kayce Dutton

In the culmination of the series, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), who has consistently sought freedom from the Yellowstone Ranch, joins Beth Dutton to bid farewell to their old residence. A deal was struck by Kayce, leading to the sale of the ranch. He orchestrated the purchase by Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gill Birmingham) and Broken Rock Reservation for $1.25 per acre – the same price the Dutton family had paid many years ago.

In the agreement, Kayce retains his modest farmstead, along with his wife, Monica (played by Kelsey Asbille), and their son, Tate (Breken Merrill). Together, they embark on a fresh chapter, pursuing what he loves in a way that suits him.

Chief Thomas Rainwater

Following decades of back-and-forth interactions with the Dutton family, Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) ultimately assumes leadership over the Yellowstone Ranch. Despite their disagreements, Rainwater and the Duttons shared a common objective: to preserve and respect the land.

In their negotiations, John Dutton plans to ensure the rainwater stays away from corporate control, conveying this to Kayce by saying:

On one occasion, I vowed to your father that someday, this very territory would be mine, and I’d restore it to its pristine condition, erasing any trace of my presence. He likely perceived it as a warning. In retrospect, that was indeed my intention at the time. However, your ancestors and mine are entombed within that soil. It is hallowed ground, and we shall honor it accordingly.

As a devoted admirer, I’d express it this way: “Nature, in its resilience, returns the property to its rightful owners – my beloved Duttons – and safeguards their heritage. This is achieved by shielding our sacred family graves from any potential desecration.

The Yellowstone Cowboys

As Yellowstone Ranch came to an end, Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith), Teeter (Jennifer Landon), Walker (Ryan Bingham), and the other cowboys bid farewell to their shared life. The death of Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards) earlier in the season had left them all reeling, particularly Teeter, who took a job with Travis Wheatley (Taylor Sheridan) in Texas. Walker chose to pursue his girlfriend, while Ryan also decided to search for the woman he had been longing for.

Lloyd Pierce, with an unwavering devotion to John Dutton and Yellowstone, chose to step down, leaving the next phase of his life yet to be written.

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2025-03-02 22:05