Spoiler Alert for Yellowstone season 5, episode 9, “Desire Is All You Need”
This article discusses suicide.
Yellowstoneseason 5, episode 9’s revelation about John Dutton III fixes a five-year Dutton issue. “All You Need Is Desire” finally answershowYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, explains Kevin Costner’s absence. There is a crime scene at the Governor’s Mansion, and Beth (Kelly Reilly) is the first to arrive. While her questions go unanswered, there is immediately a graveness to the moment. When she locks eyes with her father’s assistant, a shake of her head suggests that things have taken a fatal turn for her father and Montana’s governor.
Beth enters the scene when Kayce (Luke Grimes) arrives moments later, flashing his badge to get them behind the barricade tape. They navigate their way to the crime scene, where their father, the de facto patriarch of the Dutton family, has allegedly shot himself. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton twist shocks even Jamie (Wes Bentley), who announces his father’s death moments later as Montana’s Attorney General. While it’s a tragic fate, itfully explains John Dutton’s fate inYellowstoneand paves the way for a vital relationship to evolve. The alliance will be indispensable to season 5’s conclusion.
John Dutton’s Death Finally Shows Beth & Kayce As Proper Siblings
Beth And Kayce’s Relationship Is Vital To Season 5
Beth and Kayce haven’t been particularly close throughoutYellowstone’s five seasons, but they lean onto each other after their father’s death, finally acting like proper siblings. They embrace during the tense moment, leaning on one another as they learn of their father’s passing. It’s a heartfelt moment for the siblings and sets the tone for their relationship in season 5. The siblings' relationship was formerly strained by how to protect the ranch best, with Beth’s belief that Kayce was bad for Yellowstone. However, theYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 premiere clarifies that Beth will work with Kayce.
Why Yellowstone Had No Choice But To Do That Kevin Costner’s John Dutton Twist
Yellowstone’s return doesn’t waste any time explaining John Dutton III’s fate. Sad as it may be, the show didn’t have a choice about the matter.
Aside from a few conflicts stemming from their opinions on how to protect the ranch,Beth and Kayce have shared little time together throughoutYellowstone.Kayce has moved to and from the ranch in fluctuation with the needs of Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and Tate (Brecken Merrill), leaving fewer opportunities for the siblings to overlap. Moreover, Kayce and Beth don’t interact much when they share a room. That will change in the rest of Yellowstone season 5. The next obstacle for the siblings will be dealing with Jamie, who is likely involved in John’s death.
How John’s Death Strengthens Beth & Kayce Against Jamie
Beth And Kayce Can Finally Take Down Jamie
John’s death was advantageous to the series because it bonded Beth and Kayce, who otherwise may have maintained their distance in season 5, part 2, preferring their relationship with their father. John’s death meansBeth and Kayce must work together to protect the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Moreover, John’s death forces Kayce to pick whether he isTeam Beth or Team Jamie inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, and after the death of John Dutton III, it looks like Kayce will side with Beth. The war could very well include killing their adopted brother, who Beth is blaming
After John’s death in “Desire Is All You Need,” Beth encourages her younger brother to look Jamie in the eyes so that he can know the truth about his involvement in the crime. TheYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 trailer confirms an all-out Dutton warfollowing John Dutton’s fate, and John’s death solidifies the coalition between Kayce and Beth. It makes sense for the series to strengthen the siblings' relationship in season 5 since they are the only surviving Dutton children and share the goal of protecting their family’s legacy, especially in their father’s absence.
What Kayce & Beth’s Revived Relationship Means For Yellowstone’s Future
Kayce And Beth’s Story Can Continue
Strengthening the relationship between Kayce and Beth inYellowstoneseason 5 is advantageous for the possibility of aYellowstonesequel seriesor the show’s continuation with season 6. Options for continuing the series after Costner’s exit have been a hot topic surrounding season 5, part 2’s release.Beth and Kayce need a solid relationship to lead a series withoutYellowstone’s core protagonist, whether the series continues with season 6 or with a sequel starring the remaining leading cast members, focusing on Beth, Kayce, Rip (Cole Hauser), and family. Either option would pick up whereYellowstoneseason 5 leaves off.
Yellowstoneproves it can pull its weight without Costner. The season 5B premiere, with Beth and Kayce at its center, garnered over 16 million viewers.
Despite a report thatYellowstoneseason 6 with Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser was reportedly happening, as of writing, neither Paramount nor the Neo-Western series' creator, Taylor Sheridan, has confirmed what direction the franchise will head. It could be that the showrunners are waiting to see howYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, is received without Kevin Costner’s John Dutton before it moves forward with a continuation of the series, regardless of what that looks like.Yellowstoneproves it can pull its weight without Costner. The season 5B premiere, with Beth and Kayce at its center, garnered over 16 million viewers.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on June 27, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
