Spoiler Alert for Yellowstone season 5, episode 14, “Life Is A Promise.“If Taylor Sheridan undid the youngest sixth-generation Dutton’sYellowstoneending, it wouldn’t serve Kayce’s story or the epic saga. In theYellowstoneseason 5 finale, Kayce enacted his plan to sell the Dutton family’s land to the Broken Rock Tribe. As Kayce finalized the land deal with Thomas Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty, Kayce proclaimed he was free.Kayce’s freedom inYellowstonewas an exoneration for the character, who finally escaped the dangerous legacy the Dutton family had died protecting. While theYellowstonescreenwriter could undo Kayce’s ending to continueYellowstone,I sincerely hope he doesn’t.
During the outing, theYellowstoneseason 5 finale had a great ending for many characters, including Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, who moved onto a ranch in Dillon, Montana. The couple’s story will continue inBeth and Rip’sYellowstonespinoff, but this sequel may complicate Kayce’s happy ending. If Kayce’s story continues, whether inYellowstoneseason 6or another offshoot of the flagship series,it could be tempting to muddle Kayce’s freedom, roping him back into the drama of his family’s landand the fight that comes with maintaining it.
Yellowstone Season 5 Wasn’t Perfect, But I Thought Kayce’s Ending Was Great
Kayce Dutton Earned His Freedom
While many found fault with the conclusion ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14,Kayce’s ending was a great story that tied Sheridan’sYellowstoneseries to its prequels.A long list of deaths amassed protecting the Dutton Ranch marks the family tree with tragedy, but Kayce broke the curse by selling the land to Thomas Rainwater and the Broken Rock Tribe. The decision freed Kayce from defending his family’s legacy and followed through with his ancestor James Dutton’s promise that the Dutton family would return the land to Montana’s Indigenous people in seven generations.
Sheridan prophesied Yellowstone’s ending in 1883.
It looked likeYellowstoneforeshadowed Kayce’s death as he talked to Tate in the family graveyard. However, Kayce’s stepping away from the ranch freed him from the cycle of death that plagued the Dutton family. Kayce’s family had perished guarding their land for generations, includingLee Dutton’s death in theYellowstonepremiere.With a background of studying American Indian representations in the media, I found Kayce’s decision to restore the land to its Indigenous stewards refreshing because it’s an ending that Hollywood rarely gives us. While yes, we saw it coming, that was the point. Sheridan prophesiedYellowstone’s ending in1883.
Why I Have Slight Concerns Yellowstone Could Undo Kayce’s Ending
Yellowstone Stories Need Conflict
However, there are a few ways Kayce’s story could continue afterYellowstoneseason 5’s ending, at least within the current landscape.If Beth and Rip’s spinoff is forced to becomeYellowstoneseason 6 because of potential legal battles, then Kayce could rejoin his sisterin continuing the flagship story. Alternatively, Kayce’s story could continue alongside Thomas Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty, either in aYellowstoneseason 6 that doesn’t involve Beth and Rip or in anoffshoot ofYellowstonefocused on the Broken Rock Tribe. Regardless of how his story continues, Kayce’s reemerging inYellowstonecould limit his newfound freedom.
Yellowstonecould undo Kayce’s ending by having someone disrupt Kayce and the Broken Rock Tribe’s land deal, roping Kayce and Beth back into their family’s fight for the ranch.
One way to continue Kayce’s story alongside Beth and Rip requires the siblings to get thrust back into the Dutton family conflict. Likewise, if his story continues alongside the Broken Rock Tribe, Kayce could be put back in the line of fire over the land. Regardless,Kayce’s continuing story means he will likely be entangled in danger again, and I’m concerned that would undo his ending. At least if Kayce puts himself in danger for the sake of the people who now own the land, he will be fighting for something he fully believes in.
Beth & Rip’s Spinoff Could Include Kayce Without Hurting His Ending
Kayce Could Have A Minor Role In The Yellowstone Spinoff
One way to preserve Kayce’s ending is to feature him in Beth and Rip’sYellowstonespinoff, with the characters focused on motivations outside their family’s old battles. This setup would enable Kayce to be featured in Beth and Rip’s story and even embroiled in a new conflict without relinquishing his freedom. Kayce’s freedom doesn’t mean that he’s free from harm. It means he’s free from risking his life for his family’s land.For Kayce’s story to continue satisfyingly, any fight he engages in must speak to his newfound sense of peaceand steer clear of rehashing fleshed-out range wars.
Beth & Rip’s Spinoff Needs To Avoid Being Yellowstone Season 6, And Just Not Because Of Potential Legal Problems
Yellowstone’s latest spinoff with Beth and Rip must avoid being season 6 of Taylor Sheridan’s flagship, not because of the anticipated legal battle.
The best-case scenario could be for Kayce to feature in Beth and Rip’s spinoff rather than any other continuation since a limited role would allow Kayce Dutton’s story to continue without changing his status quo. Therefore, one possible storyline is that Kayce isn’t a frequent player in Beth and Rip’s story since Dillon, Montana, where Beth and Rip bought their ranch, is far from East Camp. Kayce’s season 5 ending was a cathartic closing for many fans, so Taylor Sheridan, please don’t undo theYellowstonefinale. The worst-case scenario would be Kayce finding himself entangled in his family’s played-out drama.
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 July 09, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
