Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Yellowstone season 5, episode 14, “Life Is a Promise.”
After Beth learns her father died inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2, it is only a matter of time before she seeks vengeance, and she certainly does during the finale. Kelly Reilly’s Beth has been a significant presence in the Paramount Network neo-Western drama since its beginning. Whether fans love or hate her, Beth is one ofYellowstone’s most important characters. So,it makes sense why Beth has such a big role in the finale and why she is the one to avenge John Duttonby the timeYellowstonecomes to an end.
Prior to the Paramount Network’s airing ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14,Deadlineconfirmed that Taylor Sheridan is developing a spinoff focusing on Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler following the events of the finale.
Beth had a very close relationship with her father inYellowstone.After discovering he had been killed, Beth’s emotions get the best of her (to no one’s surprise), and it’s honestly baffling that she holds off on getting revenge for as long as she does. However, attendingJohn’s funeral during theYellowstoneseason 5 finaleis just the push Beth needs. After saying goodbye to him, Beth seeks justice for her father’s murder, and nothing is going to stop her from getting it by the end ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14, “Life Is a Promise.”
Beth’s Promise To “Avenge” John Dutton Set Up Her Killing Jamie
Kelly Reilly’s Character Murders Jamie During The Yellowstone Finale
Beth struggles to get through John’s funeralinYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14without breaking down. She even tells Carter that she doesn’t want to be there. Nevertheless, Beth pushes through, and when it’s time to say goodbye to her father, she makes him a promise. Beth whispers to John’s coffin, “I will avenge you,” referring to her brother, Jamie.She knows that Jamie was involved in their father’s assassination,and to avenge John, she believes she must kill Jamie. Beth leaves the funeral and attacks Jamie at his house. After he almost chokes her to death, Rip arrives and holds Jamie back while Beth stabs him.
YellowstoneSeason 5, Part 2 Episode #
9
10
“The Apocalypse of Change”
11
12
13
“Give the World Away”
14
“Life Is a Promise”
Taylor Sheridan
August 03, 2025
Beth and Jamie’s sibling rivalry inYellowstonehas been going on since they were young. He had her sterilized without her consent, and she has hated him ever since. So, John’s death gives Beth an excuse to finally get rid of Jamie. Before John’s murder, Jamie filed articles of impeachment against him and was sleeping with a woman (Sarah Atwood) who wanted to ruin the Duttons. Shortly after learning her father died, Beth confronts Jamie, knowing he played a part in John’s death. Later,Beth finally decides to act on her need to avenge John, which is why she kills Jamie.
Was Beth Killing Jamie Really Avenging John’s Death?
Sarah’s The One Who Hired John’s Assassins
Beth wholeheartedly believes that killing Jamie will bring John the justice he deserves inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2. However, perhaps her hatred is a bit misguided. While Jamie told Sarah he wanted his father dead atthe end ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 8, he stupidly didn’t think she would actually arrange John’s execution. So, when assassins stage John’s suicide during the season 5, part 2 premiere, Jamie is shell-shocked.Sarah hired the killers without telling Jamie,but it’s not like he is 100 percent innocent.
10 Biggest Unanswered Questions After Yellowstone’s Ending
The Yellowstone finale answered many questions and closed various storylines, but the episode could not solve every mystery about season 5.
Jamie expressed a desire to see his father dead,giving Sarah the greenlight to orderJohn’s assassination in theYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 premiere. Then, he finds out about Sarah’s actions and does nothing with this knowledge. So, even though Jamie didn’t pull the trigger, he is just as guilty as Sarah is in Beth’s mind, which is why she feels justified in killing her brother. If Sarah was still alive inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 14, Beth certainly would have taken her to the train station, too.
Did Yellowstone’s Ending Honor John Dutton’s Legacy?
Kayce Sells The Ranch To Chief Rainwater
PerhapsBeth killing Jamie duringYellowstoneseason 5’s endingdoesn’t completely honor John’s legacy,but Kayce’s actions in the finale do. One of season 5, part 2’s dominant themes is the Duttons' struggle to keep the ranch. After John’s death, they can’t afford the taxes, meaning the government and greedy corporations will likely take over the land and turn it into a tourist destination. However,Kayce devises a plan to save the ranch at the end ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 13. To protect the land, the Duttons must sell it.
6 Spinoffs The Yellowstone Finale Set Up
The Yellowstone season 5 finale features all the characters heading in different directions, setting up various spinoffs for the future.
They can’t afford to maintain ownership, but they can hand the Yellowstone over to someone who will take good care of it — Chief Thomas Rainwater. Kayce offers to sell the ranch to Chief Rainwater and the Broken Rock Reservation for $1.25/acre. This price lowers the land’s taxes, allowing the tribe to take over without worrying about money. Chief Rainwater agrees, of course, andYellowstone’s ending finally fulfills1883’s prophecy. The rights to the Yellowstone return to its original owners, while the Duttons remain buried on the property, andJohn’s living children honor his legacy by starting ranches of their own.
What’s Next For Beth After Killing Jamie?
Beth Buys A New Ranch In Dillon, Montana
After Beth kills Jamie and seemingly gets away with it, she can finally move on with her life, leaving all her burdens back in Paradise Valley during the neo-Western drama’s finale.Beth and Rip buy a new ranch two hours away from the Yellowstonein Dillon, Montana.They want to live a nice, quiet life away from tourists.So, their home after leaving the Yellowstone is perfect for them.
Their story will continue in the upcomingYellowstonespinoff featuring Beth and Rip (it’s unknown if Carter will appear), meaning Beth murdering her brother might be an important part of her arc in her next show.
Beth and Rip bring Carter along with them to Dillon, andthe ending ofYellowstonepreviews the family’s new life together. Rip and Carter work on the ranch, while Beth finds the perfect bar in town. Their story will continue in the upcomingYellowstonespinoff featuring Beth and Rip (it’s unknown if Carter will appear), meaning Beth murdering her brother might be an important part of her arc in her next show.
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 28, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
