Beth Dutton's Rightful Claim to Inherit the Yellowstone

The Big Picture

Beth Dutton is the best choice to inherit the ranch due to her intelligence, business acumen, and proven ability to save the ranch from bankruptcy.

With her financial acumen and Rip's ranching mastery, they form a formidable duo to uphold John Dutton's heritage. While Jamie has distanced himself from the family and Kayce grapples with reconciling his familial obligations with ranch affairs, it is Beth who truly embodies the rightful recipient of the Yellowstone inheritance.

Kevin Costner may be leaving Yellowstone, and the flagship series might be ending, but fans of Taylor Sheridan's neo-Western can anticipate a sequel series featuring Matthew McConaughey. Viewers have witnessed the Dutton family's relentless efforts to protect their ranch from various threats, including rival ranchers, politicians, and land developers. The Duttons have resorted to questionable actions and endured considerable hardships to preserve their property. Over the course of five years, they have faced countless trials, internal conflicts, and potential civil wars. The strained relationships between the Dutton children and their father have added an additional layer to the series, intertwining personal dynamics with the family's ruthless business dealings.

Since the death of the eldest Dutton son, Lee, the question of who will become the next leader of Yellowstone has lingered in the minds of fans. Managing the volatile estate is no easy task, and despite numerous close calls, John, the reigning patriarch, shows no signs of relinquishing control. As the series progresses, the issue reaches a boiling point, with John acknowledging that his time on the ranch is nearing its end. Therefore, the question remains: who is deserving of inheriting the Dutton empire, and what justifies their claim?

Beth Dutton Is the Most Deserving on 'Yellowstone'

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When considering everything that has occurred thus far, it becomes evident that Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) should rightfully take charge of the ranch, provided it remains within the family by the end of the series. Although Beth may not be someone you would desire to encounter, her undeniable skills and experience make her the optimal choice for protecting Yellowstone after John's passing. In fact, she has already shouldered most of the responsibilities thus far, and the prequels teach us that the Dutton women are the true power behind the ranch. So, why should Beth bear the burden of inheritance?

From her initial appearance, where she intimidates the CEO of an oil drilling company into merging with her business by threatening to obliterate his company and leave him destitute, it becomes clear that Beth possesses a formidable level of intellect and business prowess that she wields like a weapon to achieve her desires. She has mastered the realm of business and finance, and although some may oppose the idea of the ranch being entrusted to one of television's cruelest characters, she is undeniably the most qualified individual for the role.

While her father understands business, John is still a cowboy at heart. He has consistently prioritized his ego and love for the land over the family or the ranch's best interests. Beth possesses a keen financial understanding that has saved the ranch from bankruptcy on multiple occasions. Previously, the fate of the ranch relied on traditional values, with down-to-earth ranchers focusing on land conservation. However, the rapid modernization of the world has presented new challenges that demand a different skill set. The future of the ranch will no longer revolve around purchasing hay and selling cattle; it will be determined by the Duttons' adeptness in managing their finances, taxes, and business affairs, all of which only Beth is truly equipped to handle.

Rip Would Be a Huge Help Running the Yellowstone Ranch

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Beth's bond with Rip (Cole Hauser) further solidifies her as the ideal candidate to carry on her father's legacy. Together, with Beth's financial acumen and Rip's expertise in cowboy management, they would seamlessly oversee the ranch's operations. Upon being taken in by John as a teenager after being orphaned, Rip embarked on an intermittent romance with Beth. Having spent the majority of his life on the ranch, learning from John and other skilled cowboys, Rip possesses unparalleled experience in the physical aspects of ranch governance, surpassing that of any of the Dutton offspring.

While their relationship with Beth may have had its ups and downs, they have recently found a stable ground and decided to tie the knot. Though Beth and Rip are unable to have biological children, they are continuing the tradition started by her father. They have welcomed an orphaned teenager into their lives, providing a home and teaching him the ways of ranching. Although the future generation of ranchers may not be blood-related Duttons, they will still be able to share in the longstanding experience and values that have been passed down through the years.

Jamie and Kayce Can't Handle the Yellowstone Ranch

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Another reason why Beth is deserving of the ranch? It lies in her brothers' connections to the family business. It is evident that Jamie (Wes Bentley) is unlikely to take the reins, as he has distanced himself from the family and appears determined to dismantle them. On the other hand, Kayce (Luke Grimes) may appear to be a more viable candidate for inheriting Yellowstone. He shares his father's passion for the land and has a son who can carry on the legacy. However, Kayce has consistently struggled to balance his familial duties with ranch responsibilities. Though he enjoys a game of cops and robbers, he lacks the true tenacity required to protect the family's land. The conflict surrounding the ranch has repeatedly spilled over into his personal life, causing profound trauma for his wife and son. Despite moving away from the ranch and settling into their own home, Kayce's issues with Monica (Kelsey Asbille) are unlikely to be resolved until he chooses to prioritize his own family over the Duttons' lifestyle.

Despite not being well-liked by some, Beth is undoubtedly the rightful inheritor of Yellowstone. Her past is marred by violent attacks and childhood traumas, which have shaped her into the seemingly cold and unsympathetic person she is today. Nevertheless, she has always prioritized the protection of her family and taken every possible measure to ensure their safety. Her unwavering dedication and resilience make her the most deserving candidate to succeed her father, rather than her brothers. As Yellowstone's current season reaches its conclusion, there is an undeniable excitement in anticipating Beth's return to our screens. And perhaps, with John's eventual departure, she will assume the ideal position to take charge herself.