Recap of 'Yellowstone' Season 1: A Comprehensive Guide for Season 2

The Big Picture

John Dutton is dying and his main mission in Season 1 of Yellowstone is to save the Dutton ranch and bring his family together to preserve their heritage.

Returning to the Yellowstone after his brother Lee's demise, Kayce becomes consumed by anger as he battles to safeguard the ranch for the sake of his son's future.

In a surprising turn of events, Jamie changes his allegiance and campaigns for the position of attorney general. However, his political aspirations start interfering with his responsibilities at the Yellowstone, compelling him to make a choice that threatens to undermine his father's enduring legacy.

As Yellowstone prepares to make its highly anticipated return for the second half of its fifth and final season on streaming platforms, new viewers have been introduced to the series through CBS, which is committed to airing the entire neo-Western. Due to a previous streaming agreement with Peacock, the Taylor Sheridan-created show is exclusively available for streaming on that platform, making its debut on network television a testament to the enduring popularity of the Dutton family's empire.

Yellowstone is a drama and Western TV show created by John Linson and Taylor Sheridan. It was released on June 20, 2018 and stars Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Chow, Cole Hauser, Gil Birmingham, and Danny Huston. The show has a TV-MA rating and has aired for 5 seasons.

John Dutton Has Only One Mission in 'Yellowstone' Season 1: Save the Ranch

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Throughout the first season, the viewers are informed about John Dutton's deteriorating health. As the head of the Dutton family and a local Montana Livestock Commissioner, John is battling colon cancer. Armed with this knowledge, he believes it is essential to gather his children together to preserve their family legacy. When a cattle dispute arises and he narrowly escapes death, John summons Beth back from Salt Lake City and endeavors to retrieve his youngest son, Kayce, from the nearby Broken Rock Indian Reservation. Kayce resides there with his wife, Monica, and their son, Tate.

Throughout the first season, John goes to great lengths to protect his ranch from intruders. This includes resisting the advances of Dan Jenkins, a greedy land developer, and Chief Thomas Rainwater, the tribal leader of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. Both individuals covet John's land, which spans an area comparable to that of Rhode Island. As John confronts these adversaries, he struggles to keep his family united.

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. As suspicions of illegal activity arise among the wranglers, the sheriff investigates John's right-hand man, Rip Wheeler (portrayed by Cole Hauser). Meanwhile, John's son, Jamie (played by Wes Bentley), finds himself torn between his own political career (more on that later). John, feeling trapped, steadfastly refuses any further medical intervention despite being on the brink of death. To him, sacrificing his life for the sake of his ancestral land is one of the most meaningful things he can do, even though he is not yet ready to embrace the afterlife.

Kayce Has Come Back Into the Fold in 'Yellowstone' Season 1, and It's Cost Him Everything

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Kayce, as John's youngest son, carries a chip on his shoulder due to a significant incident. When Kayce and Monica first became a couple and discovered they were expecting a child, John attempted to persuade Kayce to pressure Monica into having an abortion. This led Kayce to leave the Dutton Ranch abruptly, marked by his father's branding, seemingly severing ties forever. However, fate has a peculiar way of reuniting people, and in Kayce's case, he is drawn back to Yellowstone following the tragic passing of his older brother, Lee (Dave Annable).

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Seeking a meaningful bond with his grandson, John successfully convinces Kayce to allow him regular visits with Tate. However, everything changes when Monica is brutally attacked and hospitalized. It is during this critical moment that Kayce reveals to Monica the truth about his brother Robert's tragic death, and his own act of self-defense. Understanding that the presence of John and the Duttons is endangering her family, Monica firmly declares that her duty as a mother is to shield Tate from potential harm, even if it means protecting him from Kayce and his father.

Consequently, feeling desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Kayce returns to the Yellowstone. Despite his previous efforts to distance himself from the ranch and its associated violence, Kayce's pent-up anger finally takes hold, pushing him to unleash his protective instincts to the fullest extent in defense of the Dutton Ranch. "The only thing I have left is to secure a future for my son," Kayce confides to his father in the Season 1 finale. "This is the only thing I can offer him. I understand what you need."

Jamie Gets Himself in Political Hot Water in 'Yellowstone' Season 1

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However, Kayce is not the sole Dutton boy who has changed sides during the initial season. Initially, Jamie tirelessly works to protect the Dutton Ranch from legal trouble and defends his father's reputation. However, everything changes when Beth returns home and their long-standing rivalry makes it difficult for Jamie to find his place in the family. In the series premiere, Beth confronts her brother, stating, "I've come to accomplish what you couldn't."

As the first season progresses, Jamie begins to contemplate a life beyond the ranch. After Governor Lynelle Perry recognizes his potential, she convinces Jamie to run for attorney general, with the possibility of becoming a governor in the future. Initially, John supports his son's political aspirations as long as they benefit the ranch. However, when Jamie's campaign interferes with his responsibilities at Yellowstone, John demands that he withdraw from the race. Finally asserting his independence, Jamie refuses, leading to his expulsion and removal from the payroll. Furthermore, John excludes him entirely from benefiting from the land trust that Beth establishes.

While on the campaign trail, Jamie encounters Sarah Nguyen (Michaela Conlin), an undercover reporter from New York. Sarah seeks to expose the criminal elements within John Dutton's ranching empire and sees Jamie as a potential source. After careful consideration, Jamie realizes that this is his only choice. "The only way to safeguard my father's legacy is by dismantling the man himself," Jamie declares in the final moments, willing to grant the interview that will ultimately demolish his father.

Beth and Rip Dance Around What They Really Want in 'Yellowstone' Season 1

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Beth, on the other hand, possesses a dark nature, as John describes it. This is precisely why he summoned his daughter in the first place - to carry out the nefarious tasks that no one else is willing to undertake. And indeed, she executes them with an unmatched finesse. Eventually, her focus shifts to her father's nemesis, Dan Jenkins. Beth begins by toying with Jenkins' emotions and desires before strategically redirecting the water supply that previously flowed into the area where Jenkins had intended to develop his land.

However, Beth's involvement extends beyond her resistance against corporate lackeys. As the first season progresses, a flicker of their past connection is reignited between Beth and Rip, tracing back to the time before she departed from Yellowstone Dutton Ranch years ago. Amidst sporadic moments of intimacy, it becomes evident that Rip desires a deeper commitment from their relationship, while Beth remains hesitant. Their uncertain game of will-they, won't-they encounters a disruption when a new ex-convict-turned-ranch hand named Walker (portrayed by Ryan Bingham) emerges in the season finale, sharing a passionate encounter with Beth that leaves Rip disheartened.

In the concluding scene of the season, Beth candidly confides in her father about her motives behind carrying out his shady tasks. Contrary to her love for the ranch, she reveals her plans to sell many possessions to which he has grown accustomed, including the cherished family dining room table he frequently dreams of. Instead, she discloses her actions are driven by her dedication to him. This revelation undoubtedly adds a bewildering twist to the notion of "daddy's little girl."

'Yellowstone' Season 1's Antagonists Have Different Ideas for the Dutton Land

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Yellowstone's first season introduces two main adversaries: Thomas Rainwater and Dan Jenkins. Each of these men has their own motivations for wanting the Dutton land. Rainwater claims that he wants to return the land to his people and have it integrated into the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. However, he often hints at simply desiring the land for himself, fueled by his personal animosity towards John Dutton, especially after his arrest.

On the other side, Jenkins aims to establish a new settlement in Paradise Valley, Montana, complete with a large-scale development project, including an airport. While Jenkins may appear somewhat incompetent at times, the season finale unveils his true nature as the mastermind behind John's almost fatal encounter in the show's opening scene. "It was a conveniently opportune moment," he confesses after being captured and confronted by Kayce, Rip, and other ranch hands.

The conclusion sees Jenkins facing the consequences of his crimes as he is left to hang, but not before he sets in motion a plan for a partnership with Rainwater. They both agree that the most profitable use of the land is to construct a casino on the outskirts of John's property, taking advantage of the increasing number of tourists and potential state revenue to pressure the Duttons into relinquishing their land. It is no surprise that Kayce abandoned him to dangle from a tree.

Jimmy Goes From Criminal to Branded Ranchhand in 'Yellowstone' Season 1

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Introduced later on in the pilot, Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) is a former thief and drug cook. He is taken in by John Dutton after a request from his grandfather. Rip immediately gives Jimmy the Yellowstone brand, making him the target of ridicule among the group of ranchers initially. However, those who underestimate the young greenhorn quickly regret their mistake. Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith) even escorts one such individual to the "train station," resulting in their disappearance.

Throughout the season, Jimmy gradually improves his ranching skills and, once he learns to ride a horse proficiently, he starts contributing to the ranch. Eventually, he becomes involved in the lynch mob led by Kayce and Rip, capturing and leaving Dan Jenkins hanging from the Yellowstone to die. However, it is clear that Jimmy still has a lot to prove before he is fully accepted as a member of the Dutton crew, despite being given his own brand of responsibility.

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