The Hidden Darkness Behind Kevin Costner's John Dutton: Untold Yellowstone Secrets

Summary

John's code and moral boundaries differentiate him from classic "protagonist villains" like Walter White, but he still has his fair share of problems.

John Dutton's relationships with his children expose his true character as an inconsistent parent, particularly since the passing of his wife. Rejecting a $500 million buyout for the ranch further showcases John's unwavering determination, albeit at the expense of considering the potential ramifications for his family.

Despite being the main character of Yellowstone, John Dutton is portrayed as the show's villain. The trend of showcasing morally complex antagonists, as seen in The Sopranos and Breaking Bad, continues with John Dutton. While he may have some justifications that make viewers sympathize with him and the Yellowstone Ranch, there are scenes that serve as reminders of his true character. Although John Dutton has a moral code and certain boundaries which differentiate him from someone like Walter White, he still faces numerous problems.

One way to gauge John's character is through his relationships with his children. While he may exhibit warmth and affection towards certain individuals, it is evident that he hasn't been a consistent parent since the death of his wife. His life revolves around the relentless battle for the Yellowstone Ranch, and as the fifth season of Yellowstone approaches, there are no signs of him giving up. He is determined to fight for this cause, even despite the sacrifices that have already been made.

10 John Tries To Kick Out Beth

9 John Reveals That He Kicked Kayce Out For Getting Monica Pregnant

In season 4, Summer Higgins was assigned by Beth to ignite a protest, which ultimately led to her being sentenced to prison. John, upon discovering this, becomes enraged and condemns Beth for going against the family's ethical code by targeting someone who is not their adversary, ultimately ejecting her from their lives. While Beth's exploitation of Summer was unquestionably wrong, it exposes the emblematic toxicity of their relationship. Frequently oblivious to Beth's deceitful and heartless tactics, John's reaction is intensified when it results in the incarceration of his romantic interest. Beth is utterly devastated when her father articulates his disappointment.

John and Kayce shared a complex relationship, especially in the initial season when Kayce resided outside the ranch. Towards the end of season 2, John unravels the reason behind their strained dynamics - he had instructed Kayce to take Monica to an abortion clinic when she became pregnant with Tate. However, Kayce chose to marry Monica and together they raised Tate away from the ranch. Instead of supporting Kayce, John turned his back on him, leading to years of estrangement before rebuilding their bond with his son and grandson.

8 John Kicks Teeter And Laramie Out Of The Bunkhouse

7 John Reveals That He Lied To Jamie About Being Adopted

Following a bitter disagreement between Lloyd and Walker regarding Laramie in the fourth season, John reaches a decision to relocate the women from the Bunkhouse. This move is regarded as a complete betrayal for Teeter, who had committed no wrongdoing and had even shown her loyalty by getting branded. Teeter's deep affection and unwavering commitment to the ranch ultimately lead John to reconsider his initial stance. However, the problematic aspect of this situation lies in John's unfair scapegoating of women, rather than holding the men accountable for their own actions.

In Yellowstone's third season, Jamie uncovers the truth about his true father, Garrett Randle. Filled with rage, Jamie confronts his father, who reveals that he deliberately concealed the knowledge to protect Jamie from Garrett, a convicted murderer, and because the Duttons were his real family. However, the revelation comes with the harsh reality that John does not love Jamie in the same way he loves his biological children, as he has been consistently abusive and emotionally distant towards Jamie. John's deception regarding Jamie's parentage was an attempt to manipulate him into a false sense of loyalty.

6 John Runs Against His Own Son For Governor

To compound Jamie's misery, John delivers a devastating blow to his face in season 4 when he intervenes and snatches Jamie's endorsement to run for governor himself. Jamie is summoned, expecting to deliver his speech announcing his candidacy, only to discover that John is the favored candidate whom Senator Lynelle Perry plans to endorse. Rather than informing Jamie of his intentions beforehand, John deliberately crushes his son by allowing him to discover the betrayal at the last moment, causing immense embarrassment and humiliation.

5 John Uses People For Murder

In Yellowstone, a series of incidents has repeatedly unfolded, depicting John Dutton employing his dedicated team of bunkhouse cowboys, with Rip playing a prominent role, to commit acts of murder and subsequently conceal their victims' remains. Leveraging his influential political status, he has repeatedly managed to evade consequences for eliminating his adversaries. Although his enterprise operates within the bounds of the law, the accumulation of bodies implicates him as an influential figure within the realm of organized crime.

4 John Almost Gets Himself Killed

John Dutton's children, especially Beth, live their lives revolving around him in the Yellowstone family tree, constantly striving to safeguard him and his principles. Thus, it becomes even more self-centered when he engages in reckless actions. In season 4 of the show, John Dutton and Rip bear witness to an unplanned hold-up in a diner, involving four armed individuals. While John could have chosen not to intervene, he impulsively jumps in to play the role of a hero and emerges victorious, saving the day. This characteristic conduct is not uncommon for him, as he frequently overlooks medical advice and willingly involves himself in perilous and violent circumstances. Such behavior dismisses and disregards the considerable efforts made by his children to protect him, a fact emphasized by Beth in season 4.

3 John Dutton Says He Is Against Progress

In John Dutton's declaration of his candidacy for Governor, he makes his opposition to progress abundantly clear. Although his commitment to safeguarding the natural world from the grasp of large corporations may initially appear commendable, the issue lies in his excessive ownership of land. The Duttons forcefully seized this land from Indigenous Americans in the late 1800s, a theme expertly explored in the series through the Broken Rock Reservation. Instead of helping to allocate land for the tribe members, he selfishly retains 800,000 acres solely for himself and his employees.

2 The Yellowstone Season 1 Cattle Feud Gets Lee Dutton Killed

John's firstborn son, Lee Dutton, met a tragic end in the very first episode of the show. Strangely enough, it appears that the characters have conveniently forgotten about him, barely mentioning his name since his demise. In a heated dispute with the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, John, not without blame, assigned Lee the task of reclaiming cattle which ultimately led to his shootout-induced death. The decision to utilize his own son as a soldier was far from ideal, yet John seems to have learned little from this mistake, persistently dispatching Kayce to the front lines throughout the entire series.

1 John Refuses The $500 Million Buyout For The Ranch

John Dutton has consistently expressed his financial struggles and the dire state of the ranch. Market Equities, the antagonistic force in Yellowstone, presents John with a lucrative offer of $500 million for the land, envisioning its transformation into an airport. While the idea of converting such a majestic piece of land into an airport is appalling, it is highly unlikely that John will receive a more advantageous proposition. If it were only him facing the consequences, it might have been commendable to cling to his property and fight until the end. However, regrettably, his family will also bear the brunt of the repercussions.