Unveiling Yellowstone's Most Haunting Moments: Brace Yourself for the Darkest Tales Yet

Summary

Yellowstone

Explores the gritty truths of the Western genre, revealing the intricate moral compass of protagonist John Dutton. The series' most disturbing scenes, such as the death of baby John Dutton and Beth's savage assault, deeply resonate with audiences.

Yellowstone's legacy lies in a history of violence and power abuse, shedding light on the show's antihero nature and John Dutton's role as the true antagonist.

Through its darkest moments, Yellowstone serves as a testament to the essence of Neo-Westerns: exposing the brutal truths upon which the Western genre is built. Unlike traditional Westerns that often present a clear division between good and evil, Neo-Westerns challenge these ideals by placing them within the framework of the real world. This is evident in the actions of its protagonist, John Dutton, who consistently manipulates his authority for personal gain while advocating for the same environmental values as the Indigenous community he constantly undermines. To truly capture the intricate web of morality, Yellowstone incorporates some of the most haunting scenes in television history.

11 Baby John Dutton Dies In Season 5

As Yellowstone draws to a close, it is these haunting moments that will linger in the minds of viewers long after the Duttons' story concludes. Just like the Byrdes in Ozark or the infamous crime family in The Sopranos, the Duttons' legacy in Yellowstone is steeped in bloodshed. Their foundation is built upon the numerous lives they have callously discarded at the "train station." From their ruthless acts of judgment, jury, and execution in Paradise Valley to the scenes that confront us with the harsh realities of Taylor Sheridan's morally ambiguous crime drama, here are 11 of the most chilling moments in Yellowstone.

In the first episode of Yellowstone season 5, titled "One Hundred Years Is Nothing," a distressing event takes place. Monica experiences labor contractions much earlier than expected, three weeks before her due date. Faced with the urgency of the situation, Monica decides to drive herself and Tate to the hospital, while Kayce arranges for an ambulance to meet them on the way. Tragically, a car accident ensues, resulting in the loss of Monica and Kayce's unborn child, though Monica and Tate manage to survive. As the episode concludes, Tate reveals to John that they have chosen to name the baby after the Dutton family patriarch. This poignant moment not only marks one of the darkest occurrences in Yellowstone but also raises the possibility of John Dutton's future demise in the show.

10 John Dutton Puts Down A Horse In Season 1

Yellowstone's pilot episode starts with a devastating accident and multiple vehicle pileup on the highway, leaving John Dutton as the apparent sole survivor. Amidst the chaos, John stumbles upon a severely injured horse trapped in a trailer, providing the animal with a brief moment of solace and softly murmuring, "the best I can offer you is peace." With a single shot from his revolver, John compassionately ends the horse's suffering. This early scene in Yellowstone sets a grim tone, unveiling the harsh realities that ranchers regularly face. It also introduces John's prominent position in the world, as the authorities arrive and instantly recognize him as the former commissioner.

9 Tate Gets Kidnapped In Season 2

The tenth episode of Yellowstone's second season, titled "Sins of the Father," takes the ongoing rivalry between the Duttons and the Beck brothers to a dangerous level. In their quest for revenge, the Becks resort to hiring neo-Nazi thugs to abduct Tate, the youngest member of the Dutton family. Thankfully, Tate is ultimately saved by his father Kayce, but not before the Duttons unleash a wave of destruction upon their enemies. This horrific incident marks one of the darkest moments in the history of Yellowstone. Although the Becks were the first to cross the line, the Duttons, utilizing their authority and exploiting state resources, carry out merciless acts of vengeance. Initially portrayed with noble intentions, this alarming event serves as an early indication that John Dutton may indeed be the true villain within the world of Yellowstone.

8 Rip Kills Roarke With A Rattlesnake In Season 4

7 Beth Dutton Gets Beat Up In Season 2

In Yellowstone season 4, episode 1 "Half the Money," following the harrowing attempt on the Duttons' lives in the violent finale of season 3, Rip Wheeler wastes no time in seeking retribution against Roarke. Rip spots Roarke fishing at the very river where Beth first encountered him and strolls towards him with an inconspicuous cooler in hand. With vengeful intentions for Roarke's murderous plot against John and Beth Dutton, Rip unveils a venomous rattlesnake from the cooler and hurls it onto Roarke's face. The snake sinks its fangs into Roarke, causing him to endure an agonizing demise. This chilling incident not only stands as one of the most sinister moments in Yellowstone but also showcases Rip's ingenuity in delivering punishment on the show.

The following entry discusses rape and sexual abuse.

In Yellowstone season 2, episode 7, "Resurrection Day," Beth Dutton experiences a horrifying assault at her workplace courtesy of the Beck brothers' relentless campaign against the Duttons. While two armed assailants violently attack and fatally injure Beth's assistant Jason, she urgently contacts Rip for assistance. The assailants proceed to assault Beth and make menacing threats of rape, until Rip swiftly intervenes and eliminates them. As Rip calls for medical assistance, Beth unleashes her rage on the lifeless bodies until the moment Rip restrains her. Despite displaying unwavering courage throughout the ordeal, Beth eventually succumbs to overwhelming emotions, finding solace only when Rip confesses his love for her - a truly poignant and harrowing moment that stands out amidst the darkness within Yellowstone.

6 Jamie Kills Garrett In Season 4

The train station in Yellowstone is brimming with the remains of those who stood against the Duttons. In the gripping tenth episode of season 4, titled "Grass on the Streets and Weeds on the Rooftops," Jamie Dutton's biological father, Garrett Randall, becomes an addition to this macabre collection. The intense encounter between Jamie and Garrett delves into their intertwined past, culminating in Jamie tragically shooting his own father. Later, driven by Beth's manipulative ultimatum, Jamie secretly disposes of Garrett's lifeless body at the train station while Beth captures the chilling act on camera. This distressing turn of events foreshadows a bleak final showdown between Beth and Jamie, as their rivalry takes a hauntingly dark turn.

5 Kayce's Vision Of Lee In Season 4

Kayce's initiation into Monica's tribe takes place in episode 10 of Yellowstone season 4, titled "Grass on the Streets and Weeds on the Rooftops." During the Hanbleceya ceremony, which translates to "to cry for a vision" in Lakota, Kayce spends several days alone in the wilderness, waiting for spiritual guidance. In a particularly haunting moment, Kayce is visited by the ghost of his deceased brother, Lee. Despite Lee's attempts to persuade Kayce to leave the prayer circle, which would have made him vulnerable to the spirits, Kayce remains steadfast. Lee, expressing his anger and resentment towards Kayce for his untimely death, spews blood, further intensifying Kayce's feelings of guilt and remorse over his past actions.

4 Young John Dutton Poisons A Land Developer In Season 5

In the latest episode of Yellowstone season 5, titled "The Sting of Wisdom," viewers are taken on a chilling journey into the past of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Present-day scenes show Rip taking drastic measures to eliminate evidence of ranch hands slaughtering protected wolves. This is intercut with a haunting flashback, revealing a young John Dutton stumbling upon lifeless creatures near a stream on the ranch. Eventually, it is discovered that these deaths are linked to an EPA-approved herbicide being used by a nearby construction site. In a shocking turn of events, the Yellowstone ranch hands spray the potent chemical on the house and entire property of the site foreman, rendering him unconscious. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself surrounded by deceased birds and lifeless grass, drenched in the very same lethal substance.

3 Samantha Takes Her Own Life In Season 1

Content Warning: The following entry discusses suicide.

In Yellowstone's first season, episode 3 titled "No Good Horses," a devastating outcome unfolds following the death of Monica's brother, Robert Long, as seen in the pilot episode. Samantha, Robert's wife, tragically takes her own life at the Broken Rock Reservation, knowing that she cannot raise her two sons and daughter alone. This heartbreaking scene sheds light on the harsh reality of the high suicide rates among Indigenous American women. Additionally, it emphasizes the true consequences of the Duttons' hostile and possessive behavior towards their Indigenous neighbors, as Robert's death was a result of the ongoing feud between the two groups.

2 Monica And Mo Kill A Predator In Season 3

The following entry discusses the serious topics of rape and sexual abuse.

In episode 8 of Yellowstone season 3, titled "I Killed A Man Today," an intense and disturbing event unfolds involving Monica. When Monica's car breaks down, she finds herself in a vulnerable situation upon accepting a ride from a stranger. This driver leads her to a remote dirt road where he proceeds to assault her. In a desperate attempt to escape, Monica flees into the open plains, only to be trapped and held down by her attacker. Just as the assailant is on the verge of choking Monica unconscious, a gunshot is heard. It is then revealed that Mo, covered in blood alongside Monica, shot and killed her attacker. The shocking truth emerges that Monica herself was part of a plan to apprehend a predator who has been targeting Indigenous women.

1 The Lynching Of Wade Morrow In Season 3

The long-standing feud between John and Wade Morrow finally comes to an end in episode 9 of Yellowstone season 3 titled "Meaner Than Evil." Teeter and Ryan are entrusted with the prestigious Yellowstone brand and are then called upon to fulfill their obligations. In order to prove his unwavering loyalty, Walker joins forces with John, Rip, and the rest of the ranch hands to apprehend Wade Morrow and his men. Under the cover of darkness, the Duttons carry out Wade's execution by hanging - a chilling moment that is not only marked by its brutality but also serves to unveil the true significance of riding for the Yellowstone brand.