John Dutton returns and another murder

On November 25, 2024By Littum

Spoiler alert: We discuss the details of Sunday’s explosive “Yellowstone” episode.

Hollywood star Kevin Costner should never have bitten the hand that writes his beloved “Yellowstone” character, and that point is made graphically clear in Sunday’s episode.

Fans of America’s No. 1 show is well aware of the tough battles between Costner, who has played protagonist John Dutton in the neo-western series since its 2018 premiere, and creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan. The sometimes public skirmish apparently ended when Costner formally announced in June that he would not return for the apparently final “Yellowstone” episodes.

Sheridan summarily killed Dutton in the opening moments of the back half of season 5, which premiered on November 10, in a gruesome, bloody bathroom shooting death that looked like a suicide. Costner’s stunt double played the dead Dutton, but viewers were spared some really gory footage. The broadcast could have been worse. Still, Dutton’s death and Costner’s response to it went viral, even though the star insisted he hadn’t seen the episode. It looked like we could drive on with “Yellowstone”.

Well, until Sunday’s episode, when Dutton’s stiff and blue body is thoroughly examined by the medical examiner, flipped and examined some more, almost like a Showtime version of “CSI: Montana.”

The Sideshow isn’t just another shot at Costner, who has no control over his character’s fate. The morgue scene demonstrates the heat building up around Governor Dutton’s death investigation. Here’s what happened in one harrowing episode:

How did John Dutton die? Episode 11 shows flashbacks from the takedown

“Yellowstone” transforms into a whole new show in this episode, as the Duttons become players in a part crime, part John Clancy thriller. Initially (and improbably), only loyal Dutton offspring Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) suspect that the controversial governor and rancher might have been murdered. The siblings know, too, because both had visions at the moment of death, though Beth’s might have been pharmaceutically enhanced by popping Adderalls during an all-night drive home.

Governor Dutton’s death is fully revealed in flashback. Three balaclava-wearing pros grab the sleeping governor, who doesn’t stand a chance. He is dragged, carried and drugged in the bathroom; a gun is forced into his hand and held to his head. It’s a tight scene. Dutton doesn’t even say a word, conveniently since Costner wasn’t available to film the death scene.

‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 Trailer Features Kevin Costner’s Dutton

Watch the new trailer for the second half of “Yellowstone” Season 5, which airs on the Paramount Network on November 10. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton returns.

Livestock Commissioner Kayce Dutton is leading the investigation

Sheridan continues to sensationalize Kayce’s role as commissioner of the Montana Livestock Association. The faithful son flashes his MLA badge and influence in the coroner’s office. But he mostly relies on his OG contacts and clear-eyed persistence to urge reconsideration of the original decision to commit suicide. Dr. Everly (Vinessa Shaw), the coroner, agrees to look at the governor again. Kayce insists on going along to see.

In the morgue, war veteran Kayce from Afghanistan explains his theory about how the murder took place. He wins the day. It is now quite likely murder! Case reopened. Give the smoking hot Commissioner and Dr. Everly their own CBS “Yellowstone” coroner spinoff, pronto!

Police announce a homicide investigation involving the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Kayce throws Jamie Dutton free across the Attorney General’s desk

Kayce and Beth know the whole score: Their adopted brother, Attorney General Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), somehow worked with his lawyer girlfriend, Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), to kill the governor after he blocked a land deal on several billion dollars. .

Jamie had mentioned something about “going on the attack” to Sarah in bed and she ran with it. Sarah hired the mysterious assassins so Jamie’s hands are clean. Dutton’s death sets the major development deal back on track, which will surely destroy Yellowstone Ranch and Paradise Valley. Jamie is poised to benefit greatly, but continues to lose his cool with setbacks like the murder investigation. If there’s an acting award for sustained ugly crying, Bentley has it locked down.

Beth knocked Jamie around last week. In Sunday’s episode, it’s Kayce’s turn. He walks into the DA’s office, grabs his brother by the lapels and throws him across his desk, and hangs up as Jamie slams into his leather chair and hits the floor. The punishment stops there. Beth has made it clear that she wants to do any Jamie killing as revenge. So Jamie’s inevitable death will have to wait.

Sarah Atwood pays the ultimate price for messing with the Duttons

Sarah is an agile operator. But she is also understandably rattled by sudden investigations, the persistence of the Dutton family and the secret assassination firm’s unwillingness to take her calls. Sarah even buys a burner phone from a mall store and hilariously storms off before showing the required ID. Then Sarah.

But she stops Jamie from having a total freakout during a phone call while stopped at a light (one of the few traffic signals she obeys). “Trust me,” she tells him.

The light is still red when a seemingly chirpy, oblivious couple pulls up next to her in a beat-up minivan, looking for a way. (By the way, nobody really asks for directions anymore). Sarah just manages to snarl that she has no idea when the fake man’s passenger pulls out a gun and shoots her dead. They are corporate killers cleaning up their one loose end.

Poor Jamie is still on the phone. There is no playbook for this reality – hitman-for-hire girlfriend killed by hitmen while AG talks to her! He calls 911 and sets off the roaring fireworks.

We’ll have to find out next week how Jamie tries to talk his way out of this one.