‘Yellowstone’ Did John Dutton, Kevin Costner, And Fans Dirty With Disrespectful Death Storyline

After a nearly two-year hiatus and months of speculation surrounding the fate of Kevin Costner and his character John Dutton, Yellowstone returned to Paramount Network only to do fans, Costner, and his beloved character dirty.

Warning: Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 9 spoilers ahead.

Before the opening credits of Season 5, Episode 9 rolled, fans watched Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and Jamie (Wes Bentley) receive the devastating news that their father — the legendary Dutton patriarch and Montana’s 26th governor — had died.

The day that characters and fans alike long feared had finally arrived, and after beholding five seasons of fearless John Dutton fights, wisdom, and fortitude, something didn’t feel quite right. When police called in a code 10-56 — suggesting that Dutton died by suicide — the narrative took on new levels of confusion and pain, because as Beth and Kayce knew, their father showed no signs of suicidal ideation and was presumably far too proud to take his own life.

In Beth’s mind, someone had ordered a hit on him — but not just anyone: Jamie.

“Suicide?” Beth asked Kayce. “Not only did Jamie kill the man; he killed everything our father has ever done. Everything he has achieved. Everything he has left to us. Every memory. He just killed ’em all.” When Kayce shared doubts that Jamie could be “capable” of such cruelty, Beth replied, “I know he’s capable of it.” And while she may be right, Jamie didn’t act alone.

As the episode progressed, viewers learned that Jamie wasn’t the one who directly ordered John Dutton’s demise. His parter-in-crime Sarah Atwood (Dawn Oliveri) hired the hit that took his life, and judging from a homicide investigation news report that flashes in the Season 5, Part 2 teaser trailer, her plan has the potential to spectacularly unravel.

Back in June, following long-running rumors of disagreements between Coster and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, the star officially confirmed he’d be departing from the series to prioritize his Horizon: An American Saga film series. There was no question that Yellowstone would look drastically different without the actor’s powerful presence. Nevertheless, fans hoped that both Costner and John Dutton’s storylines would wrap in a way that felt worthy of the legendary run. After all, John is a man who beat cancer, recovered from gunshot wounds, won countless battles with enemies, and managed not to let the daily drama of his three chaotic children shake him. He’s tough as nails, and he deserved a departure that showcased his strength and passion.

Instead, many fans feel his anti-climactic off-screen death, the way he’s suspected of dying, and even the reveal that a Sarah-hired professional took him down did a major disservice to Costner, his character, and the show as a whole.

“Imagine the audacity of Taylor Sheridan treating Kevin Costner like that,” one X user wrote in response to the Season 5, Episode 9 twist.

“The way to end his character was just dumbfounded and lazy. Could’ve been a better way or he just could’ve rode off into the sunset,” another fan reflected.

“John Dutton deserved to go out like a gladiator, not a victim. Completely undoes the series. I’m not a fan at all how #Yellowstone handled Costner’s departure,” a third disappointed Yellowstone viewer wrote.

For five seasons, fans watched Kevin Costner lose himself in his craft and his character, John Dutton work to save his ranch and secure a specific family legacy, and the series build towards an epic battle between Dutton and his adopted/estranged son Jamie. Seeing the plans fall apart felt — to paraphrase Beth — like Yellowstone not only killed John Dutton; it killed everything he’s ever done. Everything he’s ever achieved. Everything he has left to his kids. Every memory. The show just killed ’em all.

Quickly showing parts of John’s body on the floor, spotlighting his children’s reactions to the news, and informing viewers that Jamie’s gal pal is behind it all felt like a jarring departure from whatever grand conclusion Yellowstone originally planned. In Sheridan’s defense, without Costner’s physical presence on set for any Season 5, Part 2 episodes, crafting a compelling, fulfilling narrative was understandably challenging.

The somewhat lackluster storyline may be a let down — especially after nearly two years of hype — but it did set the stage for impressive performances from Yellowstone‘s remaining players, plus, it further fueled a revenge arc against Jamie and Sarah. Moving forward, if the show wants to reconcile as much as it can with fans, it needs to make major efforts to reclaim John’s legacy and deliver one last epic blow-out on his behalf.

Costner and Dutton won’t be there for the fight, but each step of the final five episodes will be driven by the actor and character’s importance. Perhaps that’s the best Sheridan could have done under the unique, unfortunate circumstances. Either way, it will have to be enough.

New episodes of Yellowstone premiere Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount Network.