Yellowstone Stars Discuss How John Dutton's Absence Impacts Them and the Series

After two years of offscreen drama and constant questions about the fate of one of TV's biggest shows, Yellowstone is back for its final six episodes, for now. Of course, creator Taylor Sheridan could announce a continuation or sequel or spinoff at any time, but for all intents and purposes, this is the last hurrah for the Dutton family. It's also the first hurrah without star Kevin Costner, who opted not to return due to scheduling conflicts with his own Western film franchise, Horizon. The Duttons are now without their steadfast patriarch as they head for a final showdown for the sanctity of their ranch, and it's bound to change a few things about this family's already wacky dynamics. 

Paramount Network has kept the exact nature of John's absence a closely held secret, but here's what we know about how it impacts his family. 

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Kayce and Monica

Kayce (Luke Grimes) has spent the series being pulled in two directions, grappling with his father's expectations on the ranch vs. caring for his wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and their son, Tate. In the last few episodes, John made it clear he hoped that the ranch would belong to Tate one day, and he put Kayce and Monica in charge of the ranch while he and Rip (Cole Hauser) tended to the cattle elsewhere. Monica pointed out to Kayce that maybe he really could have it both ways, and it all might seem like a great way to honor John in the wake of whatever takes him away from the show. 

Monica and John shared some incredibly sweet scenes in the first half of the season, which Asbille is grateful for. 

"They're almost kind of scheming at the end of 5A," Asbille told TV Guide. "Kayce has been so plagued by this choice he has to make, and I think for the two of them to really [say], 'How can we make this work?' is really special. In a way, there's a beautiful ending to their relationship, especially considering the way it started." 

Kayce, however, isn't ready to take on the legacy. 

"I think for Kayce, he always knew that was his father's plan, to take over the ranch one day, and I think it was never Kayce's plan," Grimes told TV Guide in an interview before the Season 5 Part 2's premiere. "So I think even in this temporary moment of running the ranch or being in charge, he probably feels like a fish out of water. It's not what he wants in his life for himself." 

Lucky for Kayce, their tenure as ranch bosses does not last long. 

"There's just some things that are bigger than all of them that happen that's going to need more attention than the ranch immediately," he teased. "There's some big earth-shattering events very quickly, right off the bat, and it's all hands on deck to try to figure out how to save the Dutton ranch and the legacy." 

Jamie vs. Beth

The last time we saw Jamie (Wes Bentley) and his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly), they were both planning to kill the other. Beth had suggested the idea to her father after learning about the family's habit of sending people to the "train station," while Jamie was working with ruthless Market Equities lawyer Sarah (Dawn Olivieri) to arrange the murder of Beth that didn't look like a murder at all. 

Bentley noted to TV Guide that while Beth is in his crosshairs, it's actually not about her at all. 

"John's a big part of all this," he said. "I think for Jamie's world, it's less about Beth and more about John and how he's trying to impress John and recover things with John, and Beth is his bully, his person in the way. I don't think he's always looking right at Beth. He's trying to get to John, and she's in the way. So it's interesting, the dynamic that he creates. We'll have to see how that plays out here." 

Regardless, it's not going to play out well. 

"It's Beth and Jamie," he reiterated. "You can't really picture it ever settling down and them having a therapy session or anything. It's a war, and they're out to get each other." 

Bentley promised that even without the family patriarch, the season is packed to the brim with drama.. 

"This coming season is very intense, very emotional, there's very high stakes and it's very dangerous," he said. "I think there's a lot for the fans to be excited about. It's like everything you love about Yellowstone, just amped up even more." 

Yellowstone returns Sunday, Nov. 10 at 8/7c on Paramount Network.