As Yellowstone gears up for its final season in 2024, fans are bracing themselves to say farewell to the Dutton family and the iconic ranch that has captivated audiences since 2018.
With the end in sight, speculation is running wild about how the show will wrap up its legendary run. Here are ten of the most compelling and shocking theories on how Yellowstone might end.
**1. John Dutton’s Demise**
One of the most talked-about theories is the possible death of John Dutton. Hints have been dropped throughout the series, including John’s own words about not having years left to build a legacy.
The tragic loss of Kayce and Monica’s baby, named John Dutton, is seen by many as foreshadowing. If the show takes this route, it would be a heartbreaking but fitting end for the family patriarch who has endured so much.
**2. The Duttons Go to Jail**
Given John’s morally ambiguous actions, it wouldn’t be shocking if the series ended with him—or other members of the family—behind bars. This scenario could explain Kevin Costner’s exit and would be a poetic form of justice, considering the Duttons’ long history of skirting the law to protect their land.
**3. Kayce’s Vision Comes True**
Kayce’s mysterious vision, where he faces a woman in white and two difficult choices, could be a major clue. He tells Monica he saw “the end of us,” suggesting a possible end to the Dutton family line.
The vision, combined with the loss of their baby, hints that the family could be destroyed or forced apart by the series’ conclusion.
**4. The Ranch Returns to Broken Rock Reservation**
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A prophecy in the Yellowstone prequel “1883” stated that after seven generations, the Dutton land would return to its original Native American owners.
With Tate Dutton and Jamie’s son representing the seventh generation, this prophecy could finally come true, returning the ranch to the Broken Rock Reservation and fulfilling a long-standing narrative arc.
**5. John Dutton’s Conservation Easement Passes**
Another theory is that John’s plan to place the ranch under a conservation easement succeeds. This would allow the Duttons to keep the land intact, but under strict new conditions. It would be a bittersweet victory—preserving the ranch, but changing its future forever.
**6. The Dutton Ranch Gets Sold**
After years of fighting off corporate interests like Market Equities, the Duttons might finally lose the ranch to a new owner. Some speculate Matthew McConaughey’s rumored character could take over, setting up a fresh start for the Yellowstone universe and potential spin-offs.
**7. Jamie or Beth Dutton Die**
The feud between Jamie and Beth is one of the show’s most explosive dynamics. If either (or both) of them were to die, it would leave the family and the ranch in chaos. This dark theory is plausible, given their history of betrayal and revenge.
**8. Jamie and Beth Reconcile**
On a more optimistic note, some fans believe Jamie and Beth might finally bury the hatchet and team up to save the ranch. Their combined strengths could unify the family and create new opportunities for the Duttons to survive whatever threats come their way.
**9. Jamie Dutton Gets the Ranch**
What if the family’s black sheep, Jamie, ends up in control of the ranch? This twist would open a new chapter, with Jamie facing new challenges as the head of the Yellowstone legacy.
**10. Tate Dutton Inherits the Ranch**
Finally, the future of the ranch might lie with Tate Dutton, whose mixed Dutton and Indigenous heritage could provide a loophole in the prophecy. If Tate becomes the new owner, it would usher in a new era and possibly unite the land’s past and future.
As the series finale approaches, all eyes are on Yellowstone to see which—if any—of these theories will come true. One thing is certain: the end will be unforgettable.
