Yellowstone director Christina Voros has explained Kayce (Luke Grimes) doing a “counting coup,” and what it means for

Yellowstone season 5 as the final episodes approach. In Yellowstone season 5, episode 12, Kayce finds Grant (Matt

Gerald), the man who killed his father, John Dutton (Kevin Costner), and threatens him and his daughter. The former

soldier decides to invoke a “counting coup,” a Native tradition that involves harmlessly showing one’s mettle to their opponent. This involves knocking him out with the butt of his gun, signaling his loyalty to his family.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Voros explained how Kayce’s decision to employ a “counting coup” when confronting Grant about John’s murder shows how he’s willing to fight for his family in Yellowstone. She explains how it’s a symbolic moment for him, showing how he’s willing to protect the people he loves in ways that emphasize the history he’s part of. Check out what Voros had to say below:

It is him choosing his family and him choosing to battle for his family, and him choosing to battle for his family in a way that is true both to his own history and to the history of the family that he has married into. So, it feels destined.

What Kayce’s “Counting Coup” Means For The Final Episodes Of Yellowstone
Kayce Will Continue Protecting His Family

Out of everyone on the cast of Yellowstone, Kayce has been the one pursuing vengeance for his father’s death the most, despite their conflicts when he was alive. This latest episode illustrates how he isn’t done yet, his threatening actions showing he’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people he cares about. Which, in this instance, includes getting revenge for his dad’s murder, invoking practices of his wife’s culture in order to emphasize what he’s willing to do. It also hints that he’s not done, with the show’s two remaining episodes possibly continuing this storyline.

With the series hurtling to a close, and Yellowstone season 6 still just an unconfirmed possibility, Kayce’s story will seemingly end with his decision to enact revenge against Grant. It’s unclear what “counting coup” really means for the killer going forward, but there’s a real chance law enforcement isn’t involved with his final fate. However, John’s son hasn’t done irreparable harm to his father’s killer just yet, meaning whatever his next move is, it will likely be something that benefits his family and their safety over anything else.

Our Take On Kayce’s “Counting Coup” In Yellowstone Season 5
A Respectable Way Of Dealing With His Father’s Killer

By not outright killing the man who murdered his father, Kayce emphasizes his own morality, doing what he can to preserve himself and his family despite wanting revenge. While that could change in Yellowstone’s final two episodes, his current trajectory symbolizes how he’s approaching the situation from a mature perspective. Since this could possibly be his final storyline in the show, it remains to be seen how he’ll deal with Grant as the show reaches its conclusion.