Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western saga Yellowstone is finally gearing up towards its finale. With stakes at an all-time high and the previous lead not in the picture anymore, fans have been wondering what the last five seasons have led to and it will all end in two more episodes. The latest episode saw a heartbreaking tragedy and has set the stage for the finale.

The whole world knows the behind-the-scenes drama that occurred before the final season with Kevin Costner. The series lead left the show amidst alleged contract disputes and wanted to work on personal projects. The premature exit begs the question of whether the present ending is what Sheridan intended all along or whether were there any changes.

Did Kevin Costner’s Exit From Yellowstone Derail Taylor Sheridan’s Plans?

The beginning of Yellowstone Season 5B establishes John Dutton’s death. The Dutton family patriarch and the owner of the Yellowstone Ranch had been the series lead for the past five seasons but is m*rdered off-screen and sets up the stage for the clash between Jamie and Beth. The ending is all about who wins between the two now.

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone has always been about the power struggle between two opposing ideologies and in some way, the clash between Jamie and Beth being the climactic battle makes sense. However, was it really how the creator envisioned his ‘Godfather as a Western’ to end?

The final season of Yellowstone had an unexpected snag before filming as lead actor Kevin Costner announced his intention to leave. After a lot of drama, Costner finally exited the franchise, though he reportedly left the door open should the network and Sheridan want him to return (via THR). The finale seems to be going on without him though his presence is there.

With such a huge character leaving the series, the storyline planned is bound to be affected. However, according to The Wrangler, actress Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, mentioned in an interview that the spirit of what Sheridan intended with the ending remained intact. It seems like Sheridan always hoped to include less of Costner’s John in the finale.

Theories Point To An Unlikely Candidate Succeeding John Dutton In Yellowstone

There have been several theories on how Yellowstone might end, with one potential spoiler being leaked by none other than Taylor Sheridan himself. The creator’s confirmation of a Beth and Rip-focused sixth season in development may have revealed that Jamie might be the one getting killed in the finale (via Deadline).

However, there is still the question of who will be in charge of the Yellowstone Ranch. The ranch and its land have been in the middle of the power struggles between various parties in the show. With John Dutton gone, the ranch may be going into the hands of Kayce Dutton’s son Tate. The part Native American child might be the perfect successor that the show has already set up.

The prequel miniseries 1883 chronicles the beginning days of the ranch and one of the episodes predicts that the ranch would be with the Duttons for seven generations. According to The Wrangler, the ownership of the Yellowstone Ranch will finally leave the hands of the Duttons and see Tate of the Broken Rock Reservation get it back.

The future of Yellowstone is a bit uncertain at the moment with a potential season 6 being eyed with Beth and Rip in focus. A sequel show titled Four Sixes focusing on the eponymous ranch has also been in development and so has a spinoff show named The Madison. There have been no updates on any of these shows.