Yellowstone director Christina Voros has explained why showing Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) maternal side in season 5 is

important for her ongoing character development. Out of everyone on the cast of Yellowstone, Beth has always been in

survival mode, doing everything it takes to preserve herself and the people she’s closest to, like Rip (Cole Hauser).

However, season 5, episode 12 also saw her as more maternal, taking Carter (Finn Little), a young boy working on the Ranch, under her wing. This reveals a parental side of her the show hasn’t fully explored before.

Speaking with Collider, Voros explained the importance of Beth showing a maternal side to Carter in Yellowstone’s final episodes, emphasizing how they complete each other, especially after John’s (Kevin Costner) death. His presence also allows her to feel like a mother, something the director revealed Beth never thought would be possible because of all the current circumstances of her life. Check out what Voros had to say about the change in character below:

Beth is many things. She’s a warrior and she’s a tornado and she’s a loving daughter, but she’s also a stepmother in a way. There are so many people in this world who have that kind of relationship. … Beth has really become a mother to this young boy, both filling a gap in his heart and he fills a gap in hers, and their relationship is really complicated and interesting.

Beth is tough on Carter and she speaks her mind. She is in charge. Beth is in charge with Rip; Beth is in charge with everyone. But there’s a real tenderness and a wisdom that she tries to impart in Carter, and he brings out the motherly side in her that she has cut off from herself for so many years because she thought she would not have the opportunity to be one. Beth has really become a mother to this young boy, both filling a gap in his heart and he fills a gap in hers. … It’s a beautiful, complex friendship.

What Beth’s Maternal Side Means For Yellowstone’s Final Episodes
Carter Could Be Key To The Dutton Family Legacy

Beth’s maternal instincts were most prevalent when Colby (Denim Richards) died saving Carter from a bucking horse, forcing the Dutton matriarch to console him. This brought out a new side to her character, emphasizing how quickly the events of Yellowstone season 5 part 2 have changed her. Despite the tragic loss of a trusted ranch hand, she’s able to set aside her own grief to keep the boy from feeling like it was his fault. It’s a new lens on her character that indicates even more, similar developments moving forward.

As for Carter, his arrival at the Ranch signifies the next generation that Beth and Rip are fighting for after John’s tragic murder. Their efforts to preserve her familial legacy also means passing the torch, which the young ranch hand signifies thanks to his involvement in their day-to-day work. Seeing him as a son offers hope for the preservation of her family into the future, even as dramatic tension and potential issues continue cropping up for them. It also potentially sets up Yellowstone season 6, whose existence still remains unclear.

Our Take On Beth’s Maternal Side In Yellowstone Season 5
The Final Episodes Could See Major Changes To Her Character

With just two episodes left, it seems Yellowstone will be further exploring Beth’s new maternal side before the series comes to a close. While this new part of her character is being established rather late into the series, Carter still perfectly emphasizes what her and Rip are fighting for when it comes to the Ranch’s future. With plenty of moments of growth and development for her yet to come, the final episodes could further highlight the significance of her new character arc.