Only 1 Character Broke Yellowstone’s Worst Dutton Trend (& Fans Completely Lost It)

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A troubling pattern has emerged within the Yellowstone universe, but one character defied it, leading to tragic consequences. The story began with Yellowstone in 2018, created by Taylor Sheridan, and continued with the prequel series 1883 and 1923. Although more spinoffs are planned, these prequels are the only ones that have been released so far.

The fifth season of Yellowstone concluded the original series, but the finale left many viewers and fans of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton feeling disappointed. The season’s second part begins with John’s unexpected death, tragically and suddenly ending his fight to protect the Dutton Ranch. While John had miraculously survived dangerous situations before, like other prominent characters on Yellowstone, this time his fate was final.

The Dutton Family Tree Explained

Before John Dutton fought to protect the ranch, many of his ancestors had already lived and worked there with his wife, Evelyn (Gretchen Mol), and their children, Lee (Dave Annabel), Beth (Kelly Reilly), and Kayce (Luke Grimes). Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel series explore the lives of earlier generations of the Dutton family, set during the Gilded Age and the 1920s.

1923 follows the Dutton family’s struggles during the Prohibition era, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton. The series also introduces rising stars Brandon Skelnar and Julia Schlaepfer, who play Spencer and Alex Dutton in a sweeping love story. Throughout the season, the family faces numerous hardships, including a major fight to protect their ranch.

Before the 1920s, James and Margaret Dutton, portrayed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, embarked on a difficult journey similar to the Oregon Trail. They settled in Paradise Valley, Montana, and started the Dutton family, becoming the first known members of the clan to live there.

John & Jacob Dutton Survive Severe Gunshot Wounds In Yellowstone & 1923

John, Jacob, and James Dutton, along with a talented supporting cast, navigate the hardships of their era. In 1923, Jacob clashes with Donald Whitfield (played by Timothy Dalton) and a disgruntled rancher. These two men team up to fight the Duttons for control of their land.

John Dutton faces powerful enemies who are determined to take his ranch. Interestingly, both he and his grandfather, Jacob Dutton, are shot and nearly killed during dangerous conflicts. In 1923, Jacob is attacked by Banner, who shoots him several times in the chest with a machine gun, leaving him close to death. This echoes a similar life-threatening situation John experiences in Yellowstone.

As a long-time fan, I remember being totally on the edge of my seat when John got shot – it looked bad. We didn’t find out he’d pull through until Season 4! But both he and Jacob are tough cookies, and they both eventually get back in the saddle, literally. That scene in 1923, Season 1, Episode 6, with Jacob riding into town? That was a powerful moment, letting us know he was truly back in the game.

Just as Jacob’s return to riding showed he was healing, John getting back on the horse—both physically and emotionally—reassures the audience he’ll be alright. Carter witnesses this recovery. In both stories, Jacob and John face seemingly impossible situations, but they both fully recover thanks to the strong support of their families, especially Beth and Cara.

James Dutton, From 1883, Dies From A Minor Gunshot Wound In Yellowstone

Despite the Dutton family’s overall success, one member faced a tragic end that cost him everything. James Dutton survived the dangers of the Oregon Trail, but ultimately fell victim to the same threat that future generations would learn to conquer. The show reveals James’s fate, marking a departure from the family’s usual resilience.

James returned home wounded after a confrontation with horse thieves on his ranch. He treated his gunshot wound at the kitchen table, much like Cara had cared for Jacob. However, James’s experience differed greatly from Jacob’s and John’s. While they had both been shot multiple times in the chest, James had only sustained a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. His previous gunshot wound, received thirty years prior, also played a role in his current condition.

Though her husband’s injuries aren’t as life-threatening as those suffered by John and Jacob, Margaret is largely helpless to properly treat him without access to modern medical care. This situation highlights the immense hardships faced by the first Duttons, who lived in a raw, undeveloped Montana territory long before the town was established.

As a long-time fan of the Dutton saga, it’s striking to me that James Dutton, unlike his descendants, never really recovered from his hardships. He faced a truly devastating setback. It really emphasizes just how much the very first Duttons suffered to build their Montana ranch, with James and Margaret’s youngest, Spencer, being the only one who seemed to live a long, relatively peaceful life, reaching the age of 80.

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2025-11-26 06:42