“Yellowstone” Season 5 is now part of television’s legacy, thanks to a gripping finale that involved John Dutton’s funeral, a sale of the ranch, and the shocking death of Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). But what led to this intense yet bittersweet conclusion?

Significant shifts occurred in TV’s top-rated show following the conclusion of the first part of Season 5 in January 2023. Kevin Costner, who played a central role, exited “Yellowstone” after a long-standing conflict with the show’s creator and executive producer, Taylor Sheridan. This exit dramatically altered the second half of Season 5, which premiered in November.

There are plans for Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) to appear in a future spinoff series. Here are the crucial highlights from the final six episodes that began airing on November 10.

John Dutton’s shocking murder

Sheridan wasted no time in killing off Costner’s crucial character. The opening scene reveals the Montana governor’s lifeless body just as he was set to face impeachment proceedings brought forth by his own son, Attorney General Jamie. While police suspect a suicide, Beth, his loyal daughter who arrives first on the scene, is certain her father was murdered, identifying the culprits: Jamie and his manipulative girlfriend, lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri).

Beth vows revenge against Jamie

In a tense encounter, Beth bursts into Jamie’s office, delivering three slaps to his face and demanding he maintain eye contact while asserting his innocence in their father’s death. Unable to do so, she threatens darkly, “Seeing me will be the last thing you ever do alive.”

Kayce Dutton demands an investigation into John Dutton’s death

Kayce ramps up pressure on authorities to investigate their father’s murder. He insists the coroner reevaluate the deceased governor’s body, and his expertise as a former Navy SEAL leads him to identify it as a professional assassination, leading police to reverse their initial suicide ruling and launch an investigation. With Jamie’s efforts to develop land alongside Atwood’s firm, Market Equities, now at risk, he begins to panic as Atwood, who had been the only connection to the killers, is shot dead in her vehicle while on the phone with him.

Suspicions arise against Jamie, while Colby faces a tragic fate

Jamie attempts to mislead the police, but his tactics only raise more suspicion regarding his connection to Atwood. As a result, he becomes the top suspect and finds himself in Beth’s crosshairs, as she tells Kayce, “I’ll deal with Jamie.”

At the ranch, tragedy strikes when fan-favorite Colby (Denim Richards) dies trying to save Carter (Finn Little) from a rogue horse. In a heroic act, Colby rushes into the stall to distract the aggressive horse, but the animal delivers a fatal kick to his head, prompting Carter to shoot the horse to prevent further harm.

Jamie devises a survival strategy, while Kayce pursues ranch opportunities

Jamie’s former partner Christina (Katherine Cunningham) advises him to aggressively defend himself against the mounting threats, suggesting he make a powerful speech to publicly sever ties with Atwood and deny any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, at the ranch, Kayce proposes to Beth the idea of selling the financially-struggling Yellowstone for a significantly reduced price.

But who actually decides its value?

The ranch is sold, Jamie meets his end, and John Dutton is laid to rest

In a series finale brimming with resolution, “Yellowstone” addresses all outstanding storylines. John Dutton is finally interred next to his late wife and forebears in the ranch’s cemetery. Beth’s final words directed at the coffin express her vow to seek revenge for his demise. Immediately fulfilling her promise, Beth heads to Jamie’s house and confronts her brother just hours after he delivered a powerful speech as the beleaguered attorney general. With Rip restraining Jamie, Beth plunges a knife into his chest. She exacts her revenge, locking eyes with him in a moment that signifies finality.

“Look at me,” Beth tells the wounded Jamie. “I will be the last thing you ever see.”

Kayce puts his clever land plan into action, selling the vast (fictional) ranch in Montana at a price of $1.25 per acre to the Native Americans from whom it was originally taken.

Chairman Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock pledges to preserve the land from any development and ensures that the Dutton family graves will remain untouched.

“Your ancestors lie in rest on that land, as do mine. It is sacred, and we will respect it,” Rainwater asserts. “Thus, your family will always have a home here.”

Rip and Beth relocate to a new ranch in Wyoming, which appears to be an ideal setting for a potential spinoff. The couple decides to ride off into the sunset towards their new local bar that features a hitching post.