In this rugged terrain of the Yellowstone universe, where family feuds burn hotter than the midday sun in Montana, can there be a voice of reason that celebrates the calm after the storm? As the intricate drama unfolds in this complicated Dutton family, an intriguing dynamic keeps the fans optimistic: Kayce’s unflagging love for Jamie, despite the odds.
Having said that, Luke Grimes’ 2022 THR interview seems to have left some hints about an upcoming explosive showdown, especially with the final few episodes approaching.
Kayce Dutton, portrayed by Grimes, not only embodies the quintessential prodigal son of Yellowstone Ranch but also stands as a sentinel of brotherhood. As the gales of Beth’s vengeance reach fever pitch, Kayce might be the only one capable of taming the furies, potentially serving as the much-needed buffer against the now-stale Beth-Jamie rivalry.
Yellowstone: Could Luke Grimes Transform the Beth-Jamie Rivalry into a Compelling Finale?
The relationship between Jamie (Wes Bentley) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) is unquestionably one of the most enduring and contentious ones in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone.
From the very beginning, it has been made abundantly clear that Beth harbors a deep-seated hatred towards her adoptive brother Jamie, stemming from his involvement in her sterilization as a teenager. Their rivalry has only intensified over the years, culminating in a toxic dynamic that has played out in every scene they share.
However, as the show approaches its final season, it seems that another character may step into the fray to shake things up. Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton, the loyal and protective son of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), has always been the one person who has loved Jamie unconditionally as a brother.
In a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Grimes hinted that Kayce’s vision quest could be a sign that change is on the horizon and that he may be the one to step in and defend Jamie when Beth goes too far in her quest for revenge. To quote Grimes:
I just feel like when the entire audience discovered it, it wasn’t something that he was totally in the dark about. And it’s funny you ask because I could be completely wrong about that, but the line always felt to me like, ‘I know, but it doesn’t change the fact that we grew up together. I love you and you love me. This is stronger than biological stuff‘.
Grimes’ interpretation of Kayce’s relationship with Jamie as transcending “biological” ties adds a layer of complexity to the already tangled web of emotions between the characters. His support for Jamie, despite their complicated past, sets the stage for a potentially game-changing turn of events in the final season of Yellowstone.
Is It Over? Wes Bentley’s Take on Beth & Jamie’s Broken Relationship in Yellowstone
In the dramatic conclusion of season 4, it became clear that the rift between Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) and his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly) was a chasm too wide to bridge. Now, with season 5 on the horizon, the animosity between them shows no signs of abating.
Wes Bentley, 45, speaking to PEOPLE, reflected on the evolution of Jamie’s character and his tumultuous relationship with Beth:
I think as Jamie, I thought for a long time that [reconciliation] might happen. But this past season, when she forced him to kill and she threatened his world, I think in that moment he decided, ‘OK, she doesn’t love me. They don’t love me. I don’t love them. I hate them too. And how am I gonna deal with this?’
As a teenager, Beth became pregnant with Rip’s (Cole Hauser) child and turned to Jamie for help. The latter took her to a Native American abortion clinic, where the procedure required sterilization—a detail he withheld from Beth. Bentley confessed that he was taken aback by this revelation in the script:
I was surprised. I kind of knew something like that, but I didn’t know it was that in particular until I read it, and I was as heartbroken as everyone else.
Hence, as fans eagerly await the conclusion of Yellowstone, it seems that Luke Grimes’ character may just be the perfect antidote to the stale Beth-Jamie rivalry that has dominated the show for so long.
Yellowstone Season 5’s second part will be available on November 10, 2024.
Stream Yellowstone on Paramount+.
