There’s no person more emblematic of John Dutton’s obsession with legacy than his grandson, Tate Dutton. But his status as the sole heir of Yellowstone also puts him at risk.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 will bring an end to the show, but the fictional ranch can live on, both through the upcoming Yellowstone spinoffs, and Tate himself.
In a sense, Tate is the character whose shoulders have always carried the weight of Yellowstone’s future, and it’s no small burden. Being the grandchild of John, his family name has often placed him in danger.
With so much at stake and the Dutton Ranch hanging in the balance, many might be wondering if Tate is still in the game, or if he’s suffered the same fate as many in the show. Well, here’s what you need to know.
Does Tate Dutton die in Yellowstone?
Tate Dutton, played by Brecken Merrill, hasn’t died in Yellowstone — but he’s had a number of brushes with danger over the seasons.
His connection to the Duttons has landed him in danger a number of times. Firstly, in Season 1, Tate nearly drowned after falling into a rapid river while fishing with his grandfather. John saved him, but Tate got away with a few scrapes and bruises.
In Season 2, Tate is kidnapped by a group of neo-nazis on behalf of the Beck brothers, Malcolm and Teal — two of the most scheming Yellowstone villains there ever was.
Eventually, John leads a group to go and infiltrate the gang and save Tate. Kayce finds his son in a bathtub with a shaved head, and while he’s physically okay, the kidnapping has a lasting psychological impact on him.
In Season 4, Tate is traumatized once more when he and his mom are ambushed by a home intruder. Just as the assailant is about to kill Monica, Tate shows up with a rifle and shoots him, saving his mother’s life.
And that’s far from Tate’s only brush with death. In the Season 5 premiere, Monica is heavily pregnant with her and Kayce’s second child and Tate’s brother. With just a few weeks until her due date, she starts experiencing intense cramps.
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While Kayce’s at work, she drives herself and a concerned Tate to the hospital. But since it’s night and she’s driving fast and in pain, she fails to see a buffalo in the middle of the road before it’s too late.
Although Monica and Tate survive the horrific accident, the unborn child — John Dutton IV — doesn’t make it, leaving the entire family devastated.
It’s been a troubled and treacherous road for Tate, but by the end of Season 5 Part 1, he’s still alive. And although Beth Dutton star Kelly Reilly previously suggested that the Yellowstone ending “won’t be happy,” fans aren’t expecting Tate’s story to end in tragedy.
Why is Tate Dutton so important?
Tate is John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) only biological grandson, meaning he is the sole heir to the Dutton Ranch after Beth and Kayce die.
This gives him a unique position within the family. He represents the future of the Dutton legacy, and since they are under constant threat from various external forces aiming to take their land, Tate is a target.
As the son of Monica, his maternal lineage is Native American, having been raised on the Broken Rock Reservation. A number of Yellowstone episodes depict his connection to this heritage, especially through interactions with his great-grandfather. Ultimately, this lineage is a sign that the Dutton prophecy might come true.
There’s also been a big hiccup in Yellowstone’s plan, since Kevin Costner has left the show. It’s since been confirmed that he won’t be appearing in the final episodes, which makes Tate more important than ever.
Whether Sheridan chooses to kill John off-screen or discard any mention of him at all, Tate now remains an integral player in keeping the ranch in the Dutton family. And with Kayce, Beth and Rip left to fight John’s old battles, Tate will likely begin to understand his inheritance more deeply and serve a larger purpose.
For more Yellowstone, check out our other guides on the possibility of 1883 Season 2, the Yellowstone 2024 release date, and the Yellowstone cast.