The Dutton prophecy is a looming force throughout the Yellowstone universe, but what exactly does it mean?
There are plenty of plot points that don’t stick the landing in Yellowstone. Each season often rolls from one idea to the next without a clear through line. (Like dinosaur bones – what was that about?)
However, one element that’s always lingered in the background of the Yellowstone timeline is the Dutton prophecy. Although it’s never mentioned by name, fans first picked up that something was afoot in the main show, and they eventually drew connections to a key moment in the Yellowstone prequel, 1883.
It then ended up playing a huge role in Yellowstone’s final season, proving that the prophecy had been integral to the fate of the Duttons and their ranch the entire time. (Warning: spoilers ahead for Yellowstone and 1883!)
What is the Dutton prophecy?
The Dutton prophecy was established in the final episode of 1883, in which James Dutton is given permission by Spotted Eagle to bury his daughter and settle his family in Yellowstone under the condition that in seven generations Spotted Eagle’s people will rise up and take it back.
James Dutton doesn’t seem to care too much about these terms and conditions, as he’s so intent on finding a resting place for his dying daughter, Elsa. “In seven generations, you can have it,” he tells Spotted Eagle, speaking for the Duttons generations to come. The deal is done, and the rest is history; the Duttons then occupy Yellowstone throughout the decades.
According to the Dutton family tree, John Dutton III’s grandson Tate would be the seventh generation of the family to own the ranch, as it’s prophesied. As such, there were plenty of fan theories surrounding the fact that the prophecy could be foretelling how the main show will end. All this was backed up by Kayce’s vision quest, which he underwent in Season 4.
Kayce’s vision quest explained
In Kayce’s vision quest in Yellowstone Season 4, he sees a variety of strange illusions, and he tells Monica that in one of them he saw two paths before him, one of which showed him “the end of us.”
One theory was that Kayce’s vision showed him the prophecy coming true. The Duttons could lose the ranch as a result of force, dirty business dealings, or mind games. By “us”, he could be referring to his entire family and their legacy — the one thing they’ve worked so hard to keep afloat.
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However, one thing Spotted Eagle would not have been able to predict was Kayce and Monica’s son, Tate. As the sole Dutton heir with Native American linage, Tate seemed to be where the paths collided: the fate of the prophecy and the endurance of the Dutton’s ownership.
If he inherited the Dutton Ranch as intended, then the prophecy would have come true on both sides. The land could have partly been returned to the Broken Rock community if Tate so wished, while still remaining under the Dutton name.
Did the prophecy come true?
Things come to a head in Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, and the prophecy came true after 141 years when Kayce elects to sell the ranch to Thomas Rainwater.
This was all part of his plan to protect the ranch and somehow see through John Dutton’s wish of keeping the land from being developed on. Selling Rainwater the ranch at $1.25 per acre, he is able to return it to the people of the Broken Rock Reservation, meaning it can be classified as protected land.
He also negotiates to keep East Camp for himself, Monica, and Tate. Rainwater takes the deal and promises to protect and preserve Yellowstone on behalf of his and the Duttons’ ancestors.
Just as promised, the land is returned to the people after seven generations.
For more, check out our guides to the Yellowstone cast, the 1923 Season 2 release date, and all the best Taylor Sheridan TV shows and movies.