Ever since Yellowstone debuted in 2018, this drama series has captivated audiences with its high-stakes drama, beautiful Montana scenery, and powerhouse performances — especially from Kevin Costner, who plays John Dutton.
Over five seasons, the show has delivered a balanced blend of Western grit, family betrayal, and political maneuvering, giving way to countless unforgettable moments. Here are the top 10 times Yellowstone reigned supreme as the most gripping drama on television.
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1. The Death of Lee
Paramount
Lee Dutton's death in the show's powerful 2018 premiere set the stage for the entire series, sparking the Dutton family's ongoing battles over land, loyalty, and legacy.
As the eldest son, Lee was poised to inherit the ranch, but his life was cut short after he was killed by Robert Long, Monica's brother.
2. Beth & Jamie's Hatred Holding Them Together
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Beth and Jamie, who were sworn enemies, shared a twisted yet oddly tender moment in Season 1 Episode 5. During a tense car ride, Beth accuses Jamie of never truly experiencing loss and then takes things to a disturbing level by threatening to shoot herself.
Jamie assumed she was bluffing until Beth actually pulled the trigger. Spoiler alert: she missed and was left in tears. At that point, Jamie told her, "If hating me keeps you from hating yourself, I'll be that for you."
3. Jamie's Banned From The Ranch
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John's frustration with Jamie reaches its breaking point during the Season 1 finale, and when Jamie refuses to back out of the Attorney General race, John lashes out (literally).
He punches Jamie in the face and forbids him from Yellowstone until he learns to prioritize the family over his own ambitions.
4. Kayce's War Revelation
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Viewers got a heartbreaking glimpse into Kayce's past as a Navy SEAL in Season 2, Episode 5. While talking to John, he recalls a devastating moment from his time in Pakistan.
A warlord used his own wife and child as human shields while opening fire on Kayce's team. Kayce was faced with an impossible decision and chose to eliminate the threat to protect his men. In other words, taking out the whole family.
"Soldiers don't tell war stories anymore, Dad, because war stories these days, it's just about trying to live through them," Kayce told John.
5. When Rip Saved Beth
Paramount
During Season 2, Episode 7, Beth found herself in one of the most harrowing moments of the series when Malcolm Bech's men invaded her office. They murdered her assistant and savagely beat her.
Yet, just when all seemed lost, Rip stormed in, smashed through a glass divider, and took down the attackers. Amid the chaos, Beth was obviously shaken, and in that raw moment, Rip looked at her and claimed he loved her.
6. The Season 3 Finale
Paramount
The final episode of Season 3 was not one for the faint-hearted. "Yellowstone" fans watched as Beth's office was blown apart, Kayce found himself caught in a deadly shootout, and John was gunned down while trying to help a stranded woman on the side of the road.
Thankfully, they all survived, but viewers spent an agonizing year wondering if the family would make it out alive.
7. Mutual Respect Bridging Different Backgrounds
Paramount
In a poignant Season 4, Episode 1 moment, a Native American man arrives on James Dutton's land to bury his father, and the encounter between James and the Indigenous visitors is sorrowful and mutually respectful.
Despite their different backgrounds, there's an unspoken understanding between them, highlighting deep historical ties between the land's original inhabitants and those who later claimed it.
8. Beth, Monica, And The Boutique
Paramount
Fans watched Monica and Beth have an unexpected bonding moment during Season 2, Episode 9. Monica was racially profiled by a boutique saleswoman and falsely accused of theft. This prompted the police to search her, and Beth didn't hesitate to step in.
She fiercely defended Monica, her sister-in-law. This scene underscored the stark contrast between Monica's reality and the privilege other Dutton women have.
9. Jamie Commits Patricide
Paramount
Beth discovered that Jamie's biological father, Garrett Randall, was behind the attempts on the Duttons' lives during the Season 4 finale. She confronts her brother and gives him three options.
More specifically, Jamie could turn Garrett in for attempted murder, let Rip handle it, or kill Randall personally. Jamie opts to kill his father.
10. Monica Loses Her Baby
Paramount
Finally, Season 5 began with a devastating loss. Pregnant Monica was at home preparing to give birth while Kayce was away for work. He sent an ambulance for her, but she rushed to the hospital with Tate by her side.
As her contractions intensified, Monica struggled to keep control of her car, and she wound up getting into a violent crash. She tragically lost her baby, a son they had named John.
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