The Dutton family's secrets in the series Yellowstone involve a "Train Station" for disposing of bodies, Jamie's coerced sterilization of Beth, Jamie killing reporter Sarah Nguyen (covered up as an accident), and numerous hidden crimes & betrayals, including the complex, often brutal, lengths they go to protect the ranch, with each family member holding their own dark truths.
Beth (Kelly Reilly) revealed in Season 3 Episode 5, “Cowboys and Dreamers,” that Jamie (Wes Bentley) committed an appalling act of betrayal when she was pregnant with Rip's (Cole Hauser) child as a teenager. She went to her big brother for help to get an abortion, and he repaid her trust with a forced sterilization.
Upon arrival Jamie was informed that all women seeking abortions were required to be sterilized in the process. Jamie kept this information from Beth until after the procedure and made her believe it was beyond her control. Jamie and Beth kept this to themselves until it was revealed to John almost twenty years later.
John Dutton III
He's the eventual governor of Montana and a father of four: Lee, Beth, Kayce, and (the adopted) Jamie. His wife, Evelyn, died in a horseback-riding accident. He was the patriarch of the Dutton ranch until his tragic death in Yellowstone season 5.
Dutton family and Yellowstone ranch never existed. It was created for series but based on Chief Joseph Ranch.
"Perhaps Rip Wheeler's passionate love for Beth Dutton is not just a product of the script – it is also a reflection of the sincere love that Cole Hauser, who plays Rip, has for his real-life wife, Cynthia Daniel.
The episode titled “Cowboys and Dreamers” features a flashback, featuring a teenage Beth who was pregnant with Rip Wheeler's child. However, she is aware that keeping the baby would turn out to be dangerous. This is because if her father John Dutton learns about it, he would not spare Rip or accept the baby.
What did Beth whisper to the casket? The Dutton family finally has a service for John, where Beth once again promises to avenge her dad. After laying a white rose on his casket, Beth leans down and whispers, "I will avenge you," then leaves the service.
Actor Kevin Costner got into a physical altercation on set during the filming of the hit cowboy drama Yellowstone. The altercation resulted in a temporary pause in filming of the series, shocking fellow castmates. The fight began between Costner and co-star Wes Bentley, who plays Costner's son in the series.
Beath wears dresses when she's around Ri[p], the love of her life, which works great because it softens her character to a certain degree.
Beth's mom wanted to toughen her up. So she could succeed in a man's world. In season one episode seven, when Beth 'becomes a woman' her mother says “I have to turn you into the man most men will never be … You're gonna hate it, sweetheart.”
Beth Dutton: BPD with ASPD traits
Her father ensured that any remnants of softness in her were burned away, leaving her with BPD-level emotional volatility but ASPD-level detachment when necessary.
This is the root cause of Beth Dutton's hatred toward her brother, and it dates back to their teenage years. It all started after she got pregnant and asked Jamie to help her get an abortion, so he took her to a free clinic outside of town and had her sterilized without her consent.
Jamie was adopted by John III and Evelyn after his biological father, Garrett Randall, killed his mother, Phyllis. He later reconnects with his biological father, causing a tense relationship with John III. Jamie holds the seat of Montana attorney general and works with his adoptive father, who becomes governor.
Jamie eventually claims the upper hand against his sister and chokes her until Rip (Cole Hauser) arrives and helps her finish the job. As Rip holds him back, Beth stabs him in the chest with a giant knife. They dump his body in Wyoming and claim that Beth acted in self-defense. Just like that, no more Jamie.
After Beth and Rip began their romance as teenagers, Beth decided to make Rip jealous by going on a date with an older cowboy named Rowdy (Kai Caster).
1 Elsa Dutton
Elsa Dutton's death is doubtlessly the saddest in the Yellowstone franchise.
Jamie Dutton
Jamie (Wes Bentley) is the adopted son of John III and Evelyn. Things with Jamie are a little complicated, as he doesn't find out that John isn't his biological dad until later in his adult life.
Reilly plays Beth Dutton, the daughter of John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner.
In the first season, I assumed they were both in their mid-40s because that's how old they look and act IMO, and that's how old the actors actually are. But in season two Beth reveals that she is 34 and because of their relationship starting in their teens, we can assume Rip is around the same age.
In the final episode of Yellowstone, John Dutton's remaining two children, Beth and Kayce, sell the Yellowstone Ranch to their Broken Rock Indian Reservation neighbors for pennies on the dollar, if the tribe agrees never to sell or divide it.
I think Yellowstone over glamorizes the lifestyle, like the housing and the helicopters and all of that kind of stuff. You never see the stress that comes with the job. Most people in ag, farmers, ranchers… Most of the time they're dealing with huge amounts of debt.
John Dutton III: Land-Rich, Cash-Poor
The land, owned by seven generations of Duttons, was worth a fortune but not a moneymaker. The family constantly struggled to cover the high costs of labor, taxes, infrastructure, equipment and livestock.