John Dutton returns and another murder

Spoiler alert: We’re discussing details of Sunday’s explosive “Yellowstone” episode.

Hollywood star Kevin Costner should never have bitten the hand that shaped his beloved “Yellowstone” character, and that point is vividly illustrated in Sunday’s episode.

Fans of America’s No. 1 show are well aware of the heated battles between Costner, who has played lead character John Dutton in the neo-Western series since its 2018 premiere, and creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan. The semi-public banter seemingly ended when Costner officially announced in June that he would not be returning for what appeared to be the final “Yellowstone” episodes.

Sheridan unceremoniously killed Dutton in the opening moments of the second half of season five, which premiered November 10, in an inglorious, bloody bathroom gunshot death that appeared to be a suicide. Costner’s stunt double played the dead Dutton, but the audience was spared any truly bloody images. The farewell could have been worse. Still, Dutton’s death and Costner’s reaction to it went viral, even though the star insisted he hadn’t seen the episode. It seemed like we could continue with “Yellowstone.”

Breakdown:‘Yellowstone’ director explains why John Dutton’s ‘heartbreaking’ death had to be shown

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Well, until Sunday’s episode, in which Dutton’s stiff and bruised body is thoroughly examined, turned around and examined some more by the coroner, almost like a Showtime version of “CSI: Montana.”

The sideshow isn’t just another shot at Costner, who has no control over his character’s ending. The scene at the morgue shows the pressure surrounding the investigation into Governor Dutton’s death. Here’s what happened in a rocking episode:

How did John Dutton die? Episode 11 shows flashbacks of the takedown

“Yellowstone” transforms into an entirely new show in this episode, with the Duttons becoming actors in a part crime, part Tom Clancy thriller. Initially (and improbably), only loyal Dutton offspring Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) suspect that the controversial governor and ranch owner may have been murdered. The siblings also know this because both had visions at the moment of death, although Beth’s visions may have been medically enhanced by taking Adderalls during a nighttime drive home.

Governor Dutton’s death is fully revealed in a flashback. Three professionals wearing balaclavas grab the sleeping governor, who has no chance. He is dragged, carried and drugged in the bathroom; A gun is placed in his hand and held to his head. It’s a tense scene. Dutton conveniently doesn’t even say a word since Costner wasn’t available to film the death scene.

Livestock Commissioner Kayce Dutton rides the herd during the investigation

Sheridan continues to sensationalize Kayce’s role as commissioner of the Montana Livestock Association. The loyal son shows off his MLA badge and influence in the coroner’s office. But he’s relying mostly on his OG contacts and his clear persistence to demand a reconsideration of the original suicide decision. Dr. Everly (Vinessa Shaw), the medical examiner, agrees to take another look at the governor. Kayce insists on coming and watching.

At the morgue, Afghanistan war veteran Kayce explains his theory about how the murder occurred. He wins the day. It is now quite likely Murder! Case reopened. Give the red-hot inspector and Dr. Everly immediately her own CBS spinoff “Yellowstone” for coroner!

Police announce a murder investigation involving the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Kayce throws Jamie Dutton over the Attorney General’s desk

Kayce and Beth know the whole thing: Her adopted brother, Attorney General Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), somehow worked with his lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) to kill the governor after he blocked a multi-billion-dollar land deal.

Jamie had mentioned something to Sarah in bed about “going on the offensive,” and she went along with it. Sarah hired the mysterious assassins to keep Jamie’s hands clean. Dutton’s death puts the major development deal back on track and is sure to ruin Yellowstone Ranch and Paradise Valley. Jamie is prepared to benefit greatly, but keeps losing his composure due to setbacks like the murder investigation. If there’s an acting award for prolonged ugly crying, Bentley has it locked down.

Beth blew Jamie away last week. On Sunday’s episode it’s Kayce’s turn. He storms into the attorney general’s office, grabs his brother by the lapels and throws him over his desk, turning off the phone as Jamie slams into his leather chair and falls to the floor. The punishment stops here. Beth has made it clear that she wants to kill Jamie out of revenge. So Jamie’s inevitable death will have to wait.

Sarah Atwood pays the ultimate price for messing with the Duttons

Sarah is a smooth operator. But she too is understandably unsettled by the sudden investigation, the Dutton family’s persistence and the secret murder organization’s unwillingness to answer her calls. Sarah even buys a burner phone from a mall store and hilariously storms off before showing the required ID. So Sarah.

But she prevents Jamie from completely freaking out during a phone conversation while stopped at a traffic light (one of the few traffic lights she obeys). “Trust me,” she tells him.

The light is still red as a seemingly perky, clueless couple pulls up alongside it in a dilapidated minivan, looking for directions. (By the way, no one really asks for directions anymore.) Sarah just manages to growl that she has no idea when the fake husband pulls out a gun and shoots her. They are corporate killers who are eliminating their only loose ends.

Poor Jamie is still on the phone. There is no script for this reality – a friend who hired an assassin is killed by assassins while the Attorney General is talking to her! He calls 911 and turns on the screaming fireworks.

We’ll have to find out next week how Jamie tries to talk his way out of this.

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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