Yellowstone: Who Will Kayce Give The Ranch To?

By: Mark T. Wilson

Season 5 of Yellowstone is almost over, and we’re left waiting to hear how Kayce will save the Ranch. Beth figured out his plan, which was revealed to viewers at the end of Episode 13. He’s going to sell it to someone, but who?

My initial thought would be to Rainwater but can he be fully trusted? He and John Dutton have had their issues in the past and with John gone, what would be his motives now?

However, Rainwater does have a soft spot for Kayce. Hell, who doesn’t? Of all the characters, Kayce has been the one who has bridged the two different cultures and has done so with ease. Monica and Tate are a good reason for that, but Rainwater and Kayce have always been able to put their differences aside for the greater good.

With Rainwater dealing with the pipeline and his battles as far as his Reservation being taken over by one of his own, his best option would be to team up with Kayce and the Dalton family to keep the Reservation under his arms.

Kayce can approach Rainwater with a proposition to buy the Ranch for whatever price. But then the question comes does Kayce want the Ranch in his hands? Yes, the land did officially belong to the Tribe from the start and that’s something Rainwater has wanted back. However, we can’t sit here and say that the Daltons don’t have a stake in the land as well. There has to be a compromise. And that’s where the real recipient comes in. Rip.

Kayce can sell to Rainwater who can then turn around and sell the land to Rip. But why Rip and not Kayce?

Kayce wants to break away from the Ranch and focus on his family. From the start that’s all he’s ever wanted to do. He fulfilled his obligation but he’s always wanted more. Rip, on the other hand, is a Ranch lifer. That’s all he knows. He would die and kill for the Ranch which was all John asked for. No one is more deserving than Rip.

But there are also reports that Rip and Beth are getting their own Yellowstone spinoff show so it does make sense. Having Rainwater sell the Ranch back to Rip is perfect but it does come with drawbacks.

For starters, much like Kayce, Beth wants to wash her hands of it all. Her love for her father is what kept her intertwined with the Ranch. But now that he’s gone, she has spoken to Rip a few times about walking away. But Rip is not interested. Being a Cowboy is all he has ever known. But Beth loves her husband like she loved her father and will stand by her man no matter her trepidation.

Selling the Ranch to Rip is the same as keeping it in the family. This way, current workers can still keep their jobs. Yellowstone fans should have seen this coming with Rip and Beth moving into The Lodge. The empire is theirs. The storyline has been going in that direction since Season 4.

As much as we can ask the question if Kayce and Beth can trust Rainwater, we can also ask if Rainwater can trust Rip. This is part of the deal that Kayce will have to make clear to all parties involved. There has to be an agreement that suits both sides.

On the flip side, look at the Yellowstone story for what it is. It has always been about coming full circle. The Dutton Ranch was handed down from generation to generation. Rainwater has been fighting, much like his ancestors before him to get the land back. Well, in a sense, the storyline will continue but this time with a truce.

The Dalton Ranch will fall into the hands of the family. Rip has an adopted son in Carter the same way John kinda adopted Rip. He has his wife in Beth who has the Dalton blood and will always have allegiance to Kayce.

But another theory has been brought up that involves Tate. Beth said that Tate was the beneficiary. This makes sense differently. Tate is at the age where he can’t run the Ranch. However, having American blood mixed with Indian blood, Tate would fulfill the 7 Generation promise dating back centuries. Maybe this will ease the pain that Rainwater feels. But what does that mean for Kayce?

The idea is to sell it to knock the federal tax down. But if it’s handed to Tate, doesn’t that rule still apply? With John gone, can Tate even make these decisions? Since Tate is not of legal age, Kayce, as his father will have to be the one to make the moves. Tate wants to be a Cowboy but will Kayce allow him to take the reins even at the dying wishes of his grandfather?

This is set to be an explosive finish to Yellowstone. With one episode left, there are a ton of questions that must be answered. Who will come out with everything they ever wanted, Rainwater, Kayce, Rip, or Tate?