Yellowstone season 5, part 2 proves that the next generation of Duttons is making up for John Dutton III’s shortcomings as a father. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III risked everything to protect his family’s legacy, including ensuring his kids would help protect it. John urges Jamie to become a lawyer, and he expects Kayce (Luke Grimes) to take over as Livestock Commissioner and run the ranch when his youngest son returns. John even told Beth (Kelly Reilly) what was what when he was alive, her father being the only person Beth would take orders from.

As Yellowstone season 5 reveals John Dutton’s divisive fate, the next generation of the Dutton family tree — Beth and Kayce — step into their father’s shoes as the series leads, including running the ranch. The siblings are entrenched in a battle for the land, pitted against their adopted brother, Wes Bentley’s Jamie. As the sixth generation of Duttons position themselves where many of their ancestors have been before, at the helm of their family’s ranch, the returning Yellowstone season 5 characters are doing things differently.

Kayce & Beth Are Better Parents Than John Was To Them In Yellowstone
John Dutton III Put The Ranch First

Beth and Kayce are better parents to their children than John Dutton was to them, and it will set up the next generation of Dutton ranchers to take over successfully. If the family keeps the ranch, Tate (Brecken Merrill) will inherit the largest ranch in Montana. Still, the seventh-generation Dutton is hesitant to take over, and Kayce makes it clear in Yellowstone season 5, episode 10, that he will support his son’s decision regardless. Kayce tells Tate his primary concern is that his son does what he loves, and the father notes that he never had a fulfilling job.

Kayce has said from the very beginning that if he was going to run the ranch, he wanted to do things differently, and he has.

The moment shows how Kayce is evolving from his father’s mistakes, allowing his son to speak for his own future. Episode 10 leaves Tate’s decision ambiguous, but if he decides to run the Yellowstone, the proud father can rest assured that it’s what his son wants. Kayce has said from the very beginning that if he was going to run the ranch, he wanted to do things differently, and he has. John’s youngest son is moving forward into the present with intention, especially after Kayce’s visions in Yellowstone season 4 gave him insight into his family’s future.

Beth and Rip (Cole Hauser) also set Carter (Finn Little) up for success despite their growing pains while becoming a family. Rip comforts Carter in “The Apocalypse of Change,” telling him that he’ll always have a home at the ranch. While Carter has fewer options than Tate as he grows into an adult, he has the support of his adoptive family.

Carter & Tate Are The Perfect Inheritors Of The Dutton Ranch
Carter And Tate Are The Seventh Generation Of Dutton Ranchers

Especially with the support of their parents, Tate and Carter are the perfect duo to inherit the ranch. Owning the Yellowstone ranch means protecting it — historically, the Duttons have needed more than one person to accomplish that. For now, Rip, Beth, and Kayce can work together to manage the ranch, but they’re also setting up its future by supporting the next generation to take over. Tate and Carter can continue to get closer in Yellowstone season 5 as they grieve the loss of their grandfather, and they can bond over their shared desire to preserve the Dutton family legacy.