Tate Dutton is played by Brecken Merrill in one of the most-watched TV shows, Yellowstone. He is the son of Kayce and Monica Dutton; he is also the grandson of the family head, John Dutton.
Tate has been in some pretty dicey situations in recent seasons, which has raised concerns among viewers. However, that's not to say that Tate died in the Yellowstone series; in fact, as seen in the latest episodes released, he is alive and still playing a key role in the family's evolving drama.
Tate's near-death experiences in Yellowstone
Since the beginning, Tate's life has been at great risk; otherwise, it would be a complete mess due to his involvement in the outrageous affairs of the Dutton family. In his Season 1, Tate survives an incident almost drowning after being thrown into a roaring river while fishing with his grandfather, John Dutton.
Fortunately, John comes in time, and Tate is heard escaping with minor injuries.
Even more horrifying is the fact that a militia group specifically targeting the Duttons has abducted him. The kidnapping sends ripples through the family, triggering desperate search efforts throughout the country.
Following a traumatic captivity, he was eventually freed by his father, Kayce, and ranch hands who were dedicated to the family. This scar is permanently imprinted on the boy, indicating the connections to the Duttons and the ready threats all around.
The car accident and its aftermath in Yellowstone
In Season 5, Tate finds himself in yet another situation where his life is threatened as his mother, Monica, goes into premature labor. While driving her to the hospital, Monica loses control of the car and crashes it badly.
Tate survives the accident with hardly any injuries and is able to keep his mother conscious until help arrives. Unfortunately, the baby, whom they had decided to name John, dies shortly after birth because of the injuries sustained by Monica during the accident.
The event shakes Tate, as he loses out on a sibling and sees his parents grieving together. Tate finds peace in the love and support of his family during this difficult time, as they come together to mourn the loss of baby John. Despite the tragedy, they find strength in each other and continue to move forward, cherishing the memories they have.
Tate Dutton is the personification of innocence and vulnerability amidst the chaos of the Dutton family's conflicts. Despite all of the life-threatening situations, he survives—which is typical of the Duttons, who will protect their own.
As the story progressed, it became clear that Tate's experiences in Yellowstone have shaped the character that the audience understands, bringing back memories or emotions of the damage the family's extremely unstable way of life is causing to its youngest member.