Yellowstone follows the story of the Dutton family, who are far from ordinary. They possess power, drama, and vast land to protect, with John Dutton at the heart of it all.
The patriarch of the Dutton family, John, has three biological children and one adopted son. His eldest son had passed away in Season 1. The remaining two biological children are Kayce and Beth.
Jamie is his adopted son. Rip is also like a son to John (now officially his son-in-law). In fact, their relationship is much better than John's relationship with his own children. However, things aren’t exactly smooth sailing when it comes to Dutton family dynamics.
But who exactly is his favorite son in Yellowstone? It’s pretty evident that it’s Kayce. Though he is the troubled one, he has been there for his father. So, let’s explore why he is John Dutton’s favorite son.
Disclaimer: The article contains major spoilers for Yellowstone. It also reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone
In Yellowstone, Kayce Dutton is the youngest of John’s three children. He has a troubled past as a Navy SEAL. He also has a tense relationship with his father. Kayce is married to Monica, and together they have a son, Tate. This suggests he has already got the Dutton legacy running through his veins.
In Yellowstone Season 1, Kayce lives on the Black Rock Reservation with Monica and Tate. He was out there breaking colts and stallions for a living. Despite having friends and family around, he always felt like an outsider on the reservation.
Still, he was happy in his own little world. He was staying as far away as possible from the drama of the Dutton family. But, of course, life doesn’t stay simple for long.
When Kayce, Monica, and Tate were forced to stay on the Yellowstone Ranch to avoid retaliation from the reservation, John tried to mend the rift and build a relationship with his grandson. He even offered Monica a job at Montana State University in Bozeman.
All of this he did hope to keep the family close. Kayce, despite the tension with his dad, seemed okay with working alongside him on the ranch. But Monica had her own thoughts. She declined the university offer and went back to teaching at the reservation school.
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John Dutton’s faith in Kayce
In Season 2, Kayce stepped into his role as the future head of the Yellowstone Ranch. One of the first bumps in the road came when John gave Kayce the foreman’s cabin to live in. This made Rip to move into the bunkhouse.
This caused a little clash between Kayce and Rip. It could’ve easily become a full-blown rivalry. But here's where John’s love for Kayce was evident. Rather than letting things spiral, John stepped in. He quietly asked Rip to help Kayce learn how to lead.
This move shows a lot about John’s faith in Kayce’s potential. He didn't just hand the ranch to Kayce and hoped for the best. He understood that Kayce needed guidance, and he needed it from someone who knew the ropes, like Rip.
When Monica and Tate returned to the ranch, Kayce moved back into the main house. John’s acceptance of Kayce’s family returning to the ranch is yet another act of love. This shows that John welcomes Kayce back into the ranch and into the family fold as well.
In Season 3, Kayce’s role on the ranch and his relationship with his father evolved. After the Dutton herd faced a serious issue due to clover hay poisoning, Kayce took matters into his own hands. He set up a remote spike camp to keep a watchful eye on the cattle.
He spent much of the summer there with the ranch hands, John, and his son Tate. This might have seemed like just another part of ranch life, but it was also a reflection of Kayce’s growing responsibility and the trust his father had placed in him.
Kayce is a loyal son at the end of the day. John’s love for him is evident, especially when we consider how much he’s relied on Kayce to take on the role of his right-hand man.
Throughout Yellowstone, viewers saw John showing pride in Kayce’s resilience and leadership. They had their disagreements, but the bond between these two is deep.
It seemed like John was constantly giving Kayce a second chance, even when it felt like he didn’t always deserve it. This father-son relationship had its problems, but it has also been, comparatively, one of the most consistent parts of the series.
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