The 10 Worst Things Yellowstone’s Main Characters Have Ever Done
As Yellowstone fans gear up for new spin-offs, it’s hard to forget the chaos, cruelty, and moral compromises that defined the original series. For five intense seasons, Taylor Sheridan’s modern Western gave us heroes who weren’t really heroes at all — just powerful, broken people doing terrible things in the name of family, land, and legacy.
Here’s a look back at the 10 worst things Yellowstone’s main characters have done, proving that even on the Dutton Ranch, justice and morality rarely ride together.
10. Monica Hides the Truth About Tate’s Struggles
Though often the moral compass of the series, Monica once withheld crucial information about her son Tate’s trauma after his kidnapping. Her decision to keep him away from the ranch seemed protective, but it created deep divisions within the family and pushed Kayce further into darkness.
9. Carter Steals from Beth
Young Carter may be a fan favorite, but even he had a dark moment when he stole from Beth and lied about it. It was a heartbreaking betrayal for someone who’d fought so hard to earn her trust — and a reminder that even the next generation of the Dutton family isn’t immune to temptation.
8. Kayce Kills His Brother-In-Law
Kayce Dutton’s trigger finger has ended more than a few lives, but the murder of his brother-in-law Robert Long in the series premiere set the tone for everything that followed. It was the first sign that Kayce’s moral compass would forever be blurred by family loyalty.
7. Beth’s Corporate Sabotage
Beth Dutton has always been ruthless in business, but her destruction of rival companies — and entire careers — through manipulation and blackmail went beyond ambition. Her scorched-earth tactics proved she would burn anyone to protect the Dutton name, no matter the collateral damage.
6. Jamie’s Betrayal of His Family
When Jamie Dutton exposed his father John’s land dealings to a journalist, he didn’t just betray his family — he nearly brought down the entire ranch. His guilt and cowardice afterward only deepened his downfall, setting the stage for his later, even darker choices.
5. John Dutton’s “Train Station” Executions
John Dutton may see himself as a protector, but his secret practice of sending enemies to the infamous “train station” — a cliff where threats are permanently disposed of — is pure frontier justice. Every life lost there adds another layer of blood to the Dutton legacy.
4. Jamie Kills His Biological Father
Jamie’s most unforgivable act came when he murdered his birth father Garrett Randall. Though Garrett had plotted against the Duttons, the killing was cold, calculated, and self-serving — a desperate move to save himself rather than a righteous act of protection.
3. Rip’s Merciless Killings
Rip Wheeler is loyal to a fault, but his devotion to John often makes him the Duttons’ weapon of choice. From beating rivals to death to disposing of enemies without question, Rip’s brutal efficiency has made him both beloved and terrifying.
2. Beth’s Attack on Jamie
In one of the most shocking confrontations of the series, Beth emotionally and physically cornered Jamie, threatening his life and future. Their long-simmering feud turned venomous, pushing both siblings to the brink of ruin.
1. John Dutton’s Ruthless Land War
At the heart of Yellowstone lies John’s unrelenting fight to keep his ranch — no matter the cost. His willingness to lie, kill, and manipulate politicians for land preservation has destroyed countless lives. For all his talk of family and legacy, John’s empire is built on blood and broken promises.
Why We Still Can’t Look Away
Every major character on Yellowstone has crossed moral lines in pursuit of survival. It’s this gray morality — love intertwined with violence, loyalty bound by fear — that made the series so gripping. As the saga continues in spin-offs like The Dutton Ranch, the question remains: how much darker can the Dutton legacy get?