Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Landman) is no stranger to shocking television deaths, and Dutton Ranch continued that tradition with dramatic season one finale. According to Deadline, the Paramount+ series wrapped up its first season with gunfights, cartel activity, and a major twist.
At the heart of the finale is the Jackson family, led by Beulah Jackson, played by Annette Bening (American Beauty, Nyad), whose decision about the future of her ranch sets off a deadly chain of events.
Earlier in the episode, Beulah names Rob-Will Jackson, played by Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad, Divergent), as her successor instead of his half-brother Joaquin Jackson Reyes, played by Juan Pablo Raba (Narcos, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). That decision catches the attention of cartel leader Mariano Reyes, played by Raoul Max Trujillo (Mayans M.C., Blue Beetle), who is revealed to be Joaquin’s father.
Deadline explains that Mariano has a complicated history with Beulah dating back years. After returning to Texas, he orders Joaquin to kill his own brother.
The finale appears to show Joaquin carrying out that order by confronting Rob-Will at his home and shooting him, though the episode leaves just enough uncertainty for viewers to question what really happened. The emotional weight of the scene is heightened by Rob-Will’s final conversation with his daughter, played by Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs).
The finale arrives just days after another major development for the series. mxdwn recently reported that Dutton Ranch had named Benjamin Cavell (SEAL Team, Justified) as its new showrunner for season two following Chad Feehan’s (Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Ray Donovan) departure.
The explosive finale now gives Cavell plenty of storylines to build on as the series heads into its second season.
Despite the shocking finale, Dutton Ranch has already secured a second season. Deadline also notes that Courtney has several projects ahead, including Blood on the Promontory, Netflix’s Protecting Jared, The Very Best People, and Callback.
With its first season ending on one of its biggest twists yet, Dutton Ranch has left plenty of questions for season two, particularly surrounding the fate of Rob-Will and what comes next for the Jackson family.