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Major spoilers for Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 9, “Desire Is All You Need.” John Dutton is dead when Season 5 Part 2 begins. The scene is first presented as a suicide, but a later flashback reveals that Sarah Atwood arranged his murder and had it staged to look like suicide. Kevin Costner does not appear in the episode; he had announced he would not return for the second half of the season.
What happened to John Dutton?
The Season 5 Part 2 premiere opens with Beth arriving at the governor’s mansion and Kayce discovering blood and a gun. The scene initially points to suicide. Beth suspects Jamie, while Jamie appears grief-stricken and unaware that Sarah has moved ahead with the plan.
A flashback changes the meaning of what viewers have seen: Sarah meets with a hitman, and later tells Jamie the plan has been carried out. The episode establishes that Sarah arranged John’s killing and the staging of his death as a suicide. ABC News’ contemporary account describes the murder reveal and the earlier discussion of the plan; ABC News recaps the reveal, while TVLine’s Episode 9 recap follows the episode’s sequence.
Did Jamie know Sarah would have John killed?
The episode portrays Jamie as shocked when Sarah tells him she followed through. He and Sarah had discussed the idea, but the recaps describe him as not knowing she had acted. The distinction matters: his prior conversation with Sarah is not the same as the episode showing him aware of the murder beforehand.
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Why wasn’t Kevin Costner in the premiere?
Costner had announced in June 2024 that he would not return for Season 5 Part 2. ABC News quoted him saying, “I just want to let you know that I won’t be returning.” John’s death is the story’s way of addressing the character’s absence; the premiere does not include Costner.
In a SiriusXM interview reported by TV Insider on November 11, 2024, Costner said he had not watched the episode and had heard that John died by suicide: “I didn’t see it. I heard it’s a suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it.” That comment reflected what he understood at the time, not the episode’s complete reveal that Sarah arranged a murder staged as suicide. TV Insider reports Costner’s interview and account of his departure.
Rank #2
- Genre: Drama
- Number of Discs: 4
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Rating: NR
- Movie Title: Yellowstone: Season Five Part 1
Did Kevin Costner quit Yellowstone?
Costner rejected that description, telling TV Insider, “I didn’t quit the show, OK?” The outlet’s account discusses scheduling conflicts and contractual conversations involving Yellowstone and his Horizon films. Those details are Costner’s account of the dispute; they do not by themselves settle responsibility for the production breakdown.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch the episode?
Peacock’s verified channel description for a Season 5 clip states that Yellowstone is available to stream on Peacock in the United States. That is a U.S.-specific availability statement, not a guarantee that the show is currently in every regional catalog. Check the service in your location for current access.
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Rank #4
![Yellowstone (2018–2024) : The complete Series (53 Episodes / 5 Seasons) - [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61oWOTYRQvL._SL160_.jpg)
- Region 1/A Blu-ray
- 1080pHD
- Dolbydigital
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