3 Things You Might Have Missed in the Yellowstone Series Finale

The epic story of Yellowstone has officially come to an end—or has it? After five intense seasons, the show aired its highly anticipated final episode, which wasn’t just any finale. It was filled with emotions, shocking twists, and moments that left fans talking.

From an unlikely tribute to teases of a possible spinoff, and even hints that the story might not be done yet, this last episode was stacked with surprises. Let’s break down three major things you might’ve missed in the Yellowstone finale.

This article contains spoilers!

Yellowstone’s tribute to cowboy legend Bob Avila

If you watched the finale closely, you saw a heartfelt tribute to someone special: Bob Avila. At the very start of the episode, there was a simple message on the screen that read, “This episode is dedicated to Bob Avila. See you down the dusty trail, Amigo.”

But who was Bob Avila? He wasn’t a character on the show, but he was a real-life cowboy legend. According to Rodeo, Avila was a horse trainer, a two-time “World’s Greatest Horseman” champion, and a member of the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame.

He passed away on November 9, 2023, at the age of 72, leaving behind an incredible legacy in the Western world. Avila even made an appearance on Yellowstone!

In Season 3, Episode 8, titled “I Killed a Man Today,” he played himself and helped John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner) pick out some new horses. It was a way for the show to showcase real-life cowboys and their culture.

The Yellowstone finale teased that it’s not the end of the show

Fans were ready to say goodbye to Yellowstone, but now there’s some confusion. Is the show actually over? Or is there more to come? When Paramount announced in May 2023 that Season 5 would be the final season, people weren’t entirely surprised.

Rumors had been swirling about tension between Kevin Costner and show creator Taylor Sheridan (per TODAY). By June 2024, Costner confirmed in an Instagram video that he wasn’t coming back to the show.

So, the idea of Yellowstone ending made sense. But the teaser for the final episode didn’t say “series finale.” Instead, it said “season finale.” Naturally, fans started freaking out. Could this mean the show isn’t done after all?

Moreover, Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, mentioned in an interview with The New York Times, “We are absolutely ending this show.” However, as per Variety, she and her co-star, Cole Hauser, might be sticking around for a sixth season of Yellowstone.

Sheridan, the mastermind behind the Yellowstone universe, is known for keeping things under wraps, so who knows what’s next? For now, all we can do is wait and hope.

Yellowstone finale teases that a Beth and Rip spinoff is on the horizon

Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler are one of TV’s most iconic couples, and it looks like their story isn’t over yet. If you watched the finale carefully, you probably noticed some big hints about what could come next for these two.

In the final episode, titled Life Is a Promise, Beth showed us once again why she’s the queen of calculated chaos. She tied up loose ends in a dramatic fashion, including killing her brother, Jamie Dutton, who’s been her enemy for years.

We see the Dutton family’s ranch sold back to the Broken Rock Reservation, freeing Kayce (Luke Grimes) from his father’s legacy and giving his own family a shot at a better future. The most jaw-dropping moment? Beth (Kelly Reilly) finally takes matters into her own hands and kills her brother Jamie (Wes Bentley).

In a chilling moment, she whispers, “I will avenge you,” referring to her father John Dutton (Kevin Costner), who’s been laid to rest. Beth has always been a force of nature, and this shocking act seals her commitment to her father’s legacy.

Before the deadly act, Beth tells Rip (Cole Hauser), “The last thing I will ever say to my father was making this promise — I’m gonna keep it.” Then, she asks Rip to take Jamie to the infamous Dutton “train station” — a place where enemies disappear for good.

Though Beth is left bruised and battered after the attack, the story doesn’t stop there. The finale also teases what’s next for the characters, setting up a potential spinoff for Beth and Rip.

After the dust settles, Beth buys a new ranch for her and Rip, a peaceful getaway far from the chaos, tourists, and land developers. Looks like their journey in the Yellowstone universe is far from over.

Watch Yellowstone only on Paramount Network!