As the series finally comes to an end after six years, the momentum of Yellowstone Season 5 has sparked a lot of discussion among fans as the showrunners are ultimately killed off in the story. However, one of the most shocking deaths in the final episode was that of main character John Dutton. An atmosphere of division has developed within the fan community, with some believing the character is better off dead, while others believe he is finally starting to show redeeming qualities.
Nevertheless, John Dutton’s overall portrayal was a true villain. from john duttons clothes For that attitude, he has symbolized control, manipulation, and violence. At the same time, some may argue that he is an anti-hero or a patriarchal father who wants to protect his family. Throughout the series, the man himself represents a narcissistic evil who believes in violence in the delusional belief that his actions are acts of justice. So today we’re going to discuss the 5 main reasons why John Dutton was the real villain in Yellowstone.
Reason 1: He uses power to control, not protect.
Starting right away in the first episode, John’s portrayal shows him influencing law enforcement and local politics to sway outcomes in favor of the ranch. However, he promised to protect the Dutton family’s legacy. Throughout the series, he acts above the law through control and violence.
Reason #2: They sacrifice their children for the ranch.
According to Simpler, John is the kind of guy who would sell his kids for the ranch (not exactly a protective father). For example, in episodes such as “Long Black Train” and “Half the Money,” he imposes his choices on his children, Beth, Jamie, and Casey, forcing them into roles they did not choose, while mentally bullying and manipulating them into passing on their trauma as an obligation rather than healing it.
Reason #3: He justifies violence as a tradition.
Crimes such as murder and dismantling enemies are commonplace for John, who craves violence and believes it is the only negotiable language that will work against his enemies and rivals. His violent habits became a tradition, an excuse to avoid moral responsibility, which inflated his narcissistic ego.
Reason #4: He opposes progress at all costs.
As an opponent of change, John blocks development plans without regard for collateral damage. While he believes that modernization is not inevitable but corrupt, he will use it as an expendable resource to sacrifice or eliminate workers, politicians, and communities when it threatens the preservation of the land.
Reason #5: He considers himself a hero – even when he’s not.
John’s character, a narcissist and sociopath, has the typical villain trait of not taking responsibility and thinking about justice. Throughout the series, he rarely admits to his wrongdoings unless it serves his strategy. He believes that moral authority comes from heritage, not ethics, and sees himself as the last line of defense against chaos.
Why viewers still support John Dutton
Despite his evil nature, John shows occasional redeeming qualities in the story. This makes John not only a champion of the dying lifestyle, but also reasonable compared to many of his antagonists. Kevin Costner’s top-notch performance humanizes John’s character, adding empathy to his flawed and domineering personality by mirroring his anti-heroism.
What Yellowstone Really Says About Power
Ultimately, the moral of Yellowstone is that power sustained through fear will eventually consume itself. John Dutton perfectly reflects this, representing the old authority while rejecting evolution. He does it to protect his ranch, even if it costs lives. The question arises: Is preservation worth destruction?
conclusion
John Dutton is the ideal representation of a villain. His actions and obsession to protect the Dutton Ranch show him as someone who chooses to become a monster without thinking and without question, regardless of the consequences. Even his Yellowstone jacket subtly represents his dominant personality.
He may be the protagonist of Yellowstone with some redemptive and heroic qualities that show empathy and justice, but his overall control, manipulation, and acts of violence paint him as a villain who represents danger.
Source: The Western Blog – www.thewesternoutfitters.com
