🚨🚨🚨Warning: This story contains major spoilers for the premiere episode of Season 5, Part 2 of “Yellowstone.”

After a nearly two-year hiatus, Paramount+’s riveting Western series, “Yellowstone,” eventually returns to deliver its dramatic conclusion.

The hit Paramount+ show has been captivating audiences since 2018 with the ups and downs of the Dutton family, owners of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Montana, the largest ranch in the United States.

Six years later, “Yellowstone” will air its final episodes, but without the show’s favorite land magnate, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. His last appearance on the show was during the first part of season 5, which was released in 2022.

After reports emerged of scheduling issues and drama between Costner and “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, Costner confirmed in a June Instagram video that he would not be returning to the show.

So what happens to his John Dutton character, and will Costner appear in Season 5, Part 2 of “Yellowstone”?

Read on to find out what happens in Season 5, the premiere episode of Part 2 of “Yellowstone” and how the show is writing off Costner’s character John Dutton.

What happens in the first episode of ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5, Part 2?

In the first episode, viewers find themselves in the middle of high drama as emergency services and caution tape surround John Dutton’s mansion. As Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) runs to the house with Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) not far behind her, it quickly becomes clear that something is wrong with their father.

As the siblings enter the house, viewers discover that Governor Dutton is believed to have died by suicide. Beth immediately accuses Jamie (Wes Bentley) of killing their father. While this opener is a shocking way to start the second half of Season 5, the episode quickly transitions to another scene.

Viewers are now transported back to six weeks before Dutton’s death as they follow Beth, Kayce and their families in the days leading up to the tragedy. During the episode, time jumps back and forth between what led to John Dutton’s death and its aftermath.

In an interview with TODAY.com, Wendy Moniz, who plays Governor Lynelle Perry, said she believes the series handled John Dutton’s storyline “beautifully.”

“What I know about storytelling — because it’s edited and we only know certain parts — is brilliant, because Taylor’s (Sheridan) writing is,” she said.

She added that “the story he had from the beginning is the story he wanted to tell.”

Is Kevin Costner involved in ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5, Part 2?

Despite his character being a central figure in the episode, we never actually see Costner. When Beth and Kayce enter the gruesome scene where John Dutton allegedly shot himself, all the audience sees is a limp hand and a pool of blood.

How do they write off Kevin Costner’s character in ‘Yellowstone’?

As the first episode unfolds, viewers soon learn that John Dutton’s death was not, in fact, a suicide. Rather, it was a murder-for-hire scheme by Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who was in cahoots with Jamie Dutton. Sarah, a lawyer who has been a problem for John in previous episodes, says she and Jamie agreed on the plan, but Jamie says he wasn’t on board.

While John Dutton’s death is made clear in the first few minutes of the episode, viewers soon discover that his presence still looms large in the minds of the Dutton family.

But will we see actor Kevin Costner make one last scene? That has yet to be determined.

Is this really the end for ‘Yellowstone’?

Paramount+ confirmed that this would be the final season for the Dutton family, but fans and some of the show’s stars think there’s room for more.

When asked if this was the final season for “Yellowstone” by TODAY.com, Ian Bohen, who plays Ryan, a ranch hand for the Dutton family, teases that “this may not” be the end.

“I’m satisfied and very happy with what we’ve done. You know stories can’t go on forever,” he says. “We’re going to position it to have some kind of conclusion in some relationships and this and that. But not necessarily beyond.”

What are the ‘Yellowstone’ spinoffs?

The growing ‘Yellowstone’ universe already has two popular spin-offs within the franchise and more are in the pipeline. The different shows travel through time and chronicle the same family over hundreds of years.

‘1883’ (2021-2022)

This prequel was packed with stars, including country stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and actor Sam Elliot. The show traveled back in time to chronicle how the Dutton family first settled in Montana.

‘1923’ (2022–present)

Oscar winner Helen Mirren and legendary actor Harrison Ford led the cast of this prequel, which featured the next generation of the Dutton family. Season 2 is currently in production.

‘1944’ (TBA)

Another prequel series, this “1944” edition has been greenlit for production. Further details, including a release date, are unknown.

‘The Madison’ (to be determined)

Previously titled ‘2024’, the series stars Michelle Pfeiffer and follows the story of a New York family that moves to Montana. Currently, we don’t know how the story will intertwine with the current characters of the Yellowstone universe.

‘6666’

Another series from the ‘Yellowstone’ universe is ‘6666’, pronounced ‘Four Sixes’, based on the real Four Sixes ranch in Texas, which Sheridan himself now owns.

This spin-off follows the storylines on that ranch, but as of June that series was on hold. Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter that because it is a real ranch with real families, it requires a “unique level of special care.”