The Answer To Marshals’ Tate Problem Is Staring The Yellowstone Spinoff Right In The Face

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The first season of Marshals ended with a hint about how Tate Dutton (Brecken Merrill), Kayce Dutton’s (Luke Grimes) son, will be used in season 2. While Tate wasn’t a major character for much of the first season, the finale subtly suggested the direction his story will take. Marshals concluded its successful first season on CBS, proving that the intense world of Yellowstone can work well as a standard network police show.

The first season of Marshals ended with a tense cliffhanger: Kayce’s colleagues, Cal (Logan Marshall-Green) and Belle (Arielle Kebbel), were suddenly attacked by gunmen. At the same time, Kayce was happily riding with Dolly Weaver (Ellyn Jameson), completely unaware of the danger his friends were in.

The first season of Marshals ends with a shocking reveal: Thomas Weaver (Chris Mulkey) is the one behind all the trouble Kayce and the U.S. Marshals have been dealing with. Even more concerning, Weaver flies Tate Dutton away on his private jet, claiming they’re going to Texas for a fishing trip. Neither Tate nor Kayce have any idea that Tate is in danger.

Tate Dutton Needs To Work For Thomas Rainwater In Marshals Season 2

I really think Tate Dutton will make it through whatever trouble Thomas Weaver throws at him when Marshals comes back for season two. Of course, because the show is part of the Yellowstone world, anything could happen, and they could potentially kill him off. But honestly, it would be brutal for Kayce to lose Tate after already losing Monica before the show even started. I’m hoping the writers won’t put him through that again; it just feels too much.

Tate will likely return in season 2 of Marshals, but the show needs to give him a more significant role. The first season’s finale created a perfect opportunity for Tate: he could work for Thomas Rainwater and the Broken Rock Reservation. As a Dutton with Native American heritage, this position would be a natural fit for him within the show’s storyline.

At 17, Tate is too young to become a U.S. Marshal, and Kayce wouldn’t risk his son’s life, even though Tate has already faced dangerous situations. Working with Thomas Rainwater offers Tate a chance to understand the politics of Broken Rock and the concerns of the Native American community. Plus, appearing alongside Rainwater gives the show more opportunities to feature Tate than his potential role with the Marshals would have.

Tate is a valuable asset to Thomas Rainwater’s team and can handle the work Monica would have done if she’d been with the Marshals. Kayce understands that working for Rainwater is the best way for Tate to carry on his mother’s memory and uphold her values.

Tate, as a member of the Dutton family, has already experienced violence, even killing someone in the first season finale of Marshals. He could benefit from Mo’s fighting lessons and become more skilled. While Kayce’s sale of Yellowstone means Tate loses his Dutton inheritance, his Native American heritage—through his mother—allows him to find purpose by working with Thomas Rainwater and serving his community.

Dutton Ranch Treats Carter Far Better Than Marshals Treats Tate

It’s striking how differently Marshals has used Tate Dutton compared to the significant role Carter has had on Dutton Ranch. This is especially noticeable because Tate is a member of the Dutton family, suggesting he’d be a key character. Yellowstone actually featured Tate more effectively when he was younger than Marshals does now that he’s 17.

In the first three episodes of Dutton Ranch, Carter has played a significant role in about a third of each show. He has his own story that doesn’t directly involve Beth Dutton or Rip Wheeler. The series has explored Carter’s challenges as a teenager trying to navigate high school and adjust to life in Rio Paloma, Texas, after growing up in Montana.

I’ve noticed a big difference between how they’re handling Carter and Tate. Carter actually has a relationship, Oreana Lynn Jackson – they’ve even been intimate, which adds a layer to his character. But Tate? They barely give him anything! He doesn’t have a love interest, and the show doesn’t seem interested in exploring his life at all. He’s mostly just there for a few lines whenever he pops up. Season one of Marshals gave him a bit more to do, but now he’s just become the guy who needs rescuing, which is a real shame.

As a huge fan of Yellowstone, I’ve been thinking about what could really elevate Tate Dutton’s storyline. I’d love to see him interacting more with Thomas Rainwater and Mo in a potential season two of Marshals. It feels like a natural way for him to grow up, see more of the world, and become more aware of everything happening around him. Plus, it would deepen the connection between Kayce and the Broken Rock Reservation, which is something I’m really invested in. Knowing Kayce trusts Rainwater – they’re blood brothers, after all – I think he’d be totally okay with Tate learning from him. It just feels like a smart move for the character’s development.

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2026-05-26 04:19