While Yellowstone has become a cultural phenomenon thanks to its compelling, larger-than-life characters like Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), one of the most puzzling aspects of the show has been the underutilization of Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille). While Beth and Rip have remained relatively static, thriving in their well-defined roles as emotionally charged anti-heroes, Kayce and Monica are stuck in an endless cycle of conflict, uncertainty, and rebuilding without ever getting the opportunity to fully develop into the richly complex characters they have the potential to be.

Throughout Yellowstone, viewers have witnessed Kayce and Monica’s attempts to reconcile with the Dutton legacy, especially with their relationship with John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Initially, Kayce’s strained relationship with his father, and later Monica’s emotional battles with the Dutton family, formed the backbone of much of their conflict. After years of tension, both characters eventually learn to forgive John for his initial reservations about their relationship, and they even honor him by naming their second child after him. However, despite these emotional moments, Kayce and Monica’s storylines rarely evolve in a meaningful way. As they find themselves thrown into increasingly tragic and tragicomic circumstances — such as the death of one child and the kidnapping of another — the show continuously repeats these patterns without allowing their characters to break free and grow beyond these tragedies.

Each season seems to start fresh for the pair, as they ask the same existential questions: What is their place within the Dutton family? Can they continue on in the harsh world of the ranch? And, most frustratingly, are they going to make it? These recurring questions create a sense of stagnation, as Kayce and Monica constantly rebuild their lives, but we never get to see the finished product — never see the ultimate fruits of their labor. This repetitive pattern, while initially engaging, leaves them stuck in a perpetual cycle that doesn’t allow for real character progression.

Monica’s narrative is particularly frustrating, as she has had a number of career and personal pursuits that show potential for depth, but they all fall short. Whether it’s her brief time as a university teacher or her involvement with Chief Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) to solve a string of abductions on the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, Monica is clearly a character with agency and a strong sense of justice. However, every time she seems to make progress, something — often tragic — pulls her back into a state of despair. As much as we want Monica to break out of her tragic cycles and create a more fulfilling life for herself, Yellowstone hasn’t let her reach that next level, leaving her character arc feeling incomplete.

Kayce’s character has suffered a similar fate, with a career trajectory that mirrors the show’s lack of clarity. He’s been everything from a ranch hand to the Livestock Commissioner, often struggling to define himself beyond his family’s shadow. His arc is one of constant search for purpose, and in The Apocalypse of Change, Kayce openly admits to Tate (Brecken Merrill) that he’s been “directionless” for most of his adult life. While this is relatable to viewers who may struggle with similar feelings, it’s a dynamic that has worn thin on Yellowstone. Kayce’s journey has been one of confusion and stagnation, with his struggles to find direction becoming repetitive, rather than compelling. The audience can sympathize with his personal conflict, but there’s little growth or resolution to drive his story forward.

For much of the series, it seems like Kayce and Monica are continually trying to move forward, only to be stuck in a holding pattern. They are always rebuilding, always trying to reconcile, but we never get to see them fully heal or change in any significant way. Their journey is filled with personal trauma, but Yellowstone fails to provide the space for them to emerge from these cycles stronger or more evolved. In fact, by the time the show allows Kayce to get meaningful material following John Dutton’s death, it feels almost too late for him to undergo the kind of transformation that would have made him a truly interesting and evolved character.

That said, there are still glimpses of greatness in both Kayce and Monica that hint at the potential they could have had on the show. Kayce is an inherently complex character, struggling with his duty to his family while trying to maintain his moral integrity. Monica, too, has the makings of an inspiring, multifaceted woman — intelligent, strong-willed, and deeply compassionate. Yet, Yellowstone has consistently struggled to give these characters the depth they deserve.

With John’s death now looming as a game-changing moment in the show, it feels like Yellowstone is finally beginning to give Kayce more meaningful development. But after so many seasons of wasted potential, it feels like this exploration of his character might be too little, too late. Kayce and Monica have been reduced to side characters, never truly given the opportunity to shine on their own, with their arcs taking a backseat to the more dramatic, chaotic lives of other Duttons like Beth and Rip.

In many ways, the potential of Kayce and Monica has always been the most intriguing aspect of their characters. They’ve both had profound personal struggles, but those struggles have rarely been allowed to evolve beyond their surface-level emotional trauma. Instead of providing Kayce and Monica with the chance to experience true growth, Yellowstone has kept them in a cycle of repetitive setbacks. It’s time for the show to give them the opportunity to rise above the chaos, complete their personal journeys, and allow them to fulfill their true potential.