What did Kayce see in his vision?
In the cinematic tableau of Yellowstone's fifth season, an intriguing plotline emerges around Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), who finds himself at a symbolic crossroads. Kayce is presented with a vision, one that forces him to choose between his wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and the ranch - two pillars that have long defined his character. This delicate moment on the show echoes a time-honored trope of choice, often found throughout cultural history and mythology: the crossroads. The symbolic resonance of crossroads transcends various cultural spheres, influencing literature, folklore, and psychology.
The crossroads, throughout cultural history, has been a compelling symbol for critical junctures or pivotal choices. In Greek mythology, Hecate, the goddess of crossroads, symbolized the process of decision-making. Similarly, in blues music lore, the story of musician Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads underpins the essence of life-altering choices and their resulting consequences. The trope has been revisited in countless films and TV shows, often using the symbolism of a physical crossroads to portray the metaphorical decisions a character must make.
In Yellowstone, Kayce's crossroads is portrayed through the metaphysical realm, a vision, rather than a physical location. This internalization of the crossroads theme presents a nuanced exploration of his character's decision-making process. It's a symbolic representation of the dual aspects of Kayce's identity - the family man and the rancher - reaching an impasse. The question then arises: What path should Kayce tread?
His vision encapsulates his struggle with an existential dilemma: Can he be the loving husband to Monica while fully embracing the mantle of rancher? The ranch represents his birthright, the legacy of his family, but Monica symbolizes his personal happiness and the future he could shape. This dichotomy of choice harks back to numerous archetypical protagonists, from Hamlet's "To be or not to be" to Neo's red pill or blue pill decision in The Matrix.
Let's delve further into this theme by looking at an example from popular literature - the character of Aragorn in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings.' Aragorn, like Kayce, faces a similar crossroads. He must decide between embracing his destiny as the future king (symbolic of Kayce's responsibility towards the ranch) and pursuing his love for Arwen (akin to Kayce's relationship with Monica). The resolution in Aragorn's narrative comes with the realization that his duty and love do not necessarily need to be mutually exclusive, thereby paving the way for a third path at the crossroads.
Similarly, the concluding scene of Yellowstone's midseason finale where Monica and Kayce discuss John's proposal, offers a glimmer of hope for a similar resolution. Monica's words, "Maybe this is the way we have both," suggest that Kayce might not have to make a binary choice. This unexpected turn at the crossroads indicates that the narrative might evolve beyond the traditional crossroads trope.
The potential for Kayce to merge these seemingly disparate paths redefines the crossroads trope within Yellowstone's narrative arc. It offers an evolution from the binary choices often seen in traditional tales and echoes a more contemporary narrative trend - the possibility of harmonizing various aspects of one's life rather than choosing one over the other. This creates a layered, multi-dimensional character in Kayce who can fulfill his familial obligations while cherishing his personal happiness.
In conclusion, Yellowstone's exploration of the crossroads trope through Kayce's vision and his subsequent conversations with Monica invites viewers to ponder the complexities of life's choices. It beautifully juxtaposes the age-old narrative device of the crossroads with the intricacies of contemporary storytelling, creating a compelling character arc for Kayce that keeps viewers eagerly anticipating the paths he will tread.
In future episodes, viewers will undoubtedly be keen to see whether Kayce, like Aragorn, can find his third path. His journey is a testament to the strength of Yellowstone's storytelling - constantly balancing traditional tropes with innovative narrative twists, keeping us riveted, episode after episode.
