“Yellowstone Overlooked One of Its Most Promising Characters”

Among Yellowstone’s supporting characters, Monica Long Dutton stands out as a strong-willed woman of Indigenous American heritage who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Yet, the neo-Western series rarely capitalizes on Monica’s full potential, often limiting her to a secondary role within the Dutton family. She begins the show as a dedicated teacher at Heartsong Middle School on Montana’s Broken Rock Reservation, demonstrating remarkable courage in her work. Her storyline grows even more promising when she takes a position lecturing at Montana State University.

However, revisiting Yellowstone’s first season reveals a stark contrast with later seasons, where Monica’s independent life outside the Dutton ranch nearly disappears. From season 3 onward, her appearances are mostly confined to her roles as Kayce Dutton’s wife and mother to his children.

Despite being one of Yellowstone’s most compelling characters, Monica receives minimal screen time in the later seasons when Kayce isn’t by her side. This limitation is especially disappointing given the strong foundation built in earlier episodes.

Yellowstone Underuses Several Supporting Characters, But Monica Is One of the Most Overlooked

As an expansive neo-Western epic spanning five seasons, Yellowstone inevitably underutilizes some characters. For instance, we rarely see the lighthearted chef Gator or even Kayce and Monica’s son, Tate. But none are as overlooked in the show’s main storylines as Monica.

She is a fiercely courageous figure, skillfully balancing her Indigenous tribal identity with her place in the Dutton household, all while maintaining a demanding teaching career and caring for her family.

Yet the spotlight rarely shines on Monica, especially during the last three seasons. The notable exception comes in season 3, when she cleverly sets a trap for a serial killer targeting Native American women on the reservation, allowing a sniper to bring the killer to justice.

Even in moments where Monica bonds with Beth Dutton—such as after a confrontation with a boutique owner accusing her of shoplifting—Beth is framed as the true hero. Monica, by contrast, is often depicted as vulnerable and in need of rescue by others.

Monica’s Teaching Career Presented a Rich Opportunity for Development

Monica’s bravery is evident throughout the series. She risks her life multiple times, including during a dangerous playground fight she tries to break up at her school. In season 1, Monica suffers a serious head injury when intervening between two fighting teens—a moment that highlights her fearlessness and moral conviction, setting up what could have been an enriching character arc.

Her transition to lecturing at Montana State University in season 2 offered further promise, as she taught American history from an Indigenous perspective—a rare storyline for a Western series. Unfortunately, this narrative thread disappears after season 2 as Yellowstone shifts its focus more tightly onto the Dutton family’s internal struggles, sidelining supporting characters like Monica and flattening their complexity.

Later Seasons Failed to Build on Monica’s Early Promise

After season 3’s thrilling episode “I Killed a Man Today,” Monica’s role dwindles to primarily that of Kayce’s wife. While she remains part of important storylines—such as the heartbreaking loss of their baby in season 5—her character’s own narrative potential remains largely unexplored.

Monica’s unique position as a university lecturer who challenges mainstream U.S. historical narratives from a Native American viewpoint offered an innovative path for Yellowstone and the Western genre as a whole. Indigenous characters in modern neo-Westerns are often confined to reservations; Monica’s storyline had the potential to break that mold and offer a fresh, multidimensional perspective.

Instead, the series relegates her to a more traditional role: a housewife and mother, defined primarily by her relationship to Kayce and the Dutton family. This underuse is a missed opportunity that ultimately weakens the show’s narrative richness.