Luke Grimes shed tears reading 'Marshals' 'gut punch' scene (spoilers)

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYMon, March 2, 2026 at 3:00 AM UTC

0

Spoiler alert! We're discussing the key revelation and ending of "Marshals" Episode 1.

Kayce Dutton is riding solo in "Marshals."

The March 1 two-hour premiere of the CBS prestige procedural (streaming now on Paramount+) confirms the worst-kept secret in the Taylor Sheridan Universe: Kayce's beloved "Yellowstone" partner Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille) did not make the transition to network prime-time. At least not in body.

RIP Monica Long Dutton, who is indeed, tragically deceased in "Marshals," as predicted when the character didn't appear in trailers or promotional material for the series.

Monica's haunting death is slowly revealed in Episode 1.

"I like the way we don't address the elephant in the room right away," executive producer and star Grimes tells USA TODAY.

'I was really on the fence': Luke Grimes on why he agreed to 'Marshals'

Luke Grimes is back as Kacey Dutton in the CBS series "Marshals." So is East Camp from "Yellowstone."

"Marshals" starts with former Navy Seal Kayce calling out "Monica!" during an explosive nightmare flashback sequence, before waking up alone in his bed. Painful discussions with son Tate (returning "Yellowstone" actor Brecken Merrill) and mentions of Monica's funeral are solid indicators of why Kayce's energy is even more burdened than usual.

Luke Grimes calls the 'Marshals' Monica memorial scene a 'gut punch'

But really, it's Kayce tearfully speaking to Monica at her rocky memorial in the Episode 1 climactic scene that seals the deal and propels "Yellowstone" Kayce into "Marshals."

Grimes says he was "brought to tears" just reading the "gut punch" final scene in the script, during which Kayce tells his dead wife that he's going to join the U.S. Marshals.

The tearful scene is all the more poignant with Grimes' own song "Haunted" serving as the soundtrack.

Kelsey Asbille as Monica and Luke Grimes as Kayce in happier times on "Yellowstone." Monica Dutton dies before "Marshals" begins, and Kayce is still haunted by the loss.

"I put pressure on myself to get that scene right," says Grimes. "The scene is why Kayce accepts the 'Marshals' badge. His dream life is gone. He has no choice but to try something else."

Advertisement

A kneeling Kayce speaks to Monica, his black cowboy hat in hand as his hair blows in the wind and golden light.

"I miss my wife, my best friend, my only friend," Kayce says. "The best part of me died with you."

Kayce is leaving the idyllic East Camp rancher life shown at the end of "Yellowstone."

"You always told me to fight for the life I want. I had the life I wanted, it was with you," says Kayce. "I'm changing paths, I'm trying to find a new beginning for me and Tate."

Kelsey Asbille as Monica Dutton on "Yellowstone."Why did 'Yellowstone' Monica have to die for 'Marshals'?

Executive producer and showrunner Spencer Hudnut says "Marshals" had to destroy the 2024 "Yellowstone" ending, where the couple rode off into the sunset with their child.

"Any hero's journey needs to begin in tragedy," says Hudnut. "In 'Yellowstone,' Kayce and Monica had such a happy ending. We needed to turn his world upside down."

1 / 0Who from 'Yellowstone' is coming to 'Marshals'? Is Monica Dutton dead?

Luke Grimes is bringing back Kayce Dutton to "Marshals." But the "Yellowstone" star is not coming alone. (L-R) Mo Brings Plenty (Mo), Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater) with Grimes (Kayce Dutton). Who else is joining the prestige procedural?

Monica will continue to be "honored" in the series. "We're going to do right by that character even if she's not with us," says Hudnut. "She's guiding Kayce in this new path."

That new path is clear. The protector and righteous killer is back. "Marshals" Episode 1 ends with Kayce spotting a coyote he had previously spared from killing. This time, Kayce pulls out his rifle and shoots the coyote, which is preying on a defenseless calf.

"He decides this time he is going to eliminate it. It's a metaphor for the protector in him," says Grimes. "Kayce is gonna use that skill set again to try to make the world a better place."

The coyote theme will endure, too. In flashback scenes in future episodes, Kayce will take the Navy SEAL nickname "Coyo."

"So you'll start hearing that name a lot more as the season goes on," says Grimes.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kayce Dutton mourns this 'Yellowstone' death in 'Marshals' (spoilers)

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”