The Season 1 finale of Dutton Ranch, titled “El Padrino,” delivered a explosive and dramatic conclusion to the show’s first chapter, packed with intense shootouts and a major cliffhanger. However, according to writer Michael John Petty, the episode also highlighted a troubling trend: the series risks repeating one of Yellowstone’s most criticized narrative pitfalls through the character of Joaquin Jackson Reyes, played by Juan Pablo Raba and known as “Kino.”
Joaquin is the adopted son of Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), the formidable manager of the 10-Petal Ranch in Texas. Throughout the season, he has served as a key figure handling the family’s legal and business affairs. Yet in a shocking betrayal, Joaquin secretly reaches out to and begins collaborating with his biological father, Mariano Reyes (Raoul Max Trujillo) — a dangerous figure deeply involved in the criminal underworld of drugs and violence. This decision culminates in a violent confrontation during the finale, setting up significant conflict for the Jackson family moving forward.
Petty draws a direct and concerning parallel between Joaquin and Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) from Yellowstone. Both characters are adopted sons who manage the legal and business sides of their powerful families. Both experience feelings of jealousy toward their siblings and gradually allow external influences — particularly from their biological fathers — to pull them into acts of betrayal against the only family they have truly known. Jamie’s storyline became a source of repeated internal family drama in Yellowstone, and many fans grew frustrated with the repetitive nature of his conflicts. If Joaquin follows a similar path, Dutton Ranch could fall into the same narrative trap.
The finale’s heavy focus on Joaquin’s betrayal has split viewer reactions. While some appreciate the added layers of family tension and high-stakes drama, others worry that the show is already leaning too heavily on familiar Yellowstone-style internal sabotage rather than forging its own identity in the Dutton universe.
As Dutton Ranch closes its strong first season with this dramatic twist, the big question remains: Will Joaquin become the Texas version of Jamie Dutton, or can he find a path toward redemption? “El Padrino” has successfully set up compelling stakes for Season 2, but it also serves as an early warning about the direction the series might take. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the show can avoid repeating the mistakes of its predecessor while building something fresh in the expanding Dutton saga.
