If you’ve been pondering the fate of the airplane bomb that Kayce Dutton strategically placed in Yellowstone Season 2, you’re not alone. Many fans have been intrigued by this unresolved plot point since it aired in 2019. While the Duttons have delivered their share of justice throughout the show’s five-season journey, the mystery surrounding the Beck Brothers‘ airplane has lingered in the minds of viewers. Thankfully, Tulsa King and Yellowstone alumnus Neal McDonough has finally provided some insights — albeit somewhat indirectly.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. In Season 2, Episode 9 of Yellowstone, the character Kayce (played by Luke Grimes) and security guard Torry stealthily conceal a remotely triggered bomb within the fuel tank of the Beck Brothers‘ private aircraft. This scene is filled with tension and suspense, yet after that pivotal moment, the bomb is never addressed again. The plane remains intact, and the plot thread is left hanging, prompting viewers to exclaim, “What the heck?!” Since then, McDonough, who portrayed the villain Malcolm Beck, has shared the first semi-official explanation regarding this unresolved storyline. If you were hoping for a comprehensive resolution, prepare for a twist. McDonough recently discussed this during a promotion for his new film, The Last Rodeo.

“You know, that’s a great question. I think it’s just that Taylor Sheridan likes to create mental threats for the audience. Keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats allows him to introduce unexpected developments.”

Understanding the Fate of the Beck Brothers’ Plane in Yellowstone

According to McDonough’s perspective, the bomb’s purpose was not to provide a satisfying payoff but rather to serve as a clever distraction — a red herring intended to mislead viewers and keep them fixated on the wrong aspects of the narrative. Essentially, the bomb plot wasn’t an abandoned storyline; rather, it was an intentional feature of the storytelling. So, it’s not a matter of Chekov’s gun theory applying here, but rather just a plane that exists to provoke thought and speculation.

“I mean, shooting my brother in a toilet, did anybody expect that to happen?” McDonough remarked, referencing the shocking death scene of Teal Beck, which took place in a restroom setting. “To have my character meet his end between two individuals in a field grappling with issues of honesty and integrity was unexpected. Sheridan could have easily resolved the conflict by eliminating me in the middle of the field, but he chose not to.”

In true Yellowstone fashion, violence often strikes when least anticipated, and in manners that catch viewers off guard. This storytelling technique is certainly clever if one accepts McDonough’s rationale. However, not every fan may be satisfied with this explanation. Some still theorize that the airplane subplot was quietly abandoned or simply lost amidst the whirlwind of a packed season. Nevertheless, at least we now have some form of clarification — and it comes straight from one of the characters involved.

Yellowstone is currently available for streaming on Peacock.

Source: KDHL