A few of these arcs are addressed in Episode 9, but what does it say about John, as a iconic modern cowboy, father, and leader, that he died without resolving so many loose ends? Some may say, “That’s life — it’s messy.” But the series has never labored for accuracy (except when it comes to wrangling cattle and the like). It strives for emotional truths over all else, whether it’s Beth’s tough-talking business negotiations (which, if applied literally, are essentially nonsensical) or Kayce’s “shoot first, ask questions never” ways of serving as livestock commissioner. Costner could sell those because of his movie star gravitas, his lived experience, his status on the show, and the status he lent to his character.