Dutton Ranch fans were likely expecting more blood to be spilled in Season 1’s finale, but I’m not sure anyone anticipated which core character was about to die, or how…

The body count in Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s hit Yellowstone spin-off has been rising for weeks, with key characters like Dwight White (Ray McKinnon) and Chet Davis (Hart Denton), getting the axe. And in Dutton Ranch Episode 9, “El Padrino,” another one bites the dust!

The death scene is a heartbreaking one for many reasons, chief among them being who killed this person and their loved ones’ devastating reactions. So did Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) follow through on threats to kill his brother Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba)? Did Beth (Reilly) kill Beulah (Annette Bening) after finding out what a mess she roped her and Rip (Hauser) into? And crucially, did Carter (Finn Little) die?! Because quite frankly, Dutton Ranch fans have been worried about him all damn season and danger has been teased!

Curious who died in Dutton Ranch‘s Season 1 finale? Does Carter die? And if not, what happens to Carter in Dutton Ranch? Read on for answers!

Spoilers for Dutton Ranch Episode 9 ahead.

Does Carter Die In Dutton Ranch?

As noted, all season long Dutton Ranch fans have been worried about Carter’s well-being. That concern first spiked after he witnessed his pal Dwight White (Ray McKinnon) get murdered by the sheriff, and again after he caused a drunken scene at Beulah’s 10-Petal anniversary party. But the concern absolutely skyrocketed after Carter told Beth and Rip off and ran away from home in Episode 8, only for him to be MIA as they faced threats from the Cartel and the Jacksons in Episode 9. AHHH!!!

So does Carter die in Dutton Ranch‘s Season 1 finale? Technically no, but his life is absolutely on the line when the end credits roll…

What Happens To Carter In Dutton Ranch‘s Season 1 Finale?

Since Carter ran away from home, Beth’s been frantically trying to reach him and he’s been dodging her calls. In the finale, Beth interrogates Oreana, who assures her she hasn’t seen Carter in days, but fails to disclose she’d taken a pregnancy test that — whoops! — turned out positive.

Oreana technically doesn’t lie to Beth when she said she didn’t know where Carter was, but her hunch is correct. She finds him camping out at Dwight’s and he apologizes for his behavior at the party. As the two thaw the ice between them, Oreana convinces Carter to call Beth and ease her worries, but after confirming he’s okay he hangs up and ignores her pleas to come home. While Oreana doesn’t tell Carter about the pregnancy test, she does agree to leave Rio Paloma with him to start a new life together. She races home to pack and promises to meet him later that night.

While Carter is hiding out at Dwight’s house, he’s completely unaware that Beth and Rip busted Mariano and the Jackson family’s drug dealing Cartel business and are literally fighting for their lives. Manuel sends a team of men to kill them, but Rip, Azul, Zach, and Everett defend themselves while Beth goes around town looking everywhere for Carter. When she returns home without him, she gets a call from Mariano, who says, “I have your boy.”

While packing and waiting for Oreana’s return Carter hears a knock at the door at Dwight’s house. When he answers, Mariano’s men knock him out, put a bag over his head, zip tie his arms and legs, and toss him in the trunk. With seconds to spare in the finale, Beth runs to Rip screaming and says, “They have him! They have Carter!” He reminds her that Mariano and his men want them, not their son, so Beth says, “Then they’re gonna fucking get us.”

Is Finn Little Leaving Dutton Ranch?

Though Carter’s future is looking bleak after Dutton Ranch‘s Season 1 finale, right now, there’s no indication that he or Finn Little are leaving the series, nor can we imagine the show without them! Dutton Ranch Season 2 is sure to feature one hell of a fight to save Carter’s life, and I will once again take this opportunity to float a Dutton Ranch and Marshals crossover to save Tate and Carter!

Who Died In Dutton Ranch’s Season 1 Finale? Dutton Ranch Episode 9 Recap:

Since Carter didn’t die in Dutton Ranch‘s Season 1 finale you’re probably wondering who did. We break down the major Dutton Ranch Episode 9 death here, and you can read our Ending Explained article for a more detailed recap of Season 1’s intense finale.

Dutton Ranch Season 1 is now streaming on Paramount+.