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‘Yellowstone’ TV: Eagle-Eyed Fans Uncover Curious Lee Dutton Absence from Family Photos

“Yellowstone” fans aren’t waiting for the fourth season of the Paramount Network series to arrive to get their modern western fix.

Instead, fans of the ever-popular show are invading the internet to discuss their favorite show. Message board forum sites have entire sections roped off specifically for “Yellowstone” talk. The show’s fan base continues to grow in numbers as more and more people discover the western goodness that is “Yellowstone.”

Among the topics fans love to discuss on message boards are odd occurrences that appear on the show from time to time. A recent thread on message board site Reddit points out an oddity in the Dutton clan’s family photos. It appears that one Dutton child is missing from the family portraits and it has “Yellowstone” fans puzzled. The poster claims it is Lee Dutton that is not included in the photos as a youngster. Lee was killed very early in the series after a conflict with the nearby Broken Rock Native American Tribe. The “Yellowstone” includes still shots from moments in which family photos appear on-screen. The Reddit thread is titled “What about Lee Dutton?”

“In Season one, family pictures are shown at least three times of Evelyn Dutton and three kids,” the Redditor explains. “This is unusual because they had four kids. One would think it was Jamie that was not in the pictures due to the fact he’s adopted, but I think it’s Lee missing from the pictures.”

‘Yellowstone’ Fans Ponder Lee Dutton’s Absence

A quick look at the photos in question reveals that young Lee Dutton is indeed missing in the pictures. The poster includes three still shots from season one to support their claim.

Lee Dutton is the oldest son of Montana ranchers, John and Evelyn Dutton. He has two brothers, Jamie and Kayce, and a sister, Beth. A “Yellowstone” ranch hand by trade, Lee appears in the very first episode of the show. But, Lee’s role on “Yellowstone” would come to an early end when he is shot by Kayce’s Brother-in-law, Robert Long.

There are a couple of fan theories on why Lee does not appear in the Dutton family photos. Many fans believe it is simply a sloppy mistake on the part of “Yellowstone” writers. A production error could very well be the case, but if so, it seems to be a glaring mistake.

Another theory suggests that Lee never actually existed and that he was a figment of John Dutton’s imagination. While it is somewhat far-fetched, it is an interesting “Yellowstone” theory.

Perhaps John Dutton created his ideal son in his own mind or Lee is a projection of his younger self. Will we learn more about Lee in the upcoming new season of “Yellowstone?” It wouldn’t come as a total surprise from a show that is full of them.

Why do you think Lee is missing from the Dutton’s collection of family photos?