Kayce’s Revenge: Ancient Warrior Tradition Meets Modern Drama in ‘Yellowstone’
In the latest John Dutton news, Kayce delves deeper into the mystery surrounding his father’s passing on ‘Yellowstone’.
Tonight’s episode of Yellowstone, titled “Counting Coup,” delivered multiple significant developments, from saying goodbye to a beloved original character to uncovering the truth about John Dutton’s killer. Yellowstone fans were treated to a riveting instalment that showcased the show’s signature blend of family drama and Western intrigue.
In this gripping Yellowstone episode, viewers witnessed the ruthless side of ex-Navy SEAL Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he initiated his vengeance mission, targeting Grant Horton (Matt Gerald) first. Horton, previously an NSA agent before becoming a hitman for Market Equities, was Sarah Atwood’s (Dawn Olivieri) choice to resolve Yellowstone Jamie Dutton’s (Wes Bentley) issue with his father, Governor John Dutton (Kevin Costner). The Grant Horton assassin eliminated the governor and manipulated the scene to appear as suicide, setting the stage for a Yellowstone conspiracy.
Knowing his father would never end his own life, Yellowstone Kayce investigated the death and identified Grant Horton as the assassin. He located the family man at his daughter’s soccer match, entering their vehicle as they departed. In a tense moment, Kayce issued threats against Horton and his family before striking him forcefully on the head, leaving a mark. When Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) collected Kayce, he described this act as “counting coup,” introducing viewers to an intriguing indigenous warrior custom.
Recall that Kayce completed the Hanbleceya ritual to gain full membership in his wife Monica’s (Kelsey Asbille) tribe. This ceremony, combined with his Navy SEAL training, has endowed Kayce with diverse indigenous warrior capabilities, making him a formidable force in the Yellowstone universe.
What does ‘counting coup’ mean?
After striking Horton, Kayce delivered one of the most memorable Kayce Dutton quotes of the series: “In my culture, this is called ‘counting coup.’ It means I’ve claimed part of your soul, which I’ll retain forever.” This soul-taking declaration left viewers intrigued about the deeper meaning behind this act.
For a more detailed explanation of the counted coup meaning, we referenced PBS’ appraisers. During a 2005 Antiques Roadshow event, Douglas Deihl provided this insight:
“Within Plains warrior societies,” Deihl explains, “Sioux warriors established their reputation through battlefield bravery, with ‘counting coup’ being one method. Warriors aimed to approach enemies close enough to touch them while avoiding injury or death. This achievement was considered their highest honor, surpassing the act of killing or scalping enemies. Successfully touching an enemy and surviving represented the ultimate battlefield accomplishment.”
Essentially, to count coup represents a warrior’s pride in humiliating and intimidating an enemy while deliberately sparing their life, leaving them frightened or emotionally wounded. It serves as both an intimidation tactic and a way to assert dominance without resorting to lethal force.
What’s the origin of ‘counting coup’?
The expression “counting coup” emerged among North American Plains Indians as a method of tracking warrior achievements. Different tribes recorded these accomplishments either by marking notches on special coup sticks or permitting warriors to wear feathers in their hair. Each feather or mark on the coup stick represented a successful coup, serving as a visible symbol of the warrior’s bravery and skill.
The concept of counting coup shares similarities with the modern phrase “put a notch on your belt,” which is used to denote an achievement or victory. However, in indigenous warrior culture, counting coup held far more significance, representing not just an accomplishment but a demonstration of courage, skill, and restraint.
As Kayce embarks on his revenge mission in Yellowstone, his use of this ancient practice adds a layer of cultural depth to his actions. It showcases how he balances his modern training as a Navy SEAL with the indigenous traditions he has embraced through his wife and her tribe. This blend of skills and cultural knowledge makes Kayce a unique and compelling character in the Yellowstone saga, capable of navigating both the modern world and ancient traditions with equal proficiency.
Source:
K.L. Connie Wang (December 2, 2024). What ‘Counting Coup’ Means in ‘Yellowstone’. Parade. https://parade.com/tv/counting-coup-meaning-yellowstone. Accessed December 4, 2024
Header Photo
Luke Grimes, February 2017
Photo credit: Eagerbeaver198484, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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