The season one finale of 'Dutton Ranch' brought the long-awaited introduction of Mariano Reyes, a former ranch hand and the father of Joaquin, finally revealing his significant ties to the 10-Petal ranch and its operations.
Flashbacks in episode seven detailed a pivotal moment in August 1981, when a younger Mariano, portrayed by Bobby Soto, was involved in a tragic event. He drove a young Beulah and her friends to a bar, where Beulah was assaulted. Later, when Beulah discovered she was pregnant, Mariano accompanied her to the assailant's home, where she fatally shot him. This incident led to Mariano's departure from Rio Paloma, with Beulah raising their son, Joaquin, as her own.
The season finale, however, provided crucial context for Mariano's present-day role. Viewers saw Mariano, played by Raoul Max Trujillo, at a christening in Mexico, acting as a godfather. He later met with a man named Gato, instructing him to gather men for a return to Rio Paloma.
Beulah later explained the full aftermath of the 1981 incident to Everett. Her father blamed Mariano, forcing him into a deal: Mariano would take the blame and disappear to Mexico, while Beulah's family would care for baby Joaquin. During this event, Mariano's wife, Joaquin's mother, was killed. Beulah also revealed that after the drought impacted Rio Paloma, a drought-induced plan from Mariano, delivered by Kino, involved using Beulah to run drugs for the 10-Petal ranch, a practice that continued for nearly 15 years.
Responding to Joaquin's call for help, Mariano arrived in Rio Paloma with a convoy of vehicles. After learning about Beulah passing leadership of the 10-Petal to her son and her involvement with outsiders, Mariano visited Beulah. He acknowledged her success in building a "kingdom," but also noted the harsh nature of their business. When Beulah requested to be released from the drug operations, Mariano demanded she publicly reinstate Joaquin as successor and dismiss Beth and Rip, threatening action if she refused.
Further demonstrating his strategic approach to power, Mariano later schooled Kino on anticipation, comparing effective leadership to a horse that leads the herd by not waiting. When informed of Beth and Rip's ambush at the ranch, Mariano's immediate command to Kino was to kill his brother.
Mariano Reyes in the present day is portrayed by Raoul Max Trujillo, a 71-year-old actor, dancer, choreographer, and theater director from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Trujillo began his acting career in 1990 and has since appeared in numerous films and television series, including 'Riddick,' 'Apocalypto,' 'The New World,' 'Blue Beetle,' 'Mayans M.C.,' 'Dark Winds,' and 'True Blood.' Given his significant role in the season finale, Trujillo is expected to continue appearing in 'Dutton Ranch' for its second season.