Hot take?
It’s been a rollercoaster of a fifth and final (?) season for the hit western series Yellowstone. To be frank, we should have known we were heading for a drama-filled finale with all of the real life drama that surrounded the show. There were plenty of question marks for what ended up being almost two years in between the first and second half of season five.
There was the whole will-he, won’t-he return with Kevin Costner, the writers and actors strike, and everything else that got thrown at Taylor Sheridan and the writers of the hit series. But eventually, Yellowstone made it through all of its challenges – albeit without Costner’s John Dutton – and returned to television screens back in November.
To what some might characterize as “mixed reviews.”
When the show first returned, they handled the Kevin Costner issue rather quickly. That caused fans to flood social media, scolding the writers and Taylor Sheridan for not handling John Dutton’s exit to their liking. Though I’m not sure what they wanted the show writers and show runner to do? Just say Costner is sitting up in his bedroom or something?
There have been many other shocking revelations as the season has rolled on, but the most astonishing thing that a number of Yellowstone fans have noticed? One could argue that the series isn’t just treading water without Costner… it’s thriving. Or to keep with the swimming metaphor, moving with Michael Phelps level speed and precision.
As crazy as it sounds, some of the Yellowstone faithful are actually loving how other characters have been given the ability to shine in the absence of John Dutton. Just as a sports team are sometimes pleasantly surprised when they have to enact a next-man-up mentality, characters like Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) have really stepped up and made up for the loss of the Dutton patriarch.
And fans are noticing that very phenomenon and praising Yellowstone for it online:
Yellowstone is better without Kevin Costner…he’s a great actor and played Dutton great! But now since he’s parted ways the show is more entertaining. Yes we miss John and want justice to be served but this never would have happened if he stayed.
— carv (@RealChaseCarver) December 2, 2024
I am legit surprised at how 🔥 this season of Yellowstone has been, even without Kevin Costner. pic.twitter.com/ocbOvyMZWF
— Jason Seaborn (@WaialuaDaKine) December 3, 2024
Who knew Kevin Costner’s leaving Yellowstone would actually make the show better?
— Derek (@beckcpo) December 1, 2024
The newer episodes of #Yellowstone have been a bit messy with timeline jumps – obviously to make up of Kevin Costner’s departure – but jesus there are some scenes that hit has hard as ever pic.twitter.com/2ab33FamUQ
— Greg Murphy 🤓 (@TheGregMurphy) December 3, 2024
I just witnessed one of the saddest & perhaps one of the best episodes of Yellowstone.
The absence of Kevin Costner has sparked some truly incredible creativity on the part of the writers.
— Joe MacKrell (@sleepyjoe2) December 2, 2024
Yeah… I think we found Taylor Sheridan’s burner…
And while we are on the topic of the hit show, you should check out the Whiskey Riff Yellowstone: The Soundtrack Playlist, which features every song from every episode, updated in real time, every Sunday night. The latest episode featured Chris Stapleton, Larry Fleet and more.
