As a fan of Yellowstone since its inception, I have always been captivated by the authenticity and depth that Taylor Sheridan brings to his storytelling. Working alongside him on this iconic series has been nothing short of extraordinary.
[This story contains major spoilers from the Yellowstone season 5B premiere.]
Following the sensational, eagerly awaited comeback of Yellowstone, where does the story go from here?
In simpler terms, let’s explore how the story unfolds for the main family in Taylor Sheridan’s popular Paramount Network series “Yellowstone” now that the character played by Kevin Costner, John Dutton, has passed away.
Will Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) seek revenge for what she perceives as her father’s murder by eliminating her brother, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley)? More specifically, how will Beth eliminate the brother she despises, and will her husband Rip (Cole Hauser), now back at the ranch, support her in this endeavor? It remains to be seen if her other brother Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) will join them on this potentially violent journey to avenge their father, John, and protect the Dutton family ranch. Furthermore, how formidable of an adversary is Jamie’s girlfriend Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who was unveiled as the one responsible for ordering the hit on John?
The final five episodes of our Season 5B, which started airing on Sunday, are expected to provide answers to all these queries. According to John, as he told The Hollywood Reporter, “John’s death marks the beginning of the end. It propels the season forward with immense momentum.
After the first episode, titled “Desire Is All You Need,” written by Sheridan and directed by Christina Voros, Christina shared insights about the episode and revealed secret phrases for the Dutton death scene in an interview with THR post-premiere. In response, Paramount Network then released a one-minute sneak peek of what’s to come in the rest of the season. As Beth teams up with Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and targets Jamie and Sarah, Kayce gains understanding. “I know what needs to be done,” he declares in a snippet where he shoves his brother Jamie onto his office desk. “You should feel fearful. I know everything.
Prior to the highly-anticipated debut, THR engaged in a discussion with Grimes and Kelsey Asbille, who portrays Monica Dutton, exploring whether the shocking events of the premiere could potentially shake their relationship’s core. They also delved into the challenging decisions that Kayce will face this season without his father (Costner) present, and how Grimes reacted to the cliffhanger ending of Season 5B, which may or may not mark the conclusion of Yellowstone.
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As Season 5A concludes, Kayce and Monica Dutton find themselves faced with a proposition from John Dutton (Kevin Costner): to rejoin the family and reside on the ranch. In the beginning of Season 5B, what are their feelings towards their family ties?
Luke Grimes explains that the show resumes much like it ended, with Monica questioning about a house located in the eastern camp of the Yellowstone ranch. Upon return, viewers discover Kelsey and her family exploring this potential new home. They ponder if this could be their forever place. Filming these scenes was enjoyable for Luke and his co-star, as they brought some lightheartedness and happiness to the characters, but of course, that brief respite doesn’t last long.
Through numerous trials and tribulations within their family and marriage across the various seasons, Kayce and Monica have provided a steadfast support system for each other. With the escalating Dutton family turmoil reaching its peak in these episodes, one might argue that they serve as anchors for one another. However, it is still uncertain if their marriage will face additional challenges along the way.
KELSEY ASBILLE Indeed, there are challenges, and marriage seems to involve overcoming those hurdles. Life itself is full of them! Yet, it appears that they have always been each other’s goals. They’ve been striving diligently for this, creating a family, building a home, and looking forward. I wish them the tranquility they deserve in the end.
I spoke with your director Christina Voros who described Kayce as a soldier this season. Luke, what is he fighting for?
GRIMES It’s always about family, but which one? That’s been Kayce’s struggle. Is it his family with Monica, or his family with Beth? This season, he needs to make a decision and find a way to do what’s best for everyone. He tends to prioritize his original family [with Monica], but this time around, he has to think things through to determine the right course of action for all involved. The question is, how can I make the most significant impact? It’s fascinating to see Kayce in a more decisive light because he’s often been uncertain and unsure about the correct path to take. Watching him assert himself and find direction in his life is quite refreshing.
Absolutely. Yes, it’s clear that Monica has complete faith in Kayce when it comes to choosing a family to support. I believe she’s always sought the most favorable course of action and deeply worries about him, knowing that they must choose one way or another.
How could we put it? The departure of John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, from the show has significantly propelled the narrative this season. [Editor’s note: Costner left the series between seasons 5A and 5B.]
As a gamer, I’d say: “It propels itself ahead with rocket power, that’s the deal. It’s the kickoff, the start of something significant… it’s the opening act of what could be the final scene.
The strong grip that John seems to have on daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) and son Jamie (Wes Bentley) is evident, yet Kayce has created a life for himself independently from the family. How does Kayce adapt without his father present, are there unexpected impacts on him?
GRIMES It’s clear they’ve had their differences. Kayce’s father has consistently pushed him towards paths he doesn’t feel drawn to, which clashes with Kayce’s independent nature. While he strives to please others, Kayce is a free-spirited individual who follows his own path. Given the absence of a dominant male figure, he must assert himself and carve out his own destiny.
“Since everyone has mentioned that working together has made this show feel like being part of a real family, I’m curious about what it was like on set when Kevin Costner wasn’t present.
ABBREVIATED He played such a crucial role in the series, and his character became so iconic, so the time we spent with him was particularly memorable. As for what comes next, his absence has always been a significant element of the plot. Just like Luke mentioned, it propels the story forward and helps answer many questions that have been lingering since season one.
As a dedicated fan, I was intrigued when Christina shared insights about the strict security measures designed to prevent spoilers from slipping out. She hinted that only a select few, including the core Duttons, were privy to the final outcomes. Reading it – no spoilers, of course – left me wondering: how did these surprising episode conclusions affect you?
I devoured the entire piece in a single sitting, keeping me awake until 3 a.m. It was quite engaging. Taylor [Sheridan] had hinted at how the series would conclude, and I believe it delivers on that promise, wow! Given all the confidentiality involved, let’s give credit where it’s due to Christina. She was instrumental in keeping everything cohesive – she’s the one who made it possible for us to release this work today!
GRIMES I found myself quite unsettled after finishing the final episode of season 5B. I had delayed watching it as long as possible, only giving in when the anticipation became unbearable. From the start, Taylor advised me not to find out the ending until now because he believed it might influence my performance slightly [as quoted by Sheridan]: “It’s probably best if you don’t know; I know how it ends.” The wait seemed so prolonged that I hesitated to read it and preferred to postpone the moment.
However, let me recall that fateful night prior to the commencement of shooting episode one [the first day of season 5B production]. Despite the passage of two years, I found myself struggling to find my footing. I was questioning, “Where is Kayce now? How do I portray this character again?” I was at a loss as to how to re-immerse myself in the role, and so I decided to read the final episode instead. As I had anticipated, it drew me right back into the narrative. It was not only captivating but also deeply moving, almost to the point of perfection. I believe that its ending is near flawless and I can hardly envision it concluding any other way now.
There’s talk about a potential sixth season, and regardless of the outcome, there’s an expansive Yellowstone universe up for grabs. Does that idea excite you? Given how this season concludes, would you be interested in delving deeper into Kayce and Monica’s storyline?
As a dedicated fan, I’d leap at the opportunity if Taylor were to reach out with an idea that sparks our interest and inspires us to create together.
ASBILLE We’re in.
GRIMES I believe only Taylor could effectively tell this story and portray these characters authentically because it’s a subject close to him, so if he’s in charge, I’m all for it. It’s not meant to belittle other talented writers, but rather acknowledge that this narrative is uniquely his.
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In the upcoming weeks, episodes from season 5B of “Yellowstone” will air every Sunday at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network. Shortly after, at 10 p.m., there’ll be a broadcast premiere on CBS. If you want to stream it online, click here for the instructions, and don’t forget to check out THR’s post-premiere interview with director Christina Voros.
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2024-11-11 19:25