Two Big Ways Yellowstone Has Already Tarnished The Reputation Of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton With Final Episodes

Two Big Ways Yellowstone Has Already Tarnished The Reputation Of Kevin Costner's John Dutton With Final Episodes

As a long-time Yellowstone enthusiast who’s witnessed more episodes than I can count on one hand, it feels like Taylor Sheridan has taken a sledgehammer to the very foundations of John Dutton’s character. It’s as if he’s been systematically dismantling this iconic figure, piece by piece, leaving us fans bewildered and shocked at every turn.


As a dedicated fan who religiously follows every episode of Yellowstone without fail, I must warn my fellow enthusiasts: if you haven’t watched the latest installment yet, beware! Spoilers lie ahead that could potentially shatter your viewing experience. Trust me; I speak from personal experience, and I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on the raw emotions and suspense that unfold in each episode. So, tread carefully if you haven’t caught up with the latest happenings on the ranch yet!

After a long break, the first three episodes of Yellowstone have returned, and they managed to write off John Dutton’s character in a way that didn’t require the participation of previous lead actor Kevin Costner, who left the western series due to scheduling conflicts. It’s unusual for a TV show to successfully handle a main character’s permanent exit without the star being involved, and we’ll have to wait and see if Yellowstone can pull it off convincingly.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to admit, I’m finding myself in an unexpected twist with the Dutton patriarch, John, taking quite a beating in the narrative. With each new episode, it seems like Taylor Sheridan is chiseling away at John’s imposing, unyielding influence that once seemed invincible. Honestly, I’m not complaining, for I find myself as intrigued by the unfolding drama among the siblings as I am stunned by how this storyline is unfolding.

However, it’s important to consider and discuss the two most significant impacts these episodes have had on John’s character perception from a spectator standpoint. These aspects might not receive satisfactory resolution before the series ends, much like how the Sarah Atwood fake name storyline in Yellowstone may remain unresolved.

Two Big Ways Yellowstone Has Already Tarnished The Reputation Of Kevin Costner's John Dutton With Final Episodes

John Was Apparently Gaslighting Summer About House Arrest Just For Sex And Company

In “The Apocalypse of Change,” Kelly Reilly displayed a strong expression of bewilderment when Beth, for the second time, encountered Piper Perabo’s Summer in the present timeline. As anticipated, Beth wished to distance herself from her late father’s companion, who defended her presence by stating that she was bound by house arrest.

Currently, Beth disclosed a fact that strongly implies legal action or a successful court case. In her own words, she stated:

It’s clear that there’s no leniency with fine print, isn’t it? He suggested house arrest as a way to keep you close, and surprisingly, you obeyed. You didn’t consult a lawyer about the situation, nor did you carefully examine your own release papers – the ones clearly marked ‘released.’

To ensure a fitting farewell for Summer, the story takes an unexpected turn, avoiding the possibility of her becoming an old, neglected plot point. However, whether this twist was part of the original plan or not, it significantly changes John’s character from a likable gentleman to a manipulative kidnapper. While many found John’s initial decision to take Summer in questionable, most would find his deception about being under house arrest downright unsettling and borderline malicious.

Additionally, the notion that Beth knew the truth about Summer’s situation all along but chose to let the deception persist because her father was more amiable when he was regularly receiving companionship is questionable. If anything, given her strong-willed nature, it would be more plausible for Beth to have barged in on John and Summer during their intimate moment on Night #1 with legal documents in hand, aiming to remove the woman from the ranch permanently.

If a class action lawsuit arises involving the Dutton family and Yellowstone, Summer’s involvement will likely be prominent. However, assuming no such lawsuit occurs, let’s consider other instances where John may have told damaging or deceitful stories.

Two Big Ways Yellowstone Has Already Tarnished The Reputation Of Kevin Costner's John Dutton With Final Episodes

John Was Killed In His Sleep And Couldn’t Fight For His Life

John Dutton is the type of man who, after being severely wounded and hospitalized, showed an inclination to reject most subsequent medical care, and astonishingly returned to riding his horse, even if it meant compromising its condition. It’s said that Kevin Costner requested or insisted on a “moral demise” for the character during pre-production discussions. Many viewers like myself may have anticipated John meeting a literal fiery end, perhaps surrounded by cattle and horses standing upright, applauding with their front hooves.

It’s incredibly surprising that the show decided to end John’s life by finding him asleep, carrying him clumsily into a bathroom, shooting him fatally in the head without regaining consciousness, and leaving his body beside the toilet. There are ways to be undignified, but this takes it to another level.

In the absence of Kevin Costner for filming, it was challenging for Taylor Sheridan to find creative ways to write off John’s character. Instead of direct confrontation or dialogue, perhaps an incident like a staged car accident or a fire and explosion could have been used to eliminate him. These scenarios would avoid unnecessary speculation about his leg bruises being due to mere clumsiness or age-related falls.

I think there are several other plot directions Taylor Sheridan could have gone to put John to rest that would have been slightly more dignified. Although I guess by pinning that turn of fate on Jamie whimsically voicing his wish for John’s demise, any amount of dignity was already left at the door next to the pile of boots.

The premiere of “Desire Is All You Need,” marking the start of this final chapter, attracted the show’s largest viewership so far. However, it’s uncertain if John’s death will significantly affect these numbers when the finale airs. If more seasons were in the pipeline, longtime fans might abandon ship. But with just a handful of episodes left, it seems wise to stick around and see this journey through until we reach the final destination.

After giving it some more consideration, it seems best for us to get off this path until we’ve left the city behind once more. Oh, and remember that “Yellowstone” has its latest episodes airing every Sunday night on the Paramount Network, starting at 8:00 p.m. sharp!

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2024-11-26 03:37