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- ‘Yellowstone‘ and the Elephant Not in the Room
- ‘Yellowstone’ Did the Best It Could Under the Circumstances
As a movie buff with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that ‘Yellowstone’ was a wild ride that left me both exhilarated and disheartened at the same time. Much like a rollercoaster that starts off strong but ends with a whimper, this show had all the makings of greatness but ultimately fell short in the end.
The journey started back in 2018, and since then, it’s grown to be recognized everywhere as a global phenomenon. Now an esteemed television empire, Yellowstone has spawned a magnificent franchise with numerous spin-offs still being developed. Throughout its run, it has amassed an impressive collection of awards and transformed its cast members, including creator Taylor Sheridan, into instant celebrities.
After five seasons of scintillating drama, the story of the Dutton brood, who were caught between the weight of their forebears and their actions, which were interwoven into the complex tapestry of the family’s internal dynamics, finally reached a conclusion. While the finale certainly generated as much buzz as anticipated among its hordes of fans, for many, it felt disappointing, especially knowing what could’ve been. Here’s why many fans feel hard done by Yellowstone’s ending and why it simply never lived up to expectations or the show’s potential.
‘Yellowstone’ and the Elephant Not in the Room
Does anyone else feel like we’ve experienced something similar to this before, not with “Game of Thrones,” but another massively popular series that gained notoriety for a significant departure? Back in 2011, we were deeply engrossed in a show that captivated the world for eight seasons. The majority of viewers agreed that it essentially revolved around one charismatic character, despite the presence of many other brilliant ones.
Unexpectedly, phrases such as “tiger’s blood” became widely popular, coinciding with the unfortunate departure of Charlie Sheen from the successful sitcom Two and a Half Men. Despite attempts to replace him, neither the show nor its energy and distinct charm could be replicated. Similarly, this predicament mirrors that of the series Yellowstone.
The series pulled off remarkable feats by bridging a wide gap and making traditional conservatism appear trendy in an environment that typically shuns such ideologies. However, many critics and viewers concurred that much of this achievement was primarily due to the captivating, charismatic, and genius portrayal of John Dutton III by Kevin Costner. This is why the series, despite all its previous brilliance, failed to make an impact in its conclusion. Without Costner, even with impressive performances from the rest of the cast, Yellowstone struggled to retain the same charm it once possessed, attempting to mask the absence of its leading star.
‘Yellowstone’ Did the Best It Could Under the Circumstances
The closing scene for season 5 of “Yellowstone” was well-executed, considering it’s a common standard for drama series finales. Despite the absence of its primary actor, the show held its ground. However, from season 4 onwards, it started to become clear to many viewers that something wasn’t quite right. This was followed by a flurry of hastily concluded storylines and an ending that seemed truncated or perhaps failed to live up to the magnificent build-up that preceded it.
When it came down to it, Kevin Costner’s gravitas as an actor and as the lead of the series for four and a half seasons was simply too important for the show, which many say was starting to run out of gas anyway. The spin-offs have continued to find success with big-name actors in other leading roles, like Harrison Ford in 1923 and Tim McGraw and Sam Elliot in 1883, but with Yellowstone, finding a truly satisfying ending couldn’t happen without at least a bit of Costner, who was absent for the entirety of Season 5B.
In the final analysis, characters like Beth and Jamie didn’t quite live up to their potential in telling their own stories without Kevin Costner. It’s possible that the series never truly ended since a spin-off featuring Beth and Rip is already underway. Just as a constant shadow follows the Dutton family, the show failed to move past the absence of Kevin Costner, leading it to decline. Regrettably, much like Charlie Harper, the rift between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner resulted in the viewers suffering the most. Yellowstone is available on Peacock.
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2024-12-18 05:33