As a longtime fan of Yellowstone and someone who has been fortunate enough to follow the show since its inception, I must say that this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. The way Taylor Sheridan and his team have crafted the stories for each character, especially Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton, has left me in awe.
“Warning: The account I’m about to share is filled with twists from the near-ending episode of Yellowstone Season 5b, titled ‘Give the World Away.’ “
Only one more episode of “Yellowstone” remains for now, as season 5B, which is currently airing, has been announced as the final season of the Paramount Network’s flagship series. However, discussions about a potential season 6 featuring beloved stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have emerged, leaving the fate of TV’s top-rated show uncertain. But one thing is clear: next week will undoubtedly shape the enduring legacy of the Yellowstone ranch that lies at the core of the show.
In last Sunday’s episode titled “Give the World Away,” co-creator Taylor Sheridan penned the script and was ably directed by executive producer Michael Friedman. The episode served as a spotlight for Sheridan, who also plays Texas horse trainer Travis in the series. This week, we saw Sheridan reprise his role as Travis when Beth Dutton (Reilly), daughter of the late John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner), visited his ranch, which was filmed at Sheridan’s real-life Bosque Ranch. Beth is concerned about Travis’ loyalty towards the Yellowstone, and her visit offers viewers a glimpse into Travis’ life, filled with strip poker games involving his girlfriend (portrayed by guest star Bella Hadid), impressive horse-riding skills, and ultimately, a significant financial contribution that the struggling ranch desperately needed.
Christina Voros, executive producer and director of four episodes in season 5B, expressed delight to The Hollywood Reporter about Taylor enjoying himself authentically on Bosque Ranch sets. Voros further noted that Hadid, a Texas resident, was the ideal choice for portraying his screen partner due to his connection with the Western lifestyle as both a writer and a cowboy. ‘Taylor,’ Voros said, ‘is renowned for writing captivating American Western tales, but he’s also deeply involved in living the cowboy life, balancing his time between this aspect of his personality and his writing.’
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this:
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In this conversation, we’re discussing the first episode from season 5B that you didn’t direct. Since you are an executive producer and the one responsible for guarding the scripts, how frequently did your presence extend to the set during its filming?
I frequently attended due to our proximity to wrapping up and everyone’s desire to be present as much as they could. Michael Friedman is a cherished friend and an exceptional director, having been an integral member of Taylor Sheridan’s creative inner circle since day one. He’s contributed significantly to the show since its inception, serving as producer and overseeing post-production across all of Taylor’s projects. This past year, he began producing on shows like ‘Landman’ and ‘Lioness’, before directing this episode of ‘Yellowstone’. It was truly heartwarming to have him back at the helm since he’s been an essential part of the show’s essence from its inception.
Filming this episode was a bit chaotic due to cross-boarding. Since I had already directed the first four episodes, I didn’t have much time to prepare as we didn’t follow the usual shooting sequence; Michael directed this episode, and there were still parts of episodes 509, 510, and 511 that needed to be filmed. This allowed me some prep time, but I wanted to spend as much time on set as possible because it was a special moment for me working with Michael again, and also because this episode encapsulates the essence of Yellowstone. It’s grand, cinematic, features horses, evokes strong emotions, and highlights all the poetic elements that the show is known for.
In our previous discussion about your clandestine filming techniques, you mentioned having to capture extensive scenes with extras and shooting decoy sequences to maintain secrecy. This week’s episode featured such broad scenes set at the Dutton family’s Yellowstone ranch. Was this the significant episode you had in mind during that conversation?
One of the significant instances occurred. Various aspects during the season mirrored this situation, such as in Jamie’s [Wes Bentley] environment, where press conferences took place and similar issues surfaced. However, it was undeniably the most substantial attempt to tackle the question: How can we effectively incorporate all the talented background actors crucial for narrating our stories, while ensuring that no one inadvertently reveals something they witnessed on set after work hours?
Michael and his first assistant director, Kristina Massie, did an exceptional job on the episode, particularly in devising strategies to keep background actors distracted. The focus was less on the people themselves and more on how the scenes were filmed. They were clever about what needed to be captured with hundreds of extras present and what could be shot in a way that gave the impression of a large crowd, even when in reality they were not. This episode likely showcases the great lengths everyone went to maintain the story’s secrecy, with Michael and Kristina ensuring the key details remained confidential.
At the conclusion of this episode, John Dutton (portrayed by the late Kevin Costner) and Colby Mayfield (played by Denim Richards) were both honored in a public display. This event took place in front of a large crowd, where it’s likely that numerous extras overheard significant plot spoilers about the show, as it had recently been revealed who some of the characters were no longer alive. Can you share how this scene was filmed?
The difference between the sound heard on the show compared to its original recording was emphasized, with extras not able to hear all dialogue. Additionally, there seemed to be an alternate script employed for broader shots, lacking specific details, which was then replaced with the actual track during closer coverage.
You mentioned the secret term used in the script to disguise John Dutton’s demise, where you replaced his name with a pseudonym and referred to his death scene as “Crosby’s arrival.” What were the secret terms you used in the script for the deaths of both Colby and Sarah Atwood, played by Dawn Olivieri?
Instead of using “Colby’s arrival” and “Sarah arrives,” we opted for a consistent approach, referring to both as simply “the arrival.” This term is neutral and straightforward, making it suitable for various contexts like call sheets without causing any confusion or raising concerns.
Could it be that someone else is coming too… Now, tell me, were the scenes for Travis’ ranch filmed at Taylor Sheridan’s actual ranch?
In the show, Travis runs Bosque Ranch, which is Taylor’s ranch in Weatherford, Texas.
In a 2023 feature article, THR delved into Taylor Sheridan’s life as an equestrian, highlighting his ownership of Bosque Ranch and the iconic 6666 Ranch in Texas. For viewers unaware of Sheridan’s personal history, what was your reaction upon discovering that he would exhibit this aspect of himself in Yellowstone? The atmosphere on set was electrifying, especially during scenes featuring Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Bella Hadid (Travis’ girlfriend). Did you happen to be present for the filming of Travis’ scenes?
It turns out I wasn’t present during the filming of some particular scenes, as they were among the final scenes produced for the series. These scenes were filmed in August, a time when I was already preparing for The Madison, the Yellowstone sequel series. However, regarding Travis’ role, it was delightful to witness Taylor once more, experiencing a full-circle moment, enjoying himself in a manner that beautifully echoed life imitating art and vice versa. This was because the scenes were shot on a location that he had built himself. He is renowned for crafting great American Western TV sagas, but he’s also an avid cowboy and expert horseman, dedicating equal time to both aspects of his personality and lifestyle. It was truly fascinating to observe the intersection of the fictional world he created with his actual life as a rancher and horseman. The blend of these two realms was quite intriguing.
Did Sheridan manage to highlight his preference for using genuine cowboys in Yellowstone during the production of this episode, particularly in the Bosque Ranch scenes with numerous extras?
It all comes back to his sort of obsessions with authenticity. You can’t teach an actor to get on a horse and do magnificent things on horseback. He’s a firm believer that there are more cowboys who can act than there are actors who can cowboy. So he’s given roles to so many people. You see it in the Four Sixes work [on Yellowstone]: Dusty Burson is a tremendous cowboy and a pretty decent actor; Kory Pounds is an incredible cowboy, and a pretty decent actor! He’s done this with my husband [Jason Owen], who has been a wrangler on the show for many years. Taylor gave him a part as a detective — he’s the sidekick to the main detective. So he is the detective in the opening of the season 5B premiere who shows Kayce (Luke Grimes) where John Dutton (Kevin Costner) has been shot.
One of Taylor’s recurring traits is his appreciation for being involved in projects like these, as he finds them enjoyable. It seems he’s on the hunt for chances to involve some cowboys due to their genuine nature, which is hard to beat. However, it’s also exciting to suggest that Cole Palfreyman, another experienced wrangler and horseman Taylor has collaborated with for years, join his cast in the Bass Reeves series on Paramount+. This is something he often does; I recall during season four of COVID, when he gave roles to many crew members. For instance, my long-time key grip, Craig Sullivan, was cast as a glass repairman. This practice has been present since the beginning, and in an episode like this, there’s even more justification for casting people you know as horsemen as horsemen.
To some spectators, Bella Hadid may appear as a case of stunt casting. However, it’s worth noting that she resides in Texas and is dating champion equestrian Adan Banuelos. I’m curious to find out if the role of Travis’ girlfriend was specifically written for her.
From what I understand, it seemed like the role was filled without a traditional casting process. By the time I learned about the casting, it had already been decided that it was her for the part. I’m not sure when the decision was made, but it appears they wanted to maintain a sense of familiarity. She was exceptionally skilled for the role and an absolute delight as a person. It’s inspiring to meet celebrities who are genuinely kind and humble, and she certainly fit that description.
In this latest episode, fans have been eager to learn more about Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) relationship with his son, Jamie Jr., and Christina, his son’s mother, who was once a political consultant. This time around, we see Jamie reaching out to them again. To clarify, just how active is Jamie in his role as a father?
The question you’ve posed is complex due to the organic nature of the storytelling in the show, which doesn’t follow a rigid plan but instead evolves from the characters themselves. Taylor, the writer, doesn’t map out each season on Excel spreadsheets from the beginning. Instead, each season’s plot, threat, and drama emerge organically as he writes. This current season focuses on Jamie not as a father, but as a son.
In this latest installment, a woman influences Jamie once more to take another leap, and as the story concludes, Christina guides him towards delivering an influential political speech. I thought Jamie had no tricks left up his sleeve. As we approach the finale, how is the narrative subtly positioning Jamie so that we can’t completely write him off yet?
Jamie often proves to be the most intellectually capable individual in any given setting, and I believe his ability to persevere through various highs and lows, as well as seemingly imminent endings in his political career, can be attributed to the wisdom of many women who support him. These individuals have stood by him during times when he doubted himself. However, Jamie is exceptionally skilled at public speaking and oratory skills. When he finds a winning idea, he excels at weaving intricate narratives around it, a skill he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career. In essence, this situation illustrates the art of grasping a lifeline and skillfully crafting something substantial from it, potentially offering him an opportunity to escape from situations that seemed devoid of any rescue options.
It appears that Kayce (Luke Grimes), Beth (Kelly Reilly), and their family are close to finding a solution to save their ranch. In the latest episode, Kayce suggests they must “give it away” to preserve it, which might foreshadow a significant turn in the finale of Yellowstone. This plot twist is reminiscent of a scene from the prequel 1883, where James Dutton (Tim McGraw’s character) was warned by a Native tribal leader that the Dutton family ranch would be reclaimed in seven generations – a prophecy that could potentially come to pass in the final episodes. If the show does choose to follow this full-circle setup, it would involve returning the land to the Native tribes, offering a somewhat optimistic conclusion for Yellowstone’s gritty narrative. Let’s discuss how this potential resolution might play out within the context of the series.
As a devoted fan, I must confess that Yellowstone hasn’t traditionally been about fairy tale conclusions, but let me tell you, Taylor Sheridan has skillfully transformed this series into an intricate intergenerational narrative. The layers of complexity he’s introduced make the Dutton saga all the more captivating and engaging. It’s challenging to predict where these threads will lead, given the numerous connections woven between the worlds. So, in my opinion, Yellowstone, within the grand historical tapestry Taylor has been weaving, serves as the heart of this saga. However, the storylines are branching out from it in countless ways. (P.S. Keep an eye out for another prequel series, 1923.)
Should the land be returned, Rip and Beth might embark on their next exciting journey (Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are discussing a potential sixth season of Yellowstone). It’s hard to believe we’re already contemplating the series finale. As for next week’s episode, I guess there’s not much to add.
Man, I must admit, this twist caught me off guard! The rapid pace and the fact we’re at the last episode now just goes to show how intricate and unpredictable the plot has been all along. It’s a testament to the anticipation building for the grand finale. Designing a final episode for a six-season arc is no easy task, but I’m excited about what’s ahead. In many ways, it seems like as much ground will be covered in the finale as has been laid over the course of the story so far. The weight and complexity that this epic tale deserves is there, ready to unfold in a way that will leave us all talking for years to come!
In simpler terms,
The finale left me utterly astonished, as I hadn’t anticipated it at all. This might ring a bell from one of our past conversations, but let me elaborate: the ending of an outstanding tale often appears both startling and predestined in hindsight, yet you can’t fathom its inevitability until you reach that point. It’s only when looking back that everything falls into place. However, if you had peered into the future, you wouldn’t have foreseen it. That’s the enchanting aspect of storytelling, and I believe Taylor has masterfully achieved this with the finale. Upon reading the script, I was left breathless. Despite being immersed in this world since season one, knowing the characters inside out, having a close relationship with the creator, and living this story more than any other in my life, I was still caught off guard. Regrettably, I didn’t predict it. But indeed, I didn’t see it coming.
This has been a heroic season for Kayce — which makes me nervous going into the finale!
Let’s discuss Luke for a moment. I agree with your assessment: I believe this season was outstanding for him. The writing for Luke was exceptional, but what struck me the most is how Kayce has been a silent hero, often overshadowed by his father. This season, in the absence of the patriarch, everyone had to take on more responsibility. With Kevin [Costner] not around, the rest of the cast had a big role to fill, and they did an amazing job, particularly Luke. The weight of the story this season was heavy on him, and he carried it so gracefully and convincingly – it’s been a pleasure to watch. The acting challenge he faced this season – he has handled it with such skill and ease – it’s a truly exceptional performance from him this year. I’m delighted to see that people are falling in love with where his character has gone this season, because I am too.
Did this week’s events function as John Dutton’s funeral, or is that still to come?
You’re going to have to watch next week.
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Yellowstone releases its finale Sunday at 8 p.m. on Paramount Network, followed by a linear premiere on CBS at 10 p.m. Head here for how to stream Yellowstone and read THR‘s season 5B coverage including more on Sheridan’s cowboy episode.
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2024-12-10 02:55