As a longtime fan of the Yellowstone series, I must admit that I was left feeling rather underwhelmed by the finale. The show had built up so much tension and anticipation over the course of its run, and it seemed like the writers were setting us up for something truly epic in the final episode. However, in my humble opinion, they fell short on several key points that left a sour taste in my mouth.
Contains spoilers for “Yellowstone” Season 5, Episode 14 — “Life is a Promise”
Now that “Yellowstone” has finished its original run and will continue in the form of a spin-off titled “1883’s” companion series, it’s now appropriate to ponder over how the main series concluded its storyline permanently. Although the series received mixed to positive feedback from viewers, there have been numerous criticisms regarding the way Taylor Sheridan decided to end his modern Western saga with the episode titled “Life is a Promise.
Several aspects of “Life is a Promise” have sparked criticisms among viewers. For one, some fans felt dissatisfied with the way John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death was portrayed. Similarly, Jamie Dutton’s (Wes Bentley) prolonged struggle against his sister Beth (Kelly Reilly) seemed to conclude in a manner that left many viewers unsatisfied. Additionally, some criticized the seemingly predictable plot twists that unfolded throughout the series. Lastly, the depiction of Sheridan’s character as a self-proclaimed savior drew criticism for its perceived ego-stroking nature. To delve deeper: Here are five points that fans find most problematic about “Life is a Promise.
All Taylor Sheridan, all the time
When a TV mogul like Taylor Sheridan has achieved such a massive, critically acclaimed TV empire as he has, celebrating with a victory lap after wrapping up the flagship series feels understandable. However, the problem lies in that Sheridan’s self-congratulatory gestures take up significant parts of the “Yellowstone” finale, causing viewers to resent his character, Travis Wheatley, and perceive the excessive ego-stroking symbolized by Travis’ presence as unnecessary.
During the finale, Travis sits at a table in the bunkhouse and regales the entire cast of characters with stories of life on the range. Travis is also there to offer Teeter (Jennifer Landon) a job on his ranch, during which he mocks her accent to her face in a meta nod to the confusion that Landon’s head-scratching accent caused among fans. The previous episode was dedicated to making Teeter a sympathetic character in the wake of the death of her beloved, Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards), so not only does this moment turn the audience against Travis, it makes him look like a total jerk. It ends up being just one more Teeter scene that went too far.
Although this scene might be less excessive than the one from the previous episode (which included Bella Hadid portraying Travis’ girlfriend and scenes involving strip poker, alcohol, and pool parties), it could have been omitted as it appears to be an instance of self-aggrandizement that should not have made the final cut.
Abby’s endless concert scene
It seems surprising that with several storylines needing resolution in the finale of “Yellowstone,” there would be little room for excess in its duration. However, over six minutes are spent on Ryan (Ian Bohen) going to Abby’s (Lainey Wilson) concert to reconcile, which was his most regrettable moment on the show, having callously left her during Season 4. Though this development is essential for Ryan’s character growth and signifies a shift from cowboy life to handling equipment, it doesn’t necessitate the viewers watching an entire performance by Abby. Instead, we could focus on the impact of the reconciliation without needing to witness the full concert.
Of course, Wilson is a great singer, but it was just too much. This was story time that could’ve been spent on something more important than wrapping things up for this minor character. It’s time that could’ve been spent, for instance, on finding out how Jamie’s son is coping with his “disappearance” or filling in any of the show’s unexplained plot holes. Better yet, the last episode could have spent more time building a reasonable conflict between the Duttons and taking advantage of their highly-insulated sense of reality. In the end, this Abby scene is just another moment of drain circling.
The predictability of it all
Critics often argue that the latest season of “Yellowstone” lacked surprise due to its predictability. Even an alien from another dimension might have guessed Jamie’s demise was imminent. The twist where Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), sells the family ranch to Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) of the Broken Rock Reservation, a move that honors a century-old promise and relieves him of John Dutton’s legacy, is moving, but not unexpected. This turn of events can be attributed to one of John Dutton’s biggest mistakes: failing to plan for his own death and the estate taxes that ultimately threatened the land.
It’s predictable how every Dutton seems to escape punishment for their wrongdoings, given Taylor Sheridan’s affinity for certain characters that sometimes borders on excessive favoritism. It’s almost as if the entire team, marked by branded hands, prefers taking bribes over testifying against the Duttons. This pattern is clearly foreshadowed throughout the series. Despite the heavy hints suggesting a tragic event, Kayce and his family are allowed to continue their lives on a small reservation plot, while Beth and Rip (Cole Hauser) consider a move to Texas. Fans were expecting something more engaging instead.
Beth and Rip got off easy
It’s now indisputable that Taylor Sheridan has been leaning towards certain characters in “Yellowstone,” particularly Beth and Rip, as the series finale has made clear. Unlike other characters who face consequences for their actions, Beth and Rip seem to have learned nothing from their wrongdoings and instead are rewarded with a seemingly trouble-free ending. Their crimes against their adversaries go unpunished, and the “train station” mystery remains unsolved. This development is deeply unsatisfying, even more so considering that their actions became increasingly irritating during the latter seasons.
It’s such a weak and easy choice, and one that does a great disservice to the show at large. That’s not to say that people like Jamie and his paramour Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) are good people, of course, or that Jamie didn’t deserve to die for some of his crimes, which includes murdering an innocent journalist. But Beth and Rip should have been dealt more misfortune, something deeper than Rip having to cope with digging a grave for John Dutton by hand. They got off easy, and this leaves a sour taste in the mouth as the final credits roll.
Jamie Dutton deserved much better
In the finale, it was undeniably the Dutton wheel that received the most lubrication, suggesting an excessive amount of attention or treatment given to it. While some might argue Jamie Dutton deserved his fate, his demise still felt unsatisfying and premature. The long-awaited confrontation between Jamie and Beth finally unfolded, with Beth taking revenge for the most heinous act against her – allowing her to be sterilized after an abortion. Beth’s victory was sealed with Rip’s intervention (and a knife wound to the abdomen) and she even indulged in a victorious cigarette afterward. However, Jamie’s departure from the storyline in such a manner lacked the dramatic flair that a character of his significance deserved. If Beth and Kayce are granted the opportunity to navigate life without John’s constant guidance, then why not extend the same privilege to Jamie? Instead, he is punished for his acceptance of his father’s impending death – a man who was already plotting his own demise.
Beyond all these issues, the circumstances surrounding Jamie’s disappearance seem illogical. As the district attorney of Montana, it’s hard to swallow that he vanished due to domestic violence allegations from Beth, who isn’t exactly admired by the public. The Dutton family has been entangled in much more serious scandals — even the apparent murder of their head John Dutton — so Jamie leaving in such a way appears almost unrealistic. It’s here that the glaring plot holes exposed by John Dutton’s death become evident, weakening the overall series and producing a disappointing ending with numerous flaws.
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2024-12-18 16:00