As ‘Yellowstone’ ends, TV’s hottest franchise keeps growing. But not without growing pains
As a longtime fan of gripping dramas that delve deep into the complexities of human nature, I must say that “Yellowstone” has been a captivating journey for me. Having grown up on ranches myself, I can relate to the rugged individualism and raw emotions portrayed in this series. It’s not just about cattle rustling or family feuds; it’s about survival, power struggles, and the unyielding spirit of those who tame the wild frontier.
With great enthusiasm, the actors and production team of “Yellowstone” rejoiced as they gathered once more to film the concluding episodes of television’s most popular scripted show.
A sneak peek entitled “Behind the Curtain: The Grand Comeback” showed various actors reuniting, having taken a break of almost two years from filming.
Christina Alexandra Voros, the cinematographer and main director of the Western-style drama, recounted to The Times that while the family reunion aspect was exciting, it also presented fresh hurdles. She emphasized the importance of keeping the series’ plot twists under wraps until the finale.
In the four-minute piece, it was not explicitly stated, but a significant hurdle for “Yellowstone” remained unaddressed: finding a way to keep the series going without Kevin Costner, its lead actor and central figure, who left after the initial part of the final season due to alleged logistical and creative disagreements with co-creator Taylor Sheridan.
Television
Reilly’s vivid depiction of Beth Dutton, the wealthy rancher’s daughter on screen, leaves viewers believing she embodies the role. At times, she even yearns to be like her character.
The future of John Dutton, the wealthy and gruffly-voiced rancher portrayed by Costner, was unclear until the season premiere on November 10th, which attracted a record-breaking audience of 21 million viewers across Paramount networks. Since then, subsequent episodes have shown the Dutton family struggling with their patriarch’s absence and frantically trying to prevent their sprawling Montana ranch from sliding into financial disaster.
Spectators are preparing themselves for the thrilling final showdown on Sunday, where it seems that the long-standing conflict between characters Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, and her brother Jamie, portrayed by Wes Bentley, will reach its climax.
It’s the culmination of a years-long journey from scrappy cable drama — one passed on by a number of potential homes before landing at Paramount — into the flagship of a sprawling multi-platform franchise with sizable red-state appeal. Since premiering in 2018, “Yellowstone,” anchored by Costner’s weather-beaten grit and fueled by complex family dynamics, the setting’s majestic beauty and plenty of sex and violence, has defied the structural headwinds facing cable television. It has already birthed two hit spinoffs, “1883” and “1923,” the latter starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren and set to return for a second season next year. There’s also upcoming series “The Madison” featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, a fleet of other Sheridan-branded projects and now a “Yellowstone” sequel centered on Beth and her husband, boss ranch hand Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser).
While Sheridan is the main figurehead, allies such as Voros, David Glasser who serves as showrunner and executive producer, and Chris McCarthy from Paramount have all contributed significantly to the growth of this franchise, overcoming both internal and external obstacles along the way.
Glasser remarked, “This instance is a mix of sweet and bitter.” He attributes McCarthy’s vision and investment in Sheridan for turning a small success into a nine-show fictional universe. From the very beginning, Taylor had a clear plan for the show’s conclusion. Just like any other endeavor, this show has experienced an extraordinary journey filled with astonishing storylines. We have faced some mind-boggling challenges, from strikes to COVID to countless other obstacles that allowed the show to thrive.
Voros found it challenging to summarize seven years shared with a group of artists in just a few terms, as we’ve lived through a significant part of our lives together. Reflecting on the past, it feels like a collection of memories, a unique scent that lingers for all of us involved.
As a cinephile, I find myself in agreement with director Glasser’s sentiments. The narrative we’ve been following has reached a natural juncture, one that feels fitting for its evolution. It’s as if the closing chapter of this story has arrived, and I believe the timing could not be more perfect.
Despite achieving significant acclaim, this newfound success has also led to increased examination. In fact, during the latter part of the final season, although it managed to maintain its rating lead from the premiere, it faced criticism from some viewers and critics who were disappointed by certain plot twists.
The most debatable incident was the portrayal of John Dutton’s death as a suicide, orchestrated by assassins. This event sparked similar intrigue to the “Who Shot J.R.?” mystery, but left many viewers dissatisfied due to the graphic nature of his demise. This ending effectively ruled out any speculation that Costner could make a comeback, as his name still appears in the opening credits.
Glasser recollected a conversation on the phone between him and Sheridan, where Costner stated that he wouldn’t be returning to the series.
Glasser stated that Taylor needed to decide on the fate of the John Dutton character. Taylor’s creative approach is unique and brilliant, enabling him to make the best decisions for each situation. Though it’s never pleasant when a compelling character meets their end, look at the viewership numbers – viewers didn’t abandon us after the first episode. So if there were any frustrations, they seem to have been overcome as people became curious about where the story would lead next.
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I found it intriguing how much buzz there was about John Dutton’s demise. It speaks volumes about the legendary character Taylor crafted that when the man portraying him declared he wouldn’t return, people refused to believe it. They craved more of him. The uproar over his death? Absolutely expected. His kids were just as upset. You should be too.
Viewers accustomed to the variety that’s been characteristic of shows like “Yellowstone” and spin-offs such as “Lawman: Bass Reeves,” featuring David Oyelowo, and “Lioness,” with Zoe Saldaña and Morgan Freeman, were equally saddened by the demise of Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards), the lone Black cowboy on the Dutton ranch, who was unfortunately crushed by a wild stallion while saving teenager Carter (Finn Little). However, this character’s exit was part of several surprising plot twists to maintain the storyline’s intensity, not as a reflection of any shift in the franchise’s dedication to diversity.
Sheridan stands out as a highly inclusive filmmaker, with a wide variety of individuals both on-screen and off-screen, according to Glasser’s remarks.
Lately, Sheridan has become the center of attention, with the second-to-last episode featuring him extensively as the skilled horse trainer character, Travis Wheatley, a role he’s played multiple times throughout the years.
A significant portion of the episode unfolds during Beth’s trip to Wheatley’s ranch in Texas, where she encounters Wheatley’s girlfriend, portrayed by Bella Hadid. Upon entering, Beth discovers Wheatley and a group of cowboys engaged in a game of strip poker, along with several partially undressed women. Later sequences highlight Sheridan’s equestrian abilities and athletic physique. At one point, Beth remarks, “You are such an a–hole, it’s almost appealing,” to which Wheatley responds, “I understand where you’re coming from.” He then adds, “It’s sort of my charm.
While many fans found pleasure in the guest appearance, critics were less favorable, even going so far as to call it a “desperate plea.
According to Glasser, it appears that viewers are fond of the Wheatley character based on social media posts. When bringing closure to all the show’s characters, it was essential to give a satisfying conclusion to this particular character as well.
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It’s normal for any series drawing 20 million viewers in the digital era to face criticism, and Voros expected this diversity of responses to the final season: “It’s somewhat predictable. When you develop a show with such a massive fanbase, everyone has their own perspective on how it should conclude.
It’s yet uncertain if “Yellowstone” will successfully conclude with its finale on Sunday, but there’s little doubt that as a widely appreciated drama airing amid growing political division and media fragmentation, the series will leave a lasting impact. Its influence – spanning the numerous shows it has spawned – is expected to persist long after the conclusion of the Dutton family’s storyline.
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but share my excitement about the upcoming sequel of Beth-Rip, even though there’s no definite release date yet. However, what I’ve heard from the showrunner gives me hope: “It seems that audiences appreciate the idea of Beth and Rip reappearing in some form, and that’s pleasing to us.” For now, I find contentment in this momentary pause, knowing that the story is still unfolding.
He expressed his great joy,” he said, “because of how well the audience has responded to the show, and also about the path that Taylor has crafted in the current timeline, as well as how perfectly he tied up all loose ends as usual.
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2024-12-13 14:36