Yellowstone
An intense and thrilling family saga that invites us to fall in love with a cowboy lifestyle in danger of extinction.
Synopsis
Yellowstone is the story of the Dutton family, owners of one of Montana's largest ranches. As the series unfolds, we delve into how the family tries to maintain control of their land while facing various threats: industries seeking industrialization, the relationship with Native American reservations, intense family conflicts, among others. At the center of the saga, the patriarch John Dutton is called upon to risk everything to save the family legacy within the framework of the impressive American West.
What I Liked
The Dutton family members and their flawed yet fascinating personalities are responsible for constantly engaging and surprising us. Their raw, strong, and sometimes despicable personalities manage to amaze, evoke admiration, and stir emotions. Without a doubt, a tremendous merit to both the writers and the actors.
The large number of supporting characters, such as the cowboys, members of the government, the Native American reservation, and others, help create an environment that feels alive and dynamic, forging a close connection with the viewer.
Montana and its breathtaking landscapes adorn each episode with admirable and meticulous cinematography, becoming a raw and powerful love letter to the arid and challenging state of Montana, and the difficult lives of those who inhabit it.
Yellowstone combines family drama, political intrigue, raw criminal cases, and survival against a nature in danger in a balanced and interesting way. But overall is a homage and exposition of the modern cowboy culture and the quite different way to approach life. The love for the land, the nature, the sacrifice, the gatherings, family and of course, good times with music and drinks.
What Could Be Better
As is to be expected in a series that develops progressively according to its success and the feedback from its viewers, the conflicts in the early episodes are simpler and their resolutions sometimes cruder. However, as the series finds its way and the dynamics and characters develop with greater complexity, the rhythm and themes are consolidated in a better way.
Despite being a family story, the strong personality and development of a couple of characters caused that some of the challenges that other members experience to lose strength and interest.
There is a clear moral conflict alongside how the survival of the Dutton family and those close to them is executed, where there are no heroes or innocents, only the instinct to survive at all costs in an environment that constantly lurks and endangers the protagonists.
Unfortunately, the ending, although satisfactory, feels abrupt and rushed. Which in a series of five seasons is more than enough. Despite this, it is all too evident that the series underwent a closing process that forced the narrative team to cut and finalize in a way that could have been more elegant.
My Insight
When I was told that the series starring Kevin Costner was like "A Succession with horses," it wasn't a bad definition. However, although the family dynamics are comparable, it falls short in the setting, passion, and resilience of the American West.
Yellowstone is not just a family drama; it is also a fantastic way of getting to know and enjoy the hard-working culture of modern American cowboys, who find themselves in a world that considers them part of the past. Where a visceral view of work, the way they relate, recreation, the hardships of the environment, the unwavering commitment, and constant effort is presented with an enormous level of admiration and respect. And it is thanks to this that this series has become the starting point of an entire universe created by Taylor Sheridan around a fascinating culture that, like the Yellowstone culture, refuses to die.
Rating ⭐9/10
A modern family Western, with strong characters, intense conflicts, and the celebration of a fascinating cowboy culture that struggles to survive the complexities of modern times.
Extras
Other Interesting Taylor Sheridan series.
1883 (2021-2022) A Yellowstone Prequel
1923 (2002-2025) The Second Yellowstone Prequel
Major of Kingstown (2021-Present) A prison drama.
Tulsa King (2022-Present) A lighthearted Mafia story set in Tulsa.
Special Ops: Lioness (2023-Present) An international espionage Thriller.
For Discussion
Yellowstone explores the concept of survival and even explicitly indicates that the Yellowstone business is not a viable business according to modern times. On the other hand, it presents a way of life that has a lot to salvage, and when faced with modernization, it is difficult to assume its eventual and logical fall.
How reasonable is it to maintain a culture and way of life over the intentions of modernization and progress of a country? Where is it logical to draw a coherent line?
Technical Details
Release Date: 2018 - 2025
Creators and Writers: Taylor Sheridan, John Linson
Main Cast: Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser
Runtime: 53 episodes of 40-50 minutes each in 5 seasons.
Genre: Western, Drama, Neo-Western
Rating: TV-MA
Distributor: Paramount
Where to Watch: Paramount+ (S1-S5) and Netflix (S1-S4).