Yellowstone fans have been left divided over the Western’s ending
*Warning: This contains spoilers for the finale of Yellowstone
Yellowstone viewers have been left conflicted over its epic final episode, branded a ‘letdown that never should have happened.’
On Sunday night, the megahit Taylor Sheridan series finally drew to a close with a feature-length mega episode after five seasons.
It ended with Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) selling his family’s ranch back to the Broken Rock Reservation, while Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) murdered her loathsome brother Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley).
However, some viewers were disappointed with Yellowstone’s conclusion, claiming that it was unsatisfying because all the characters ‘gave up’ their lives’ work to ‘head off into the sunset.’
Among them was X user @eazyrooster, who complained: ‘The #YellowstoneTV finale was one of the worst series finales I’ve ever seen. Just incredibly lazy hack writing.’
Agreeing, @TDPR68 argued: ‘This entire last season of #YellowstoneTV was such a letdown. Years of fighting & sacrifice & they all give up & give the ranch away & go off into the sunset. They should have recast the role of John Dutton & finished it right without the useless Taylor Sheridan character.’
@Kristine_Froeba moaned: ‘#YellowstoneTV finale was a letdown that never should’ve happened. Sheridan ruined the best series on TV. Worse, he inserted himself and his wooden, blowhard character in the finale.’
Echoing their sentiment, @CeliaLauer added: One of the biggest let downs since Lost. And I never watched Lost lol. He ruined the show IMHO. It was so rushed. Certain things should/could have been left out the last 3 episodes so the important things were rushed. And taking about the house at the end. That just sucked!’
However, many Yellowstone were in disagreement and praised the conclusion, with @Judy80sforever writing: ‘Everyone got what they wanted in life. It was the perfect ending. #YellowstoneTV.’
@MovieManiac89 said: ‘Well that was a satisfying finale. Wrapped everything up. Congrats to the cast & crew. You made one hell of a show. #YellowstoneTV.’
The ending of Yellowstone is not the only moment from season 5 that has attracted controversy from fans after they became enraged by John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) ‘insulting’ exit.
The 69-year-old formally announced in June that he would not be returning to Yellowstone to play his iconic character despite featuring heavily in the trailer for the fifth and final season.
Instead, his character was killed off early on in Yellowstone’s last instalment and died by suicide.
Although the actor wasn’t shown, the scene revealed a body lying in a bathroom at the Montana governor’s mansion next to a gun with Jamie then announcing his father’s death.
This end disappointed fans who felt John ‘deserved a better goodbye.’
John Dutton was a fantastic character, and despite the Kevin Costner drama, he deserved a better goodbye than Yellowstone gave him. #YellowstoneTV,’ said AustinPlanet on X.
‘Even thought we know KEVIN COSTNER wasn’t supposed to come back for the rest of #Yellowstone. The way to end his character was just dumbfounded and lazy. Could’ve been a better way or he just could’ve rode off into the sunset. #YellowstoneTV,’ Mrfilmstock added.
Kevin’s character John was killed off early in season 5 (Picture: Paramount Global 2024)
The first series of Yellowstone launched in 2018 and it has picked up a large following over the years, with Costner earning a Golden Globe for best performance in a drama television series last year.
A series of spin-offs have been created, including prequels 1883, featuring Sam Elliott, and 1923, starring Harrison Ford and Dame Helen Mirren.
Kelly and Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler, have also signed deals to lead another spin-off series after the end of Yellowstone, according to reports.
Yellowstone is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
Best TV series of all time ruined by ‘worst finale in history’