“The ending sucked!” Fans have said that about many great shows over the years. After several chapters of great storytelling, events are always likely to wrap up in a manner that doesn’t please the fans. But that’s understandable. It’s never easy to craft a good conclusion to a fictional story. So many factors have to be considered, and while doing so, it’s easy to mess things up. For a TV show, behind-the-scenes factors could also contribute to a poor ending. Luckily, in the age of TV franchises, it has become a lot easier to fix a bad ending. Game of Thrones is doing that successfully with its spin-off shows, especially A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and Yellowstone is also taking the same route with The Madison and a few other upcoming offshoots. As long as a show is popular, the creators can always make new shows to kill the pain left by a bad finale or final season.
Why Is ‘Yellowstone’s Ending Controversial?
Yellowstone’s ending (the entire Season 5B) left fans dissatisfied. The absence of the show’s antihero, John Dutton, was the biggest problem. The character had to be killed off because of Kevin Costner’s behind-the-scenes disagreements with Taylor Sheridan. While the move made sense, it felt unrealistic for John to go out the way he did, given how wise and cautious he had been the entire series. No matter how well the story is spun, the departure of a show’s key character never sits well with fans. What if Walter White or Tony Soprano died before the finale? Unacceptable!
The Yellowstone ranch’s resolution wasn’t satisfactory, either. Kayce Dutton chose to sell it to the Native American leader Thomas Rainwater for $1.25 per acre, the original purchase price revealed in the prequel 1883. The only condition was that the land wouldn’t be given out to private developers. While this felt like a noble move, it was also abrupt and illogical. Some fans even labeled it “woke” because it rubbished the Duttons’ multi-decade fight to keep their land. Jamie Dutton’s death at the hands of his sibling, Beth, also left a bad taste. Following a bloody fight, Beth kills Jamie, and his body is disposed of at the “Train Station” (mainly reserved for enemies). Sure, Jamie was annoying, but he was a tragic character who deserved to be understood rather than punished. Even worse, events in the Yellowstone finale unfolded quickly after what was mainly a slow-burning season. And why did Taylor Sheridan insert himself in so many episodes? Sure, he’s the boss, but it felt forced.
‘Marshals’ Fixes Minor ‘Yellowstone’ Problems
Marshals, which is currently occupying the second position on the Paramount+ streaming chart, might not fix some of the biggest problems created by Yellowstone’s final season. However, it cleans up the tiny stains. For example, in the parent show’s finale, Kayce Dutton wasn’t given enough attention. Instead, the focus was on the Beth vs. Jamie feud. Now Kayce is at the center of the proceedings and uses his Navy SEAL skills to clean up Montana as no lawman has done before.
Also, the spinoff continues the “Broken Rock” storyline, introducing new environmental and political threats to the reservation. Things are heated right from the pilot episode with the introduction of a mining conflict. Yellowstone pushed Chief Thomas Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty in the final episodes to create more space for the Duttons. The offshoot brings them back and significantly expands their roles. Fans who hated the slow-burn nature of Yellowstone’s final season also have something to smile about. Like other police procedurals, Marshals is an action-packed show, with well-choreographed chases and shootouts. This makes it more like classic Westerns, which focused on Frontier Justice. There is no excessive melodrama, just good old-fashioned grit and tension. It’s the kind of show that all the genre’s fans can get into, not just those who prefer neo-Western dramas.
‘Dutton Ranch’ Has the Chance to Fix More ‘Yellowstone’ Problems
Dutton Ranch director Greg Yaitanes told Collider that the show feels like Yellowstone Season 6. Instead of veering into a completely different realm like Marshals, the upcoming series will maintain the original show’s tone, with the story focusing on Beth and Rip. He says it is “much more of a drama and a soap,” adding that it has most of the great things he loved about the original. This appears to be the consensus from everyone working on the spin-off. Beth and Rip are not only one of the greatest TV couples, but they’re also extremely intelligent and likable, making them the perfect central characters for an offshoot meant to be as strong as the parent series. Their final arc felt abrupt, and in the spin-off, their relationship is set to evolve more, further accentuating the themes of family and perseverance. It wouldn’t be surprising to see their relationship facing more serious tests this time around.
Fans loved Yellowstone because of the ranching spirit, and Dutton Ranch will preserve this aspect of the franchise. Even though the original land is gone and Beth and Rip are starting on a new property, they have the chance to build a legacy as big as what their ancestors created. With new rivals and fresh economic obstacles, the show might not only feel like its immediate predecessor but also the spin-offs 1883 and 1923. Good times are coming. In the next few months, everyone will probably have forgotten about Yellowstone Season 5B and the pain it caused. Hopefully, the franchise keeps getting bigger and better. Are you excited for Dutton Ranch?
