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Taylor Sheridan’s hit Western dramaYellowstonecame to an end last weekend. And it has largely received mixed reactions from fans in regard to how the show progressed in Part 2 of the final season. The fall in the quality of the show has often been attributed to its creator, with many pointing to Sheridan’s increasingly weak writing in the final seasons.
However, this decline in quality becomes glaringly apparent in the series finale, where not only is John Dutton’s legacy tarnished, but the reckless writing also makes the character appear foolish—even after his death.
Taylor Sheridan’sYellowstonefinale undermines John Dutton’s legacy and the series’ original vision
Yellowstonebegan as acompelling story about succession, with Lee Dutton, John Dutton’s eldest son set to take over the ranch. However, it was his tragic death in Season 1 that set off a chain of events that fueled the sibling rivalry and power struggles, ultimately driving the show’s five-season run.
However, despite Lee’s pivotal role in igniting the series’ central conflicts, his character is quickly forgotten after the first season, with little to no mention of him in later episodes, causing fans to lose sight of the original issues that set the Duttons’ turmoil in motion.
After John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death in Season 5B, the show follows Beth and Kayceas they grapple with their father’s passingand their conflicts with Jamie, along with striving to protect the ranch they cherished.
Beth devises a plan and raises $30 million by auctioning the ranch’s assets, including horses and cattle, to keep the family afloat. However, with no sustainable source of income for the future, the siblings ultimately strike a deal with Chief Thomas Rainwater to save the ranch.
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Kayce proposes the plan of selling the ranch to Rainwater for $1.25 an acre and puts two conditions, that Rainwater deed the East Camp back to Kayce so he, Monica, and their son have a permanent home, and that the Yellowstone ranch can never be developed or sold.
Despite this resolution, the show’s failure to consistently revisit the story’s origins and its portrayal of the Dutton family’s inability to maintain the ranch, whichcould have been possible with Jamie’s involvement,undermines John Dutton’s legacy.
Throughout the series, John remains persistent in preserving his values and vast ranch land, often refusing lucrative offers to sell or develop it, prioritizing family legacy over maximizing profit.
In the end, the family’s inability to retain the entire ranch after his death raises questions about his long-term strategy and whether John truly had a sustainable vision for the land he devoted his life to preserving.
Fans blame John Dutton’s flawed succession plan forYellowstone’sdisappointing finale
Fans of the show have echoed similar sentiments while discussing the series finale, questioning John Dutton’s vision for his ranch in the neo-Western drama. Many have raised concerns about whether John was truly aware of the ranch’s dire financial situation.
“I know he used Jamie and Beth…but him Knowing them best…should have been able to figure out they suck at their jobs,”one fan noted onReddit, arguing that John’s failure to establish a proper succession plan may have left his family in a precarious position.
When the series began, it seemed as though John had a clear plan for the ranch, particularly with Lee as his heir. However, following Lee’s death, that vision unraveled.
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Fans suggested that the situation could have been salvaged by utilizing Jamie’s legal expertise, but Beth’sdeep-seated hatred for Jamieand her relentless focus on avenging their father overshadowed the importance of saving the ranch.
While fans remain divided on these conflicting perspectives, much of the disappointment surrounding the show’s ending has been attributed to its writing and creatorTaylor Sheridan. As Sheridan juggled multiple projects alongsideYellowstone’sfinal season, fans believe the series suffered from stretched focus and declining narrative quality.
Yellowstoneis available to watch on Paramount+.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
