For the fans of , the Taylor Sheridan classic is nothing more than a cowboy fantasy adventure that turned a bit too bloody, sociopathic, and brutal for Sunday family movie nights. However, for those who have really delved into the world of and lived to tell the tale, the Western series has far more to offer than rodeos and the expansive natural beauty of Montana.
is Merely a Modern-Day
Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton [Credit: Paramount Network]Aside from the blatant similarities in the plot, script, and character outlines between and , it looks as if Taylor Sheridan has unwittingly also mimicked the ending of the HBO show to the point where the last season of the show might even spell its doom.
“Women won’t like her”: Kelly Reilly Was Nearly Made to “Tone Down” Beth Dutton’s Fire-Breathing Siren in Yellowstone
With the series lead, Kevin Costner, nowhere to be seen, the falling out between the creator and the lead star concerning the filming schedule was an embarrassment, and the long 14-month wait between seasons, in Costner’s defense, was a valid enough reason to want to walk away. However, Taylor Sheridan could have saved from complete ruin only if he heeded 1 simple rule.
Is Headed Down the Same Path as ?
In this metaphorical similarity between the Paramount and HBO record-breaking shows, Kelly Reilly‘s Beth Dutton has just as much Cersei in her as she does Daenerys. With a power-hungry need coursing through her veins, the only daughter of John Dutton can be as ruthless and calculating as she can be maniacal. And to Taylor Sheridan’s credit, his writing did bring out the best (or should we say, the worst) in her character.
As shown in her scene with Piper Perabo‘s Summer Higgins, a distraught and easily riled-up Beth who bares her claws and her teeth at the first chance she gets, breaking out into a fight with the woman who caught her father’s attention is a blow below the belt for everything that Beth Dutton stands for. She is vicious and is well-equipped to wear the other person down with simply a few cutting words, and to reduce Beth into a subpar role such as that is an unacceptable mistake.
If Beth’s arc is made to go downhill from here, it is better for the series to tie up its ending in 8 more episodes rather than continue to ruin a well-established, ruthless, cunning, and powerful character just for the sake of programming her with emotions and a conscience.
“She’s like stepping into a sports car”: Beth Dutton Would Not be Happy How Kelly Reilly Was Scared of Her Despite Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan’s Vote of Confidence
Like Daenerys Targaryen’s complete breakdown of personality after Missandei died in the middle of Season 8, Beth Dutton’s shift in character in the final season feels like a betrayal for the audience just as much as it does a disservice to the show. Just like the ruthless yet loyal queen who turned mad out of rage, the Beth Dutton of Season 1 is a far cry from the character that now inhabits the Season 5 arc of And it’s high time Sheridan takes charge of the situation.
Season 5, Part 2 will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ in November 2024.