I’ve been around the ranch and seen more than a few sunsets, and let me tell you, this final episode of Yellowstone left me scratching my head like a longhorn trying to figure out a new fence. It’s a bit like watching a wild stallion dance to a pop song – it just doesn’t quite fit.

Following five thrilling seasons filled with family drama, betrayals, estrangements, tough decisions, and numerous murders, aimed at preserving the Yellowstone Ranch for the Dutton family — Yellowstone seemed to stumble towards an underwhelming and painfully dull end. (It might have been the season finale; a small Paramount logo in the corner suggested so, although a lengthy closing sequence featuring people meticulously taking apart the ranch piece by piece implied otherwise.)

The Yellowstone finale could have delved into the immense duty of loyalty Yellowstone employees feel towards the Dutton family, due to the fact that many of the cowboys have been literally branded like livestock!

Instead, the multi-talented figure behind Yellowstone, Sheridan, boldly steered away from the traditional trajectory for a finale, displaying an unconventional and commendable disregard for what one might anticipate as the primary duties of this concluding episode. He easily could have penned a grand, thrilling ending! However, at virtually every juncture, he opted to… deviate from that path. Herein lies a rundown of all the unique decisions Sheridan made regarding the Yellowstone finale, choices that filled the nearly 90-minute runtime with content that didn’t necessitate plot, character development, or suspenseful tension.

1.
Make Sheridan’s character, Travis, look cool in front of everyone.

In the finale’s initial conversation, it’s Travis who takes the lead, recounting thrilling tales of old cowboy adventures from days gone by, all while seated at the table in the bunkhouse. The Dutton family members and ranch employees gathered around him are captivated, grinning, chuckling, and expressing admiration for Travis’s cool demeanor. He extends a job offer to the quirky and unconventional ranch hand, Teeter, effectively concluding Travis’s story arc and making it unlikely that he will reappear in this episode again.

2.
Avoid any potential drama whatsoever regarding the fate of Yellowstone Ranch.

In this TV series, Yellowstone, the main focus of the storyline approaching its end has primarily revolved around the future of the ranch, the central theme since the beginning. The question of how to preserve this unprofitable yet cherished way of life amidst modern development and the traditional claims of Broken Rock Reservation over the land was expected to generate significant tension. Surprisingly, the Dutton family decides early on to sell the ranch to the reservation at a symbolic and significantly reduced price, seemingly bypassing inheritance tax. Remarkably, this decision is met with universal acceptance, without any second thoughts or remorse. John Dutton had forbidden Beth from selling it, but she agreed nonetheless. Only Jamie, who desires to sell the land for an airport, shopping malls, and luxury resorts, appears to disagree, although his intentions are seen as malicious and he will be dealt with soon.

3.
Let Rip figure out how to dig a grave.

In the storyline, it’s John Dutton who requires burial, leading to a scene where Rip instructs the cowhands to dig his grave themselves, perhaps as a subtle display of gratitude, although this sentiment isn’t explicitly stated. An excavator is also mentioned in the narrative.

4.
Shoot unedited funeral sequence for John Dutton, who is dead.

In order to stretch out the narrative without any clear purpose or direction, one method is to extend a ceremony to its complete duration, omitting any time reductions or skips in the action. For instance, we should hear the entire “Ashokan Farewell” played through, and watch as each rose is carefully placed on the casket, one at a time. However, this strategy seemed counterproductive when Beth demanded that there be no speeches or religious overtones; a sermon could have easily filled three to four minutes without issue. Yet, Beth leaned over the casket twice to whisper promises to her deceased father – first to assure him that she had taken care of everything and he could now rest in peace, followed by a contradictory vow for revenge. Additionally, Rip took the opportunity to scold the hapless preacher who proposed a prayer, leaving us wondering why the preacher was even present there.

5.
Let Rip figure out how to fill in the grave.

Rip queries about the functioning of the lowering mechanism for the casket. The preacher explains, “I assume the poles spin and you lower the straps with a crank,” implying his understanding. After taking off the poles, Rip uses the crank to lower the straps, allowing the casket to descend for 56 seconds. He then grabs a shovel, shifts the artificial grass matting from the grave, and informs the preacher that he’ll be using the shovel. Quite intriguing!

6.
Cook meat with Gator.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: “At the post-funeral gathering, here I am, Gator – author of the Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook – and Senator Perry inquires about my dish selection. ‘Rib eyes, beans, sourdough biscuits, and a blueberry cobbler,’ I reply with a smile.

7.
Ensure Beth carries out one final revenge plot that requires zero prep, plotting, inner conflict, or narrative obstacles.

The dramatic turn of events involving the ranch mirrors a high risk of being captivating without the intricate plotlines usually seen in Yellowstone. Instead of Beth engaging in complex strategies and long-drawn-out schemes over unclear disputes, she makes a direct move by confronting her brother Jamie at his residence, resulting in a fatal attack. Rip disposes of the body in their traditional burial site. Neither the authorities nor other parties discover the corpse or question the seemingly insignificant action of torching Jamie’s vehicle. The media reports Jamie as missing, and that appears to be the end of the saga, despite his significant role as the Attorney General of Montana.

8.
Show Kayce throwing away his badge, then a wolf running up to bury it, and a guy from the Reservation telling Kayce it’s a ghost wolf.

That’s it, that’s the scene.

9.
Make Sheridan’s character, Travis, look cool in front of everyone again.

After sending off Jamie, the Dutton ranch, and all other plot devices, the finale of Yellowstone returns to a scene at Travis’s Texas ranch. Travis barks harsh words at Jimmy, Teeter begins her new job, and Travis makes a horse spin around. Every time Travis speaks, those present nod in a mixture of reluctant respect and affection.

10.
Dismiss the remaining Yellowstone Ranch employees with a wad of cash.

None of them ever express concerns like, “Geez, carrying a massive ‘Y’ tattoo for life feels strange.” Or, “By the way, I vow to keep quiet about that colossal pool of murder victims.” Instead, they seem unfazed or accepting of their circumstances.

11.
Concert scene!

A cowboy named Ryan, who rarely appears on the show and doesn’t have a surname, visited Lainey Wilson’s concert. During the performance, Wilson played an entire song lasting three minutes and 14 seconds (excluding applause). Afterward, Ryan went backstage and confessed his love for her, proposing an eternal partnership. Delighted by this unexpected turn of events, Lainey Wilson was overjoyed.

12.
Dismantle Yellowstone Ranch one board at a time.

As a cinephile, I find myself immersed in the unfolding events at the Dutton ranch. The sale process ran seamlessly without any hiccups in negotiations. In an instant, members from Broken Rock Reservation began dismantling the property. The iconic Yellowstone Ranch sign, a beacon of familiarity, was swiftly removed from the road leading to the ranch. A close-up revealed the large ‘Y’ emblem on the door, a symbol synonymous with this land. The ‘Y’ was also detached from the barn, leaving no room for ambiguity. Drums echoed and songs filled the air as members of Broken Rock Reservation celebrated, mirroring the somber finale of “Killers of the Flower Moon”, yet this time the narrative unfolded in stark contrast to that film’s tale.

13.
Let Kayce buy a cow.

He goes to an auction to buy a cow. Probably he buys more than one, but we see only one.

14.
Voice-over thesis statement.

The woman featured in the opening narration of 1883 reappears, offering crucial insights, as she speaks over aerial views of mountains and grasslands.

141 years ago, my ancestor learned about this valley, and we’ve been living here for seven generations. My ancestor was told that others would claim this land, and he vowed to regain it. No written contract bound him to this promise. The promise lingered on in the essence of this place after his death. Land cannot truly belong to humans; it is merely a stewardship. To claim land, one must pave it with concrete, erect buildings, and build houses so densely that people can catch whiffs of each other’s meals. One must exploit it to sell it. Untouched, wild, free land cannot be owned. However, some individuals pay dearly for the honor of caring for it. They endure hardships and make sacrifices to live off the land, coexist with it, and ideally pass on this knowledge to future generations. If they fail, they must find someone else who will uphold the commitment.

15.
Ending scene that fundamentally contradicts the closing thesis statement but no matter.

It seems that Kayce and Beth independently own their ranches, which are thriving judging by their apparent happiness. Interestingly, they don’t appear to be struggling or making significant sacrifices for these lands. In an unexpected turn of events, Beth seeks out a local tavern. Intriguingly, Rip consents to accompany her, and it appears that many viewers who watched this episode feel the same urge, as they too decide to find a bar. The story concludes there.

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2024-12-17 15:54