Yellowstone Puts Modern Twist on the American West: A Show for the Ages
Yellowstone, the ongoing Montana-cowboy drama series everyone seems to be raving about, joins action-packed Western shootouts with the modern day. It’s a beautifully produced compilation of mafia-style madness centered around America’s favorite theme: The Wild West. Fans of both The Sopranos and Clint Eastwood productions will not be disappointed. Every episode is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, taking unexpected twists and turns every step of the way. Just when it looks like everything’s going to plan, disaster will strike. Just as disaster strikes, it resolves itself in the most explosive fashion possible.
The Duttons, a formidable family ruled by maniacal John Dutton, own a ranch larger than the land area of Rhode Island. They’re constantly at odds with anyone vying for control over their land, from the neighboring Indian Reservation to international corporations and domestic terrorism groups. Sheridan and Linson’s stunning five-season production dives deep into the world of American crime and corruption. Whether it be calling the governor for a favor or going full cowboy and showing up to the opposition’s doorstep, the program is sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seat.
What makes Yellowstone so unique is that it’s not just a mafia-style series where characters wear cowboy hats instead of tuxedos; it’s also a story grounded in facets of generational American values. Immediately, any viewer can resonate with at least one character, despite their roughness around the edges.
John Dutton is an old man who has lost many close to him; he doesn’t want to lose the ranch so their deaths won’t be in vain. His son, Jamie, is forced by his family into law and government. While he fights for the ranch, he’s unsure of his own identity. Somehow, Sheridan finds a way to make a corrupt lawyer “justified” in his pursuits. His character constantly asks, “What’s the right thing to do?” in a perfectly complex, yet realistic, way.
Beth, the only daughter of the Dutton family, takes on a brutal masculine role to survive. She hides behind her wit as she struggles to trust the people close to her. Best of all, she always says it like it is; her brutally honest insults break even the most steadfast of characters in a way that seems almost endearing.
Finally, the youngest son, Kayce, is an ex-Navy Seal who wants to settle down. Unfortunately, in the Dutton family, there’s no such thing. He’s the golden boy of the family, and he’s about as close to a “good guy” as one can get in this show. Even though his character is a ruthless killer, he gives vibes of someone who just needs a hug.
Each character passionately embodies an aspect of American life – finding one’s identity, putting up a front in the face of competition, and managing settling down with the stresses of life. Even though they’re all Western mafiosos, their compelling character depth goes beyond that of a series solely based on violence.
The most interesting thing about the show is not the characters themselves, but rather how they interact with each other. Each character knows that their duty is to the ranch, but approaches that duty differently. While their actions are brutal, there’s always a bit of reluctance and tension that never fades from the scene, even when the job is done. Each character is desperately tired – it’s visible in everything from the self-mocking harshness one would expect from cowboys to the grudging spite they hold on their enemies for making them fight for their haphazard cause.
Yellowstone is a prime example of tradition versus modernity. It takes people from a different time, when no one beat around the bush, to the modern era, a time where arguably the same corruption occurs but under much more developed facades. It’s a mix of the old and the new, which is one of the reasons why the show is so appealing. It resonates with people across generational barriers and connects them in a way that feels outrageous and genuine at the same time.
Even though the show gets a little out of hand sometimes, it’s the little moments that tend to resonate most. In Episode One, “Daybreak,” Kayce tells his brother, “In case you don’t already know, there’s no such place as heaven,” before a catastrophic event takes place later that evening. It’s the viewer’s first hint that there’s more to the plot than meets the eye. The series captivatingly reflects the feelings of excitement from the cowboys’ previous successes start to mix with an impending sense of dread.
Yellowstone is ultimately about the American Dream. How far will people go to keep a legacy? Do wealth, power, and prestige matter in the end? Yes, the characters sometimes have ridiculously over-the-top fights. But what Yellowstone does differently than your average action or Western is reveal why each character does what they do, and the constant battle each one has over whether it’s really worth it in the end. Deserving of its “critically acclaimed” title, the series is sure to be a hit with people from all walks of life. It's a beautiful exposé that reveals the darker side of America; a must-watch for anyone looking for an exciting, realistic take on the Wild West of the modern-day.
