Yellowstone—once the shining crown jewel of modern Westerns—has gone from glory to something resembling a dusty tumbleweed rolling aimlessly across the plains. The show, which launched Taylor Sheridan into the spotlight with its gritty exploration of power, land, and family, seems to have lost its way. With its final season splitting in two and taking unexpected detours into what can only be described as absurdity, fans are left wondering: what happened to the story that once captivated us?

The Dutton Dynasty’s Decline

Season 5, Part 2 of Yellowstone felt like it was desperately clutching at straws, its attempts to wrap up the Dutton family saga falling flatter than a prairie road. What was once an intense family drama about ranching, legacy, and survival in the face of changing times devolved into a bloated, drawn-out soap opera with odd diversions like strip poker, the death of a horse, and absurd plot twists that strained the very fabric of the show.

Instead of a final, epic showdown that justified the years of blood, sweat, and tears the Duttons put into protecting their land, Sheridan opted for chaos. Fans were given convoluted subplots—Beth and Jamie locked in what felt more like WWE-style smackdowns than true emotional rivalries. Kayce’s strange hallucinations and Rip’s endless body-cleaning didn’t exactly bring any sense of closure. And the “big ranch-saving plan”? It appeared so last-minute that even the cows seemed unimpressed.

Yellowstone No Longer Delivers

Sheridan’s attempt to inject a sense of finality to the chaos seemed forced. Yellowstone once offered the harsh realities of ranch life alongside a poignant family story, but in the end, it simply became a vehicle for spectacle. Beth’s snarky catchphrases and Dutton-sized confrontations failed to deliver the emotional punch the show once had. The season finale tried to wrap up everything in a neat bow with a Dutton-family triumph, but it just didn’t feel earned. Fans—who had once rallied behind the show’s high-stakes drama—are now left wondering why they were cheering in the first place.

Kevin Costner’s Exit

And then there’s Kevin Costner, who left the show midway through the finale—making his exit the most significant event of season 5, even though it wasn’t meant to be. Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton was the soul of Yellowstone, so his absence marked a glaring void that the show never quite recovered from. Costner, ever the diplomat, didn’t mince words about the series’ turn towards soap opera territory. In an interview, he humorously referred to Yellowstone as a “bit of a soap opera” and even cheekily admitted that the Duttons should all be in prison, given the murder, manipulation, and mayhem that marked their rise.

Costner’s comments hit hard for fans who have watched the Duttons’ fall from moral ambiguity to flat-out criminality. What started as a nuanced family saga about land preservation morphed into a glorified crime spree. And despite the show’s best efforts to offer a redemption arc in its closing hours, Costner’s sarcastic take suggested he wasn’t buying it. If the show’s creator and star see the flaws, it’s clear that Yellowstone has outlived its narrative potential.

Yellowstone’s Legacy: Fading Fast

It’s become evident that Yellowstone is no longer the cultural juggernaut it once was. What started as a modern Western with deep emotional stakes and powerful performances devolved into a sprawling, overcooked mess. While the series will always hold a place in TV history, it’s clear that it overstayed its welcome, and fans are no longer biting. Taylor Sheridan may have created a legacy with Yellowstone, but it’s one that’s now left to age like milk—curdling under its own weight.