Yellowstone fans, it’s hard to believe that Season 5 is nearing its end, especially after such a long wait for Part Two. However, after watching

the last few episodes, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. The last few episodes have been underwhelming, and while the show has

had its high points, it’s clear that something is missing. After a solid run with Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923, Taylor Sheridan’s sprawling

Western universe seemed to be on top of the world. But as we near the finale of Season 5, I have some serious concerns that need addressing.

A Lot of Death, But No Real Impact

One of the biggest issues with this season is the sheer amount of character deaths. In just a handful of episodes, we’ve lost three major characters, and while these deaths are meant to create drama, they often feel like a distraction rather than meaningful plot points. It’s almost as if the show is relying on shock value to maintain interest rather than developing its storylines and characters more deeply. Take Colby’s death in Episode 12, for instance. It felt unnecessary and like a plot device to make us feel something in a season that’s starting to lose its momentum.

Yes, every death has a reason, but the constant stream of losses is starting to feel cheap. For example, Sarah was an intriguing character who could have had a massive payoff in her rivalry with Beth and her manipulation of Jamie. But her arc was cut short, leaving a lot of potential unresolved. And then there’s Colby, a character who, along with Tito, seemed to deserve a bit of happiness amid all the chaos. It’s disappointing that we’ve lost characters like them just to further emphasize the danger of the cowboy life when there was more room to explore their stories.

The Kevin Costner Departure and its Fallout

One of the key turning points for Yellowstone was Kevin Costner’s departure from the show. John Dutton, played by Costner, was the heart of the series. He wasn’t just the lead actor—he embodied the spirit of the Dutton family. Losing him has left a massive void, and while Taylor Sheridan did his best to carry the show forward, you can feel the absence of John Dutton in every scene. The show’s dynamic has shifted dramatically, and while other characters have stepped up, the loss of Costner’s leadership has left Yellowstone feeling aimless at times.

Kevin Costner brought something irreplaceable to the show. His acting skills, built over decades, set a standard for everyone else on set. No one else can quite fill the shoes of John Dutton, and that’s been painfully obvious this season. Without his presence, the show feels directionless, as if it’s missing its guiding force. Sure, killing off John was the only option after Costner’s departure, but it’s hard to deny that it’s weakened the series.

The Show’s Storylines Feel Disjointed

As for the storylines, they’ve started to feel disconnected. We’ve got a lot of plot threads in the air—like the investigation into John Dutton’s death and the continuing conflict with Market Equities—but none of them are being developed with the same intensity as before. The show used to thrive on fleshing out its characters and their motivations, but now, even with all these major players, it feels like we’re just ticking off plot points without real substance. The lack of depth in the character arcs has become glaring, especially with characters like Beth, Rip, and Jamie, who should be more integral to the narrative.

Beth, who once had such a strong presence, now feels like she’s been sidelined. Her supposed showdown with Jamie is teased but never delivered on, leaving viewers wondering if it’ll ever come to fruition. Meanwhile, Rip, once the backbone of the ranch, is barely holding things together, with his personality shifting dramatically as he mourns John’s loss. And Jamie? After all the buildup, his character has become almost irrelevant, especially now that he’s lost his role in the Dutton family.

Lack of Time with the Characters

Another issue is the lack of time spent with the characters, especially in comparison to earlier seasons. Yellowstone excelled at giving us deep dives into its characters’ backstories, often using flashbacks to show us who they were and how they became the people they are today. This gave the show a sense of richness and continuity. However, in Season 5 Part Two, those flashbacks and character moments have been largely dropped. We’ve barely had any meaningful scenes with John Dutton in the past, and the flashbacks we’ve seen recently don’t even feel well-directed. The absence of John, along with the loss of time spent on character development, has hurt the show’s emotional depth.

Where Does Yellowstone Go from Here?

With only two episodes left in the season, it feels like there’s too much left unresolved. Unless the final episodes get an extended runtime, there’s no way all these plotlines will get the resolution they deserve. After the announcement of Costner’s departure, many of us thought Season 5 might be the show’s final bow, but now, there’s talk of a potential Season 6. I’m torn on this. On one hand, I don’t want to see the show end, but on the other hand, if Season 6 is anything like Part Two of this season, maybe it’s time for Yellowstone to go out on a high note.

Personally, I’d rather Sheridan focus on expanding the Yellowstone universe with shows like 1923 and 1943, which offer fresh perspectives on the Dutton legacy. Yellowstone has been groundbreaking, but it’s clear that without John Dutton—and without the show’s earlier focus on strong character development—it may have reached its limits. I still hold out hope for a satisfying conclusion, but with the way things are shaping up, it feels like the show is losing its way.