“Yellowstone” Season 5 Finale Leaves Fans Divided – A Disappointing Ending or the Perfect Goodbye? 🤔
The Season 5 finale of Yellowstone aired on December 15, and fans have a lot to say about it. While some are praising the emotional goodbyes and dramatic twists, many viewers are left feeling disappointed with how it all came to an end. The episode, which reportedly hints at a possible spin-off, has left many wondering if the conclusion could’ve been more satisfying.
The finale’s centerpiece was the emotional farewell to the Dutton family patriarch, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. In a haunting scene shared on Facebook, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) places a white rose on her father’s coffin, before leaning in to whisper a vow of vengeance. But the drama didn’t end there.
A Bloody Sibling Showdown and the Dark Dutton Legacy
After John’s funeral, the focus shifted to Beth’s tense confrontation with her brother, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). The siblings’ emotional baggage boiled over into a brutal fight at Jamie’s house. Just as Jamie seems poised to kill Beth, her husband, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), swoops in to save her.
What follows is a shocking moment as Beth, with Rip’s reluctant approval, fatally stabs her brother—a man she’s despised for years.
Rip and his trusted ally, Lloyd Pierce (Forrie J. Smith), take Jamie’s body to the infamous “train station” for disposal, while Beth ensures the police know Jamie was responsible for their father’s death. Meanwhile, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) makes a decisive move regarding the family’s land, selling off most of it to Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) for $1.1 million, while reserving the East Camp for his own family.
Fans React to the Season Finale – Was It a Letdown?
Despite the intense moments, many fans weren’t thrilled with how the episode wrapped up. Social media lit up with complaints about the finale’s rushed feel. One Facebook user remarked, “That was a terrible ending!” Others echoed the sentiment, calling it “lackluster” or “a waste of a great saga.”
One viewer summed up the feelings of many, writing, “This season felt rushed. Too much fluff, not enough focus on what mattered. The longer the series went on, the worse it got!”
Some even found the finale’s events to be too predictable, noting that they hoped for a twist, but ended up feeling bored. One frustrated Instagram user added, “The writing was all over the place. This show deserved a better ending.”
A Few Cheers Amid the Criticism
However, not all reactions were negative. Some fans appreciated the finale, calling it a fitting conclusion. “Great finale! Everyone went their separate ways and the natives got their land 💜,” one fan shared. Another wrote, “This ended exactly as it should. It was an amazing series. Everyone did an exceptional role as actors.”
Some viewers even got emotional, cheering when Beth exacted her revenge on Jamie, while others celebrated the heartfelt moments between Rip and Beth at their new home. “I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Very satisfying that Jamie got taken to the train station,” one fan reflected.
A New Chapter for the Duttons? Spin-Offs on the Horizon
Before the episode aired, Yellowstone teased its finale with an eye-catching post on social media, hinting that big things were coming for the Duttons. As the show ends its fifth season, reports suggest that the Yellowstone universe isn’t done yet.
In fact, a potential spin-off starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser as Beth and Rip is reportedly in the works. Both actors have reportedly signed deals, with the spin-off set to focus on their characters in a present-day timeline.
The buzz around the spin-off grew after Paramount Network described the Season 5 finale as a “season finale,” not a series finale, fueling speculation that Yellowstone might continue in some form. If the spin-off happens, it’s likely to follow the characters as they navigate a new chapter of the Dutton legacy without John Dutton around.
More Dutton Drama: The Spin-Offs That Could Follow
Aside from the rumored Beth and Rip-centric series, Yellowstone has already expanded into a number of prequels, including 1883 and 1923. 1883 followed the early Duttons as they traveled westward, while 1923 tackled the challenges the Duttons faced during the early 20th century, starring heavyweights like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
Meanwhile, Yellowstone’s own future continues to stir up excitement. Alongside the potential spin-off starring Reilly and Hauser, a new show titled The Madison (formerly 2024) is currently in development, though it has yet to include any of the original Yellowstone cast.
A Controversial Cameo and Mixed Reactions
The buildup to the finale wasn’t without its own share of controversy. In the episode before the finale (Episode 13), fans were taken aback by a surprise cameo from supermodel Bella Hadid.
Her role as the girlfriend of Travis Wheatley (Taylor Sheridan) was met with criticism, with many viewers questioning the casting choice. One fan called it the “worst episode in Yellowstone history,” while another complained, “This part of the episode was very unnecessary.” Hadid’s appearance was perceived by some as a strange diversion from the show’s core drama.
The episode’s mixed reactions only added fuel to the fire surrounding the Yellowstone franchise’s current direction. Some even speculated that creative decisions, like the addition of Hadid, might explain why Kevin Costner, who played John Dutton, decided to exit the series.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Duttons?
While Yellowstone’s future remains uncertain, one thing’s clear: the Dutton family’s saga has captivated audiences for years. Whether fans feel satisfied with the Season 5 finale or not, the story isn’t over. With spin-offs and new projects on the horizon, the Yellowstone universe will likely continue to evolve, much like the land the Duttons fought so fiercely to protect.