‘Terrible Ending!’: Fans React to the Season 5 Finale of ‘Yellowstone’
The Season 5 finale of “Yellowstone,” which is said to hint at a possible impending spin-off, had many netizens feeling that the program could have ended better.
Viewers of “Yellowstone” are venting their frustrations with the Season 5 conclusion, which aired on Sunday, December 15, and featured the Duttons bidding farewell to their family patriarch, John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner).
The show’s official Facebook page posted a teaser of the finale, showing an emotional Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) placing a last white rose on her father’s coffin and then bending closer to the coffin to inform him that she intends to exact revenge.
After the funeral, Beth visits her brother Jamie Dutton, who is portrayed by Wes Bentley. The siblings brawl violently once they arrive. Cole Hauser’s character, Beth’s husband Rip Wheeler, saves her just before Jamie is ready to kill his sister.
Rip lets Beth deliver a final blow on Jamie, causing her to stab the brother she detested to death, marking the end of the sibling feud.
While Beth tells the police about her late brother’s role in their father’s death, Rip transports Jamie’s body to the train station with Lloyd Pierce’s (Forrie J. Smith) assistance.
Regarding the family’s land, Luke Grimes’ character Kayce Dutton declares that he intends to keep the East Camp for his family and their 300 cows.
According to the episode synopsis in Entertainment Weekly, he sold the remaining land to Thomas Rainwater (also known as Gil Birmingham) for $1.25 per acre, for a total of $1.1 million. One of Kayce’s conditions for the agreement is that Thomas is not allowed to sell or develop the property. Thomas accepts these conditions.
Viewers of “Yellowstone” were quick to express their dissatisfaction with the show after witnessing the ending. Another Facebook user said, “That was a terrible ending!”
“The season finale was dull,” said another. One person said, “Deserved a much better ending,” while another said, “Trash season.” What a squander of such a magnificent tale.
“There was too much filler added, and the portions that deserved time weren’t given it. This season felt really hurried. The series became worse [sic] the longer it ran! “A disappointing conclusion to a series that had such a great beginning!” wrote one fan.
An onlooker said, “What an obvious conclusion. feeble. hoped for an unexpected conclusion. The remainder was dull after what everyone knew was inevitable. 
.
“Nope, there was writing everywhere. One Instagram user commented, “This series deserved a better ‘ending,’” while another said, “Horrible ending, so rushed, I feel robbed from this series 
‘Yellowstone’ was amazing up until this season.” Extremely disappointed. 
.
“Terrible ending,” said another Instagram user. written in a hurry. seemed cheesy and hurried. A fantastic show was marred by Sheridan.
However, some others commended “Yellowstone” for its conclusion. “Excellent conclusion! I hoped they wouldn’t make a mistake. A fan praised, “Everyone went their separate ways and the natives got their land 
.”
“This ended exactly as it should,” said another. It’s really a difficult show to leave [sic]. The series was incredible. As actors and actresses, everyone performed to a high standard. “Nicely wrapped up. “I hope it ends there permanently,” a netizen wrote.
“Kelly Reilly was fantastic in tonight’s episode,” a viewer said. This was Beth’s—or, maybe more accurately, Jaime’s—most fitting demise. 
I adore how content they were all in the end.
The conclusion even caused some viewers to become upset; one person wrote, “Gosh. Yes. I cried once again tonight. It was difficult. But when she maxed and stabbed Jamie, let out a tiny cheer.
“Excellent episode. I cheered, I sobbed, and I laughed. Jamie was brought to the train station, which was quite satisfying. “I loved seeing Rip and Beth at their new place and that Ryan found Abby,” one admirer wrote. Another person added to the conversation by saying, “Tonight’s episode had me in tears .”
“Yellowstone’s” Instagram account announced the show’s finale on social media prior to the episode airing. The post was created in partnership with Paramount Network.
A striking image of Reilly, Hauser, Grimes, Bentley, and Kelsey Asbille (who plays Grimes’ on-screen wife) all posing as their respective characters can be found in the post. With the caption, “Don’t miss a single second of tonight’s extended Yellowstone finale,”
In a different post, the network and show offered captivating snippets of the season finale, revealing to viewers what would happen to the Dutton family and their land following the passing of their dad.
“TONIGHT! Watch the incredible “Yellowstone” conclusion only on @paramountnetwork. #YellowstoneTV,” the post read.
The stars of the show also wrote posts regarding the finale. Reilly posted the same preview for the show’s and network’s finale, which is a long and heartfelt one.
The actress revealed, “Whatever the future holds, this is the ending of the show we have been making for the past 7 years,” after revealing that she is presently working on another project in the United Kingdom. I can’t express how I feel about the people I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate and develop with throughout the years.”
“I have made true lifelong friends,” Reilly continued. the cast’s commitment and trust, as well as the crew’s support. The woman I got to inhabit, the words I got to speak. I was altered by it. It made me feel better. I will always be thankful for it since it pushed me in every way imaginable.”
She went on to speak to Taylor Sheridan, the creator of “Yellowstone,” who Reilly claimed took a risk on her and developed her character in a way that gave her a sense of life as an actress.
Reilly thanked Sheridan and the audience before saying, “We truly cared about creating something unique for you all …Get your tissues and your 
and enjoy tonight.
Grimes posted a picture of himself sitting shirtless with his head lowered by a roaring fire pit, joining Reilly in saying goodbye to the show. “An era comes to an end. Kayce, good bye. I am not as good a man as you are. “Thank you for the once-in-a-lifetime experience, ‘yellowstone’ family,” the “True Blood” star wrote.
Asbille also wrote a message on her Instagram page regarding the “Yellowstone” conclusion, similar to what Grimes and Reilly did. She posted a picture of herself and Grimes, as their fictional characters, standing against a wooden fence and gazing off into the distance. Her caption noted, “One episode left. To share the screen with Luke over these past 7 years was such a dream.”
Although “Yellowstone” has come to an end, news reports have revealed that a new potential spinoff series may be on the horizon for Reilly and Hauser’s characters. According to Deadline, both actors have closed deals for the spinoff series, which Sheridan has been developing the creative for.
While Hauser and Reilly are expected to lead the spinoff, which will adopt a present-day time frame, reports stipulate that they will be joined by other cast members from “Yellowstone.”
Buzz concerning the potential spinoff began when it became public knowledge that the show’s producers, MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, had been negotiating with Reilly and Hauser for months, which Deadline spoke about in August.
It was then suggested that the duo would carry the series on as the lead stars of “Yellowstone’s” sixth season after Costner’s character’s death.
This was further bolstered by how Paramount Network promoted the finale of Season 5. Instead of referring to the recent episode as the overall end to the series, they called it the season’s finale.
Months before Deadline’s recent report, Reilly spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the potential for the show to continue. At this time, reports of her and Hauser’s negotiations had already come out.
“Nothing is set in stone. But if Taylor wants to write it, I would want to do it. That’s it. Because he’s the one that’s written every single line I’ve ever said. She came from his imagination,” revealed Reilly in September.
The “Eden Lake” actress clarified that should the spinoff happen, both she and Sheridan are in agreement that there needs to be a shift in the storyline. “‘Yellowstone’ as we know it is ending, but if there is more story to tell with some of the characters, it’s going to be a little different,” disclosed Reilly.
According to Entertainment Weekly, talks about continuing “Yellowstone” began after Paramount Network announced the upcoming arrival of a new show called “2024,” following previous reports that “Yellowstone” would end with Season 5.
Since then, “Yellowstone’s” first present-day spinoff (“2024”) underwent a title change, and it is now called “The Madison.” Thus far, the project has not added any of the original actors from “Yellowstone” to its cast, which includes industry heavy hitters Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, and Matthew Fox.
Aside from “The Madison,” and the potential project starring Reilly and Hauser, “Yellowstone” has had other spinoffs. “1883,” which stars Sam Elliot, is one such spinoff that began in 2021 and ended in 2022.
According to its IMDb description, the mini series follows the story of “the post-Civil war generation of the Dutton family” who travel to Texas and join “a wagon train undertaking the arduous journey west to Oregon, before settling in Montana to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone Ranch.”
After “1883,” Sheridan created a series called “1923,” which tells the origin story of “Yellowstone.” In “1923,” the Dutton family confronts early 20th century challenges such as the Great Depression, the Prohibition, and the rise of the Western Expansion. Notable stars featured in this ongoing series include Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
Drawing back to “1923’s” successor (in terms of storyline), the recent commentary made about the Season 5 finale is not the first time viewers expressed their frustrations with “Yellowstone.”
After watching the episode before the finale (Episode 13), netizens were left disappointed by the unexpected cameo supermodel Bella Hadid made.
In the episode titled “Give The World Away,” which aired on December 8, 2024, Reilly’s character travels to Texas to meet with Travis Wheatley, portrayed by Sheridan.
Upon arriving at his home, she is introduced to his girlfriend, Sadie, played by supermodel Hadid. The episode also features a brief cameo from Hadid’s real-life boyfriend, Adan Banuelos.
Viewers were surprised by Hadid’s casting, questioning its necessity and criticizing the writers for straying from the show’s core. One viewer said, “Worst episode in ‘Yellowstone’ history.” Another viewer added to the criticism, “This part of the episode was very unnecessary…”
A different user voiced their displeasure, “Worst episode ever, just wasted my hour watching nonsense. Hopefully next episode is better.” Another person penned, “A spoiled brat actor ruined it,” while someone else declared, “‘Yellowstone’ TRASH, tonight’s episode! So disappointing and left off with so many unanswered questions [sic].”
Others focused on the unexpected nature of the supermodel’s unexpected appearance, with one person noting, “This is the most random cameo on tv 
,” and another individual wondering, “What is Bella Hadid doing here?”
“This was unnecessary, no point to ‘Yellowstone’! Just someone showing how much money they have and wanted to show it off! Very disappointed, when your [sic] the writer, you can do what ya want!” lamented an Instagrammer.
Similarly, another viewer voiced, “Ugh was this necessary? We want to see the OGs, not some random model posted in the 2nd to last episode.”
Meanwhile, a conflicted person expressed, “I really love Bella but this was unnecessary from my point of view. Now you’re going to think I’m watching ‘Yellowstone’ just because she appears.”
On the performance side, one person bluntly remarked, “Zero talent,” while another humorously added, “Bella Hadid on ‘Yellowstone’ is crazy work.” A frustrated user also weighed in, “Gotta be honest, when I saw Bella Hadid, kinda rolled my eyes. Awful casting, bring back Abby! #Yellowstone.”
Some took their criticism a step further wondering if the plot and casting choices were the reason Kevin Costner, a former main character, departed. One viewer remarked, “I see why Kevin had enough and left. These episodes are stupid.”
Another didn’t mince words either, jotting, “Can do without this episode! No wonder Costner quit.” Someone else who had strong feelings about the episode shared, “Tonight’s episode of ‘Yellowstone’ was the worst in it’s [sic] series history, nauseating to even watch. Team Kevin even more than before if that’s even possible.”
Other people had a more specific gripe about the casting, with one joking, “I know this man Taylor Sheridan didn’t just write Bella Hadid into ‘Yellowstone’ and made her his girlfriend .”
Finally, a viewer summed up the overall sentiment by stating, “‘Yellowstone’ has gotten so random 
Bella Hadid! The gross scene with the women in their undies. The writers are phoning it in for the last season.”
Juxtaposing the online criticisms, Bella Hadid received a warm welcome from the “Yellowstone” team, who took to Instagram to pen, “Welcome to the Yellowstone family, @bellahadid! #YellowstoneTV.”
Still, a series reviewer criticized the penultimate episode for wasting valuable time with unnecessary filler, rather than advancing the season’s key storylines. They expressed disappointment with the episode, noting that it failed to deliver exciting moments, leaving viewers with a forgettable experience.
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