Yellowstone Season 1 Hinted at a Much Better Show Then It Ended Up Being
The unfortunate reality is that with each passing season of Yellowstone, the beloved TV series losses more of its credibility.
Halfway through season five, Yellowstone has transformed into a soapy new-age western renowned for its unredeemable and unlikable characters.
However, it wasn't long ago that season one hinted at something much different.
Redditors always do a good job of discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly of a popular TV series.
They have the passion and dedication to analyze a show from its origins to the present moment and connect loose ends or debate plot holes.
With that in mind, it should come as no shocker that Yellowstone has a rapid fanbase on Reddit, and within it, everything is carefully analyzed and contested.
Among the more harsh criticism of Yellowstone tends to favor the series creator, Taylor Sheridan, or one of the more unlikable characters such as Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille).
However, the most frequent gripe with Yellowstone is that audience members do not believe the show is trending in the right direction.
Yellowstone has gone off the rails, according to some posters, and it's a shame considering season one offered a ton of potential.
Redditors quickly acknowledge an early scene in season one featuring Kayce (Luke Grimes), Jamie (Wes Bentley), Tate, and Lee Dutton (Dave Annable).
The scene is simple and less than 30 seconds, yet displays a side to the characters that hasn't been evident since season one of Yellowstone.
This scene always cracks me up
by u/ordinaryguy_72 in YellowstonePN
Here, viewers enjoy Jamie sharing a heartfelt moment with his brothers around the campfire. Here, audiences also see the wasted potential.
Lee has a memorable run on Yellowstone, the only problem is that the memories are short-lived (spoilers ahead). Lee is killed in the pilot episode, which sets Yellowstone off to an intriguing start.
Yet it was a tragedy that many viewers felt should have arrived far later into the season. Why?
Audiences never had an opportunity to build a rapport with Lee, and, considering the oldest sibling of the Dutton clan is rarely mentioned thereafter, it reeks of wasted opportunity.
"We would have understood the family better," one Redditor insisted, reflecting that the death doesn't resonate nearly as hard since audiences were just beginning to know the character.
The scene at the campfire presented a brief glimpse into the admiration and respect the two brothers have for each other, only to never be fully pursued.
Furthermore, it depicts Jamie in a rare moment of ease and happiness, finally pursuing the dreams he also wanted.
Sadly, the scene – like much of season one of Yellowstone – is abandoned and wasted.
"[Lee's] forgotten now and his death had no real impact," one Redditor mourned.
Meanwhile, another dwelled on the lost promise of the first couple of seasons:
"[Finally] a real relationship between brothers… real affection shown. [Season one of Yellowstone] hinted at a much better show then it ended up becoming."