'Yellowstone' Returns with an Epic 2-Episode Premiere for Season 5 as John Dutton Assumes the Governor's Office of Montana

 

by Darian Scalamoni

    When many people think of the biggest shows of recent years, they often point to streaming originals such as Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Boys or something within the Disney family, but Yellowstone has consistently been the most watched show on broadcast television with its viewership continuing to rise over time. The western drama, currently in its fifth season, had a two-episode premiere on Paramount Network and led off with John Dutton's victory of the Governorship of the state of Montana. 

    Though many have referred to Yellowstone as the "Sopranos of the West," the series stands on its own as a taut epic tale of ranchers who are constantly fighting to keep their established land and cattle ranch amid conflicts between a neighboring Indian reservation, land developers and adversaries. The Dutton family is one that has had their own set of problems over the five seasons, namely the ongoing turmoil between Beth Dutton and Jamie Dutton. 

    While Season 5 had exciting intrigue and set-up for what looks to be another great season of television, it didn't kick off the way that last season did. Quickly recapping the fourth season, Jamie had all political intentions in mind as he was set to run for Governor with support from his biological father, Garrett Randall. Randall had ordered a hit on the Dutton family going after John, Beth and Kayce. Though they all survive and are unaware of this, Beth eventually discovers that Jamie's father was behind the assassination attempt on their lives and gives Jamie two choices: either go to jail for his involvement in the crime or kill his father. Jamie chooses the latter and when disposing the body, Beth snaps a photo for blackmail having Jamie in her pocket forever. 

    The ongoing quarrel between siblings seems to be crux and driving plot point that inevitably surrounds the Dutton family while John assumes the role of Governor. The newfound political power that John possesses is not one that he particularly enjoys. He feels forced into this position solely to protect his land that he loves and has long owned through his family for centuries. The family is back in tow with both Jamie and Beth working for John while Kayce prepares for the birth of his child with wife, Monica. Unfortunately, as we see within the final 10 minutes of the first episode that amidst Monica going through complications with her childbirth and Kayce off at work, she crashes her car with their son, Tate in the passenger seat and alas, lose their child. Another son, who they named John after Kayce's father, had only lasted a couple of hours following the crash. 

    It's a massive heartbreaking moment for them and creates a somber resolution to the episode titled, "One Hundred Years of Nothing" before leading into the second episode, "The Sting of Wisdom." It's there where we see Kayce spending time with his wife during a tragic moment and we see the true soul of the show in their marriage and family life away from the rest of the Duttons. Tate asks his father if they're going to try again, clearly inferring that he wants to build upon the Dutton name with siblings of his own.

Additionally, within the second episode, we see another douse of fatherhood with Rip and his newfound job as father and running the ranch with John in his new position. An almost unrecognizable Carter has since grown in stature and responsibility with his adoptive figurehead being sterner without Beth around as much. However, all in all, the first two episodes create some signature character moments for Taylor Sheridan's series and is a good start and return to form for Yellowstone.