When the engrossing tale of Yellowstone illuminates our TV screens, it casts shadows on the boisterous relationship between Beth & Jamie—a sibling rivalry that fans know has been simmering since time immemorial. In the majority of episodes, Beth Dutton’s (Kelly Reilly) fury has been a raging river, stemming from teenage experiences that left her barren—perhaps courtesy of one fateful decision (sterilization) Jamie was a party to.
Despite the undercurrents of family & loyalty, Yellowstone aficionados argue, quite vociferously, that Taylor Sheridan might be throwing Jamie under the stagecoach, painting him as the villain while Beth’s own missteps fan the flames. That being said, spectators can’t help but think: Wasn’t it the maternal blueprint laid out by Beth’s mother that molded her unforgiving nature?
The Injustice of Jamie Dutton: Beth’s Actions Overshadow His Struggles in Yellowstone
Yellowstone fans are buzzing with opinions on the relationship between Beth and Jamie, with many feeling that Taylor Sheridan is not doing Jamie justice in the show. Despite Beth’s intense hatred toward her brother, fans are starting to see things from a different perspective.
We have seen Beth’s intensely visible animosity toward Jamie since the very beginning of Yellowstone. Her anger stems from a traumatic event in their past, where Jamie inadvertently made her sterile by taking her to an abortion clinic that required sterilization after the procedure.
While it was ultimately Beth’s decision to seek an abortion, one fan (via Reddit) argues that the behavior of Kelly Reilly’s character can be attributed to her upbringing by their mother, who raised her to be tough and unyielding.
On the other hand, Jamie’s character is seen as weak and lacking substance compared to Beth. Fans feel that he needs more development outside of his strained relationship with Beth. His actions in the previous seasons have not endeared him to viewers, but fans do believe that it was not Jamie’s fault that Beth was sterilized; God drove him there because it was her due.
Beth is portrayed as a strong and capable character, who can hold her own against any threat. However, her vulnerability only seems to come out when she is dealing with Jamie. Their sibling rivalry seems to bring out the worst in both characters, with Beth acting more on emotions than logic.
Behind the Scenes: Does Jamie Dutton’s Struggles Influence Wes Bentley’s Life?
Sure, you might’ve been keeping up with Wes Bentley’s portrayal of Jamie Dutton on the hit Paramount Network drama, Yellowstone. It’s no secret that the actor has been delivering some seriously intense performances as the unsettled son of the Dutton family, but did you know that playing such an intense character hasn’t always been a walk in the park for the actor?
In an interview with The New York Times, Bentley opened up about the challenges of embodying Jamie’s overwhelming “sadness” on screen. He shared that he has always used humor, comedy, and even “drugs” in the past to deal with his own sadness, but taking on Jamie’s emotions has proven to be a whole different ball game:
It’s been the hardest part of it all. Jamie’s sadness permeates my life, even though I’m not sad. I’m very lucky to have a great family and be where I’m at in life, but he’s always there behind me, clawing at that, especially when I’m shooting.
He explained that he has always “prided myself” on leaving his work at the door, but Jamie’s despair has a way of sticking with him long after the cameras stop rolling. Regardless, the actor’s commitment to his role shines through in every scene, and it’s no wonder that viewers have been enraptured by his performance since the series first debuted in 2018.
With the season five finale now behind us, we can only imagine what’s in store for Jamie and the rest of the Dutton family when Yellowstone returns with more episodes in November. And only time will tell if Taylor Sheridan will give Jamie the redemption arc that fans believe he deserves.
Yellowstone Season 5’s second part will be available on November 10, 2024.
Stream Yellowstone on Paramount+.
