Taylor Sheridan’s brainchild, Yellowstone, has rounded up an ever-expanding posse of viewers, proving that it’s not just a flash in the pan but rather a firebrand in the realm of TV dramas. Despite initial naysayers quick on the draw with criticism, this show, with its stellar ensemble cast including Kevin Costner & Kelly Reilly, has not just weathered the storm; it has thrived, with viewership numbers jogging steadily since its 2018 premiere.
Now, with the fifth season’s second part gearing up to ride out this November, there’s a question hanging in the air: Is Yellowstone merely corralling the conservative crowd in America, or is there more to this narrative rodeo than meets the eye? Sheridan, for one, has greeted the notion of his work being the “red state” show with nothing more than a guffaw.
Critics may refer to it as “the Republican show” or “the red-state Game of Thrones”, but Sheridan has always viewed his cherished work as a historical narrative entwined with themes of corporate greed, and the upheavals of Western gentrification.
Yellowstone: Taylor Sheridan’s Cautionary Tale Ahead of the Critics
In a world that is often black and white, Yellowstone shines as a stunning mosaic of grey. This neo-Western drama has won our hearts with its complex characters, gripping storylines, and stunning cinematography. But beyond the surface, Yellowstone has been embroiled in a political controversy that has left many scratching their heads.
Critics have branded Yellowstone as the most “red-state” show on television, a label that co-creator Taylor Sheridan vehemently denied. While the show may feature guns, violence, and a yearning for traditional values, it also delves into anti-capitalist themes and environmental destruction. In an interview with The Atlantic in 2022, Sheridan addressed all of the criticism leveled at the show, saying:
They refer to it as ‘the conservative show’ or ‘the Republican show’ or ‘the red-state Game of Thrones’. And I just sit back laughing. I’m like, ‘Really?’The show’s talking about the displacement of Native Americans and the way Native American women were treated and about corporate greed and the gentrification of the West, and land-grabbing.
At the heart of Yellowstone is the Dutton family, a powerful dynasty fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their kingdom. Led by patriarch John Dutton III, played brilliantly by Kevin Costner, the family is faced with threats from all sides, be it corporate greed, land-grabbing, or the displacement of Native Americans.
This ambiguity is intentional, as Sheridan has always aimed to showcase the moral consequences of certain behaviors and decisions. Reiterating that he had warned about what was going to happen, he defended his characters and show:
This was one of the fundamental things I wanted to look at: When you have a kingdom, and you are the king, is there such a thing as morality? Because anyone trying to take your kingdom and remove you as king is going to replace your morality for theirs. So does morality factor into the defense of the kingdom? And what does that make the king? And at the end of the day, that’s really what the show is about.
Consequently, Sheridan’s vision for Yellowstone goes beyond simple political labels.
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone: A Blueprint for ‘Responsible Storytelling’
Taylor Sheridan told The Atlantic that one of his objectives for Yellowstone was to practice “responsible storytelling” by highlighting the seriousness of the outcome. And these outcomes frequently translate into violent deaths and sacrifices in a Western context, usually in the name of defending one’s family or property.
Yellowstone was partly inspired by Sheridan’s personal experiences growing up on a Texas ranch, as well as Clint Eastwood’s revisionist Westerns. The Sons of Anarchy actor said:
[Eastwood] shattered the myth of the American Western. So when I stepped into that world, I wanted there to be real consequences. I wanted to never, ever shy away from, This was the price.
While critics may try to pigeonhole Yellowstone as a show for “red-state”, the truth is far more nuanced. It is a show that challenges its viewers to think critically about the world around them and to question the true cost of power and ambition.
Yellowstone Season 5’s second part will air on November 10, 2024.
You can stream Yellowstone on Paramount+.
