As Beth Dutton once said, “I made two bad decisions in my life based on fear, and they cost me everything”, but viewers have probably seen many more.
Indeed, Beth, portrayed by the fiery Kelly Reilly, shows no signs of losing her charge on Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama series Yellowstone. Since its creation first appeared on Paramount Network in 2018, we have followed the ups and downs of the unpredictable lives of the Dutton family.
Nonetheless, one must ask: Has the moment arrived when Sheridan will no longer be able to protect the volatile Beth from the growing chorus of fans who label her as “obnoxious”?
In fact, while Reilly’s superb acting may evoke the untamable force of her character, the fandom thinks that this storm might be spiraling into a stale vortex. With Yellowstone’s storied landscape studded with fierce battles against land-hungry developers and the show carving out its neo-Western niche, is the vitriol aimed at Beth Dutton worth its salt or is it merely clouded judgment?
Yellowstone’s Beth Dutton is in Dire Need of a Character Reset?
Yes, the world of Yellowstone and the controversial character that is Beth Dutton. She’s been hailed as the queen of chaos and destruction, with her sharp tongue and ruthless actions leaving a trail of devastation in her wake.
But as Taylor Sheridan and John Linson continue to develop her character, some fans are starting to tire of her antics. It seems that even her defender, Kelly Reilly’s superb acting, can no longer mask Beth’s obnoxious behavior.
As Beth herself would say, “You are the trailer park. I am the tornado”. She certainly knows how to make an entrance into the room and leave a lasting impression. But as the seasons go on, it seems that Beth’s stormy personality has become a bit stale for some viewers.
Fans have been vocal about their dislike for Beth, with many calling her a “twat” and suggesting that she should suffer in the final season of the show.
Meanwhile, viewers wish for a more satisfying conclusion for Jamie’s character; they find the way she treats her brother cruel and unsatisfying. They want Beth to suffer more than Jamie. So much so that they have even noted that nothing is empowering about Reilly’s character.
While Beth may be a formidable warrior in designer pumps, it’s becoming clear that her destructive tendencies are wearing thin on fans. The consensus seems to be that, while she may be entertaining to watch, her lack of redeeming qualities and constant need for vengeance make her a difficult character to root for.
Beth’s Complexity: A Case Study in Character’s Development
Ah, Beth Dutton—the fiery Dutton daughter with a tongue sharp enough to cut through steel. Played by the talented Kelly Reilly, this Yellowstone character is known for her brash and inflammatory speech that may leave her opponents feeling like they’ve been hit by a freight train.
From her cataclysmic relationship with her father’s girlfriend Summer Higgins (Piper Perabo), to her inability to connect with her nephew Tate (Brecken Merrill), it is apparent that Beth is not in a good place. She may have had a tough upbringing, but her lack of personal responsibility only adds to her disheveled nature. Despite her flaws, Rip (Cole Hauser) still chooses to stand by her side, showing that there is some hope for her yet.
But don’t be fooled by the illusion of development in Beth’s character. Despite her marriage to Rip, she remains the same privileged and unhinged Dutton child she has always been. Plus, the ongoing feud between Beth and Jamie is like a never-ending roller coaster, with both siblings constantly vying for the upper hand.
But after years of conflict, it’s time to come to an agreement. Beth’s past may shed light on her motivations, but it’s up to her to make a lasting change for the better. Unfortunately, Yellowstone doesn’t seem to prioritize character development, leaving our leads stuck in a loop of repetitive behavior.
In a nutshell, as the show continues to delve deeper into the complexities of the Dutton family, it shall be interesting to see how Beth’s character arc flares. Will she continue down the path of descent, or will she find a way to redeem herself in the eyes of viewers?
Yellowstone Season 5’s second part will be available on November 10, 2024.
Stream Yellowstone on Paramount+.
