Yellowstone - Season 1 (2024) Paramount Plus Series Review

Intro with Paramount now added to binge Watcher what better way than to kick things off by traveling all the way to the Wild Wild West so saddle up and get ready for the ride because we're taking things country with season 1 of Yellowstone is the hype around Yellowstone all it's made out to be and is season one worth the watch in the rugged and Untamed Reader's Digest Landscapes of Montana Yellowstone follows the powerful Dutton family owners of the largest Ranch in the US say this sprawling property is a symbol of wealth power and tradition but it's also the focal point of Relentless conflict season 1 introduces John Dutton the formidable patriarch as he battles to protect his family's Legacy from those who seek to take it facing threats from Land developers rival ranchers and the nearby Native American reservation the Dutton must navigate a web of violence betrayal and shifting loyalties the core conflict revolves around the Dutton strugg to maintain control over their land as political and personal battles intensify the family is drawn into a ruthless fight where morality is often blurred the Dutton must confront not only external enemies but also internal fractures that threaten to tear them apart Yellowstone is more than just a family drama it's a modern Western that explores themes around power Legacy and survival the show captures the clash between what's old and new what's traditional and progress as it delves into the family complexities and the lengths one would go to protect what's theirs we're getting Nine episodes that are roughly made up of between 45 to 60 Minutes in length for the plot and story line it's The Plot & Storyline something that I can only describe as being a thrilling watch I cannot believe that I have allowed myself to let this show go all the way through to a season five and not even watched it and I tell you what I've watch the hell out of that first season I think I watched all episodes in a day it was that good the show in season 1 is all centered around how history is meeting modern day there are older people that hold older values and then there's the more modern person coming into the fold that's trying to change everything it's all about money control Power and the people of Montana specifically the Dutton are fixated on not allowing the modern people and World affect what they know and love about their history and what demonstrates this really really well I thought in the very very beginning early on in the first episode as we're opening up is there is an argument in court between Jamie who's one of the dutton's sons and another lawyer and they're arguing the case of land preservation versus public expansion need vers desire and it sets the show up perfectly as we start to move further into the season we start to see different people on chessboard all of which the Dutton family have to go up against you've got the land developers which are pushing their modern day agenda rival ranchers who are pushing their agenda for land and power and then you've got the Native American reservation who believe and rightly so that the land is theirs so their agenda is to take back what is theirs and what's interesting is they're doing it using casinos to take from the people that took the land and used their money to buy back the land so it's quite clever to be fair and all of these different people on the chessboard that are trying to maneuver against the duttons is what the duttons have to navigate through now the Dutton control of the land is very strong but these threats are so strong that the family will need to unite in order to face and navigate against these people that are on the chessboard for me this show has completely had me hooked from the moment I started watching it all the way through to the end of season 1 I couldn't stop the story kept me interested and excited I was emotionally invested and ultimately it was just causing me not to be able to stop watching it it was binge watching in its finest it gave me a similar feeling to other TV shows that I would just rate highly and that sense of Anything could happen just had me on the edge of my seat and it's just something that I absolutely love from TV shows when it comes to plot holes the one that was noticeable for me was Beth's involvement in the company and it being a little bit under developed when we're first introduced to Beth there is a meeting going on in an office very very corporate and then we switch scenes to her working at her desk and she's been summoned by her boss because he wants her to come and close this deal that he's struggling with and my God you understood her just like that her portrayal is just power ruthless businesswoman she gets stuff done and as much as I've enjoyed her portrayal and even her entrance into the season it doesn't give you a backstory as to how she made her way in the professional world you know how did she get there today you do see that with other characters as small as some may be but you still get that development factored in or even still just how did she gain such influence you can figure it out based on how she comes across in her portrayal in the very beginning yes but that's something that's worked into the character you don't just end up like that and it seems like her high stakes involvement in Big Business decisions seems disproportionate to what is revealed around her actual experience and that then leads into some questions about the realism of her character even still in season one that I've seen so far she is a brilliant character and maybe with all that being said the fact that her portrayal was just so strong just simply makes up for that because it wasn't a gaping hole it was just something that could have been added and could be seen as a plot hole but she is a brilliant character absolutely brilliant but I would have wanted to see a little bit more backstory with her now when it comes to inconsistencies the main one for me is all centered around Lee Dutton there's a clear lack of development and build with this character especially with someone that's so highly involved in the day-to-day running of the ranch early on in episode one there's an exchange going on between Jamie and John Lee is then introduced from getting out of a car to crack on with his day and get the ranch work going he's interrupted the exchange between John and Jamie and it's evident that John is wanting Lee to succeed him in the beginning or so we think because we're introduced to Lee as being the eldest son to John Dutton and clearly one of the most involved in running the ranch however his character is really really underdeveloped in comparison to the other Dutton children and after his death in episode 1 he's barely mentioned now the reason this is an inconsistency for me is the sheer lack of impact his death has had on the family Dynamics particularly in the immediate aftermath of the series which seems inconsistent with the show's emphasis around family loyalty and the importance of the ranch now there are a few lingering questions for me but only a few why does John Dutton have favoritism towards his children and what is the cause of this individually and why is Casey Evelyn dutton's favorite of all the children The Characters now this series stars Kevin Cosner as John Dutton Kelly Riley as Beth Dutton Luke Grimes as Casey Dutton Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton Dave annabal as Lee Dutton Kelsey asor as Monica Cole Hower as Rip wheeler Gil Birmingham as Chief Thomas rainwater and Danny Houston as Dan Jenkins now who are the ones to watch in season 1 as always we need our choices for the ones to watch there is going to be a long list but the ones to watch for me are John Beth Casey and Jamie Dutton along with rip Chief rainwater and Dan Jenkins now who is the one to watch out of the ones to watch now for me this was a really really difficult decision because all the characters brought something special to the show but it kept in line with the story and it made it that much more entertaining but for me the chosen one to watch is John Dutton with Beth Dutton coming in at a very close second now the reason for John is that not only is it Kevin cner not only is it Kevin Cosner in a western movie but the portrayal that this man had just gave everything emotional connection relationship dynamics that he has with his children his sheer Authority his willingness to stop at nothing to protect his family protect his Ranch ultimately protect what is his old school values that he carries and doesn't care about this modern world that's coming at him doesn't care about the people that are on the chess board he might care but he comes across as not showing the care because he is willing to stop at nothing to defend and protect and all of that around his character and it's only season one makes it such a thrilling watch now when it comes to character development this aligned per perfectly with what the show was trying to deliver on in this season which was all around setting up and showing us the world that we're about to embark on as well as the character relationship dynamics that are at play I would say that it is setting the stage because they clearly knew that they were in this for the long run and obviously we've got season five so they definitely knew they were in it for the long run to start with John Dutton the father and leader of the family and the ranch a man who Bears the weight of Generations on his shoulders fighting to protect his family Legacy and the land that defines them but as enemies are closing in from all sides how far will he go to safeguard and protect what's his and at what cost now John's portrayal I mean it's the reason that he's the one to watch it was an excellent portrayal a balance of an overprotective father but also someone that is really defining old world values we see the people on the ranch that he works with as well as his family and those closest to him almost drive a sense of fear within them because they don't want to disappoint him he gives off that Vibe but he is direct he is straight down the middle but he is also fair and he does show care for his family and those around him on the ranch that are all supporting in the day-to-day activities of the ranch and he also shows that it's just clearly not his first rodeo he's got sheer experience with having to fight this battle to protect the ranch from many enemies in the past and it's obvious that he's been taught the ways of what needs to get done and how to get it done there seems to be little plot twists or little problems that crop up and every time they do he's very strategic in being able to analyze and think he will take his time to think on what needs to get done and the decision that he needs to take accept that decision and power through to see it through to the end I think the thing that perfectly defines how far he is willing to go is that every single time someone chooses to leave the ranch a member of the community that does the day-to-day running they are taken to a clifftop to get killed and he has in forced that way because he doesn't want the ways of the running of the ranch or any secrets to get out that cause the ranch to become vulnerable and the land taken away because we have to remember that it is the biggest Ranch in Montana that he owns So for me with this character honestly willing to stop at nothing to protect what's his now with Beth Dutton I meant what I said clear clear second very very close to being my favorite character a strong businesswoman that I can only describe as being the Handler for her father or at least one of them Beth is a woman that is forged in fire unapologetically ruthless in protecting her family and the Legacy that defines her but beneath her hardened exterior lies a heart that is just scarred by betrayal and loss how far will Beth go to Shield those she loves and will her Relentless pursuit of Vengeance ultimately destroy her now we've discussed what we saw in the beginning of episode one but as we progress through the episodes of the Season Beth is just diabolical she and Dan have an interaction on a numerous number of occasions where she needs to mess with him and cause disruption because Dan is trying to buy the land around her father's land Yellowstone so that he can disrupt the day-to-day Runnings he's also partnered up with Chief rainwater Beth is all over this she meets him at a bar in their first interactions and pretend that she wants to have some sort of Affair and actually it leads into completely the opposite but then also ends up having an interaction with his wife from that interaction what we know about Dan's wife is that she is completely and utterly bored of Montana and enter Beth her strategy is simply to just have loads of fun because she can see that Dan's wife is completely bored out of her skull so what Beth's doing is just causing in complete disruption to Dan's life making herself an absolute headache for him and that progresses to get more and more severe I would say that Beth is very very similar to her father and what I mean by that is that she is willing to stop at nothing to protect what is the families but also she is not doing it just to protect the family her drive in all of this is what ever John Dutton her father says to do she will do without question she also has quite a humble side when it comes to Casey because she recognizes that Casey is the favorite of the children but what you might expect from that is some sort of ill feeling towards her brother but actually it's the complete opposite she's willing to sacrifice and defend to the point where she will just simply hand over the ranch to Casey after the passing of John Dutton Casey Dutton is what I would describe as the chosen one but sees his family as a bit of a curse wanting to stay away from them and the nail in the coffin that actually saw Casey leave the ranch and commit to it was when he met his wife Monica and Monica falling pregnant with his dad having disapproval all around this and wanted Casey to get Monica to get rid of the baby Casey comes across as a man split between two worlds the brutal P that he can't escape and the family Legacy that you just can't ignore as he's drawn back into the Yellowstone Ranch Casey must navigate the delicate balance between protecting his own family as well as living up to the Dutton name will he find peace or will the weight of his choices pull him down even deeper into those family dark struggles now Casey is the clear favorite of all the children in the Dutton family in the beginning when we're introduced to this character we see him living on the Native American reservation with his wife Monica and his son Tate every single day seems to be a struggle for them whether it's money problems or gun violence or some person just causing them trouble to take a Nick stuff from them every single day there is some sort of problem with him and the character and the family now he is so stubborn he is made his choice of getting away from the family because of his father's disapproval completely get it but his life that is shown in this season is one that is a real struggle now I'm not saying life on the ranch is easy but it's definitely going to be easier than what he's going through because they've got the numbers they're well protected they have a level of protection on that ranch and there's work for him to do and also one day he will inherit that Ranch now Casey comes across as being both capable of evil and good seeing his family as the evil and his wife and son as the good but the thing with Casey is that at the end of the season he does give in to going back home because him and Monica have sort of split and what he now has as an objective is to build something for his son to pass on to him I have a funny feeling that this is actually going to be good for him I don't think that even though John Dutton is portrayed as you know this evil man I don't actually think that it's going to be a bad idea for him to go back to the ranch because I think he'll be a little bit more protected there and I think that his family will mold him into the man that he's going to be when it comes to Jamie Dutton this is the Harvard lawyer of the family the person that protects the family in the ranch from a legal standpoint with anyone that is coming to attack he is renowned for his job and his credibility is very very strong however he is the least favorite of the children and that is evident in the portrayal in in the first instance we see Jamie coming out of that court case that I mentioned earlier he is trying to tell his father but his father is acting very very cold in his portrayal towards him that's only one instance but in other instances as well his father has got a clear disliking for him and we don't know why the other side of it as well is that Beth hates his guts I don't know what it is about the dynamic and I'm sure we be covered later on in the other Seasons to come but there is a clear disliking towards Jamie Casey I I think you know he does love him Lee I'm not too sure K but Casey definitely does so I'd be interested to see later on in the seasons I'm sure what the whole backstory between this hatred or disliking of him really is for me Jamie constantly comes across as wanting to seek his father's approval the problem with Jamie is that he can't put his family ahead of his own ambition which does come across to his father and sister but again I don't buy that that's the real reason it really feels like there's more to this story and I am definitely hopeful that we're going to see it in the second and third or fourth season I don't know when but they definitely will close this Gap now rip wheeler the absolute right-hand man to anyone he is the right-hand man to John Dutton but I mean what a a brilliant right-hand man he is Rip has got an interesting backstory and we brought into the fold maybe at the midpoint of the Season as a child his father killed his mother and his brother and he goes on the run now John is a livestock agent who helps the police to find him once finding him gives him a Lifeline takes him in and shows him the ways of the daily Runnings of the ranch fast forward to adult rip he is not just the right-and man but he is the guy that runs everything on the ranch he's the second in command now rip comes across to me as the living and breathing embodiment of someone that demonstrates the word loyalty but I can't help think and I don't know why I just can't it just feels like it's being set up to go that way but I really can't help think that there could be a little bit of a plot twist to come in maybe Seasons two three or four maybe even five where that loyalty is tested now Visual & Cinematography when it comes to visuals there's one that really stood out to me the most and that is the Dutton family symbol that is imprinted on to humans this y symbol represents Yellowstone and this is what they imprint the livestock with but they're putting that on humans what I found really interesting about this Mark is that the people that go to live on the ranch to help run the ranch on a daily are either imprinted with this or they're called Wranglers if you're imprinted with the mark you're there to stay you're in it for life if you are there as a Wrangler you're important for the day-to-day running but you're not as special as the people that get the imprint and the brand is interesting because it was covered off in the latter stages of the season and if it wasn't it was definitely going to be on one of my lingering questions but the people that they go after that have that imprint are people that are given a second chance now this illustrates them keeping the old ways alive and it also plays Into The Narrative of season 1 and it comes back to that very first court case in the opening part of episode one for this season where they're discussing that need vers desire preserving versus wanting to basically modernize and people stuck in the old ways versus a modern people wanting and welcoming change when it comes to the cinematography like other great Western TV shows and movies I feel that they've kept things pretty consistent and also added an element of something new into this mix we get blurring in and out landscape shots but moving with a still picture landscape shots of the surroundings of the valley very country and western and the thing that I thought that was really cool which I had to rewind cuz I couldn't believe that I'd seen that type of cinematography before it was really really good Beth is walking head on into the camera and then the camera sort of come behind her to show her walking away they've introduced camera work that is to be expected and and has been seen before but they've also added an element of something that's fresh and new and that fresh and new is particularly around that be scene that I just described when it comes to Entertainment Value the entertainment value I have to say I have not been this hooked to a TV show in a very long time I thoroughly loved this show I could not recommend it more and I cannot believe it's taken me this long to watch it and I'm thankful that I've now got to see it the suspense that is just surrounding this TV show is insane the possibility of anything can happen is brilliant I mean a brilliant example of this is the car scene with Jamie and Beth Beth has gone to terrorized Dan and she's called Jamie to come and pick her up because she can't drive cuz she's too intoxic ated after Jamie's picked her up they're making their way back to the ranch but they continually bicker argue and everything they are fully going at each other out pops a gun by Beth and Beth is pointing it at herself cut scene into the car driving and then all of a sudden bang and Jamie slams the brakes and all of a sudden you're thinking oh my God Beth is killed herself when actually she hasn't as it cuts back into them inside the car again I have to say that I have absolutely loved season 1 and I cannot wait to watch season 2 this show has almost made me have to delay releasing another episode of binge Watcher because I wanted to just power through but I had to call it and stay true to the delivery of the content for binge Watcher overall Overall season 1 has been an absolute success the plot and story line is something that I can only describe as being a thrilling watch adding suspense to the narrative with a true Western show having that anything could happen type mentality I thought the character development aligned perfectly to what the show was trying to deliver in terms of its narrative setting up and showing the world that we're about to Embark into as well as the character relationship Dynamics I thought the visual and cinematography followed consistency to other Great Western TV shows and movies whilst also adding their own source to things and when it comes to the entertainment value Yellowstone feels like an absolutely brilliant success uccess and for me it ranks right up there with its peers in this shamra I give season one of Binge Watcher Rating Yellowstone 4 and 1 half out of five buckets meaning it's a binge watching Blockbuster if you've been watching the show who's your favorite character mine as you know is John Dutton with Beth Dutton coming in a very close second but let me know yours in the comments below Next Steps as always don't forget to smash a like if you enjoyed subscribe to the channel if you're new and follow us on all social media to stay up to date with the latest content content if you like what you've seen here and you want to see more click right here to see more I'm Outro Matthew this is binge Watcher thanks for binging with me