How Yellowstone Became The Worst Show In Its Own Franchise

After two critically acclaimed spinoff series, Yellowstone is arguably the weakest show in its own franchise despite being one of television’s most popular titles. Writer/producer Taylor Sheridan created the Western drama, which ran its first season in 2018. The star power of Kevin Costner and the Yellowstone cast filled a unique void in modern prestige television, maintaining enormous viewership numbers for its first five seasons. Like many popular shows, its popularity has spawned an entire Western franchise, with 1883 and 1923 already premiering seasons and many more to come.

Despite its popularity, Yellowstone isn’t the most consistently well-received show, with major dips in its recent seasons. Seasons 4 and 5 are some of the worst seasons in the Yellowstone franchise, and season 1 isn’t much better. While seasons 2 and 3 create an argument for its quality, 1883 solidified itself as an excellent miniseries, and 1923 is off to a far more promising start after its first season. A solid case can be made that Yellowstone has become the worst series in the franchise, with many factors contributing to its decline.

Yellowstone’s BTS Drama & Controversies Have Derailed Its Ending

Yellowstone Season 5 Could Tank The Show’s Legacy

The most significant cause of Yellowstone’s decline is the behind-the-scenes drama. Of course, seasons 4 and 5 weren’t exceptional, but the final nail in the coffin of any television show is a bad ending. A series can run for years with praise and excitement, then be immediately wiped from the zeitgeist if the ending isn’t satisfying. With that in mind, season 5, part 1, aired in late 2022, with Yellowstone’s BTS problems and controversies leading to an expected two-year delay between seasons. The final episodes should air in late 2024, but there’s a major caveat.

Both Yellowstone and the upcoming epic Horizon: An American Saga star Kevin Costner in a leading role, but the similarities don’t end there.

Kevin Costner, the show’s star and most vital aspect of its success, will not return for Yellowstone season 5, part 2, to complete his arc as John Dutton. This is an enormous blow for the series as, despite an excellent ensemble, so much of the series revolves around Costner’s star power and leadership. The Dutton siblings are compelling characters, but an off-screen removal of the show’s main character could result in a disastrous final run. Not to mention, a two-year delay is enough to drain the anticipation out of any show.

With the series spreading out into sequels, Yellowstone should’ve been the touchstone of its franchise, serving as a centerpiece around which future shows would orbit. 1883 and 1923 have quickly become some of Taylor Sheridan’s best shows, and much of their appeal is that they tie back to the original show, exploring the Dutton family ancestors and early stories about the ranch. If the final Yellowstone season bombs, future shows could shift further from the Duttons. 6666 and 2024 already plan to do so, though their plot details aren’t clear.

Yellowstone’s Prequels Benefit From A Period Western Setting

The Period Setting Of 1883 & 1923 Increases The Stakes

In terms of Westerns, Yellowstone is rather unique in its setting, often lending itself more to soap opera or crime than the traditional genre elements. The prequels, particularly 1883, benefit from their period settings as they add a more prevalent risk factor to the Dutton drama. Western gunslinging action is far more challenging to pull off in a contemporary setting, proven by the fact that many of the murders on Yellowstone are covered up without explanation.

In 1883, unfiltered violence and the constant danger of the American frontier is a consistent threat, adding a compelling nature that Yellowstone often lacks. The character drama and relationships may be better in Yellowstone, as 1823 doesn’t have as much time to factor in side characters. 1923, however, settles into a neat middle ground between the two with long-term character arcs and a consistent quality of peril that adds to its stakes.

Yellowstone’s Spinoffs Have A More Focused Premise Than The Main Show

1883 & 1923 Are More Compact With More Direct Drama

A Yellowstone cast member made a bold declaration about the upcoming series finale, but it’s hard to believe, given season 5’s lack of Kevin Costner.

1883 & 1923 Both Borrow The Best Of Yellowstone (But Learn From Its Mistakes)

The Prequel Shows Lack The Dull Melodrama Of Yellowstone’s Later Seasons

From the Yellowstone franchise to shows like Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King, Taylor Sheridan has had a ton of time to develop as a showrunner and writer since beginning the series in 2018. It’s hard to change course once a show has already begun, but he got a fresh start with Westerns in his prequels and demonstrated clear growth. In terms of character work, both 1883 and 1923 have well-written, prominent female protagonists, which is a massive reason for their praise, allowing them to stand out in a historically male-dominated genre.

Yellowstone’s best moments are character-driven, such as the show’s various romances or the familial bonds formed by characters in the bunkhouse. However, the series can often feel stilted or melodramatic, especially after several seasons where it’s exhausted many of the possibilities. Repetition is also an issue with the show’s antagonists, which the contemporary setting contributes to. 1883 and 1923 are both far more compact and don’t suffer from the same lulls as the original series.

Yellowstone’s Spinoffs Have More Creative Freedom & Bigger Stars

Taylor Sheridan Writes 1883 & 1923 By Himself

With great success often comes more creative freedom, and that’s been the case for Taylor Sheridan, who’s found more creative control in his spinoffs. On Yellowstone, Sheridan was the co-creator alongside John Linson, whereas he’s the sole creator on 1883 and 1923. While he hasn’t directed episodes commonly on the prequels, he is the only writer on both shows. In an interview with THR, he spoke about the need for singular creative control and why that means he doesn’t utilize a writer’s room anymore on his series.

There’s no denying that Yellowstone has a stacked cast, with Kevin Costner being one of his generation’s most famous actors. However, 1923 took matters to an all-new level with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. Not only are both stars incredibly accomplished actors, but the Western drama has them putting in some of the best performances of their careers. 1883 also benefits from a star-studded cast, including a cameo from Tom Hanks. Yellowstone was an excellent launch-off point for the franchise, but it may quickly become overshadowed.