Yellowstone’s final episode of its fifth season, airing at 8pm ET on Paramount Network, promises an emotional rollercoaster as the Dutton family faces closure, betrayal, and a seismic shift in their legacy. After a polarizing Episode 13, fans are reeling from the show’s detour into cringe-worthy territory, particularly Taylor Sheridan’s self-inserted character, Travis Wheatley (played by Sheridan himself). Yet, the season finale aims to refocus on Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), and the ranch’s fate, delivering long-awaited payoffs—and some frustrations.
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Episode 13 left fans stunned with Travis dominating screen time, flaunting a midlife crisis lifestyle complete with strip poker and a romance with Bella Hadid’s character, sparking backlash on X. “Beth playing strip poker with Travis? Insulting to her legacy,” one user fumed. The scene, coupled with Travis’s smug demeanor, felt like a betrayal of Yellowstone’s gritty roots, especially with John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) murder unresolved and the ranch teetering on collapse. Fans question Sheridan’s choices, noting Travis’s outsized role overshadows Rip and Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), whose arcs feel undercooked.
The finale shifts gears, centering on Beth’s vow to destroy Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), whom she blames for John’s death. Jamie, now a disgraced Attorney General, clings to his ex, Christina (Katherine Cunningham), who pushes him to attend John’s funeral to deflect suspicion. This proves fatal, as Beth unleashes her fury, exposing Jamie’s treachery to all. True to her Season 4 promise, Beth targets Jamie’s son, Tate, in a harrowing confrontation where Rip forces Jamie to watch his family suffer. Fans expect Beth and Rip to adopt Tate, setting up their spinoff, hinted at in Episode 13. “Beth as a mom? Wild but fitting,” a fan tweeted.
The ranch’s future takes a predictable yet poignant turn as Beth and Kayce (Luke Grimes) transfer it to the Broken Rock Reservation, led by Rainwater. Fulfilling the 1883 prophecy that the land would return to its original owners after seven generations, this move ensures Tate’s inheritance but breaks the Duttons’ hearts. Fans saw this coming, but Sheridan’s heavy-handed reveal frustrates some. “It’s smart, but did he think we wouldn’t guess?” one X post read. Rainwater’s limited screen time this season—mostly staring at pipelines—leaves viewers craving more context on why the reservation deserves the land.
John’s funeral, meant to be intimate, becomes a public spectacle due to his gubernatorial status, amplifying the family’s grief. Meanwhile, Teeter (Jennifer Landon) and Walker (Ryan Bingham) bid farewell, heading to Texas’s 6666 Ranch after Travis hires them, cementing his controversial role as the ranch’s financial savior via his horse show. Fans groan at more Travis scenes, with Rip’s minimal presence this season—barely mourning John or clashing with Jamie—diminishing his finale impact. “Rip deserves better than Travis hype,” a viewer posted.
Despite missteps, Yellowstone’s finale aims to honor its legacy with emotional farewells and Beth’s ruthless justice. Will the ranch handover and Jamie’s downfall satisfy fans, or will Travis’s shadow loom too large? Tune in to see if Sheridan sticks the landing or if spinoffs like 1944 must redeem the Dutton saga.
