In a shocking reversal of fortune, news has emerged that canceling Yellowstone may be on the table.
Does such a move make sense? Yes or no, depends on how you look at it.
From a fan’s perspective, it’s a no-brainer. We hate to see our show end, even if a spin-off (or ten) is in the works. From a business perspective, it’s a little difficult to navigate.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been to Yellowstone
This is a unique situation as we haven’t seen a new episode of Yellowstone on TV since January 1, 2023.
At the time, we thought this was a mid-season finale and that the story would pick up later in the year. But then the industry collapsed and a series of strikes turned everything upside down.
Oh, and Yellowstone star Kevin Costner has decided to spend more time focusing on his vanity project, the four-part Horizon film series.
The first installment in the series failed miserably at the box office. But the bridges Costner burned when he left Dutton Ranch are still in ash.
There is light on the horizon
We’ll never know exactly why or how things fell apart so dramatically behind the scenes, but the result is the second half of Yellowstone season 5 part 2 that we’ve been waiting for nearly two years.
More important than the long wait was the unexpected (but somewhat expected) cancellation of cable TV’s biggest show.
Since Yellowstone was billed as Costner’s starring vehicle, continuing the show without its star could have been problematic. What if Costner fans left with him?
There’s been a lot of back-and-forth speculation about whether Costner would return and if the show would return. should To continue without him at the helm.
But then Horizon dropped, and Yellowstone fans weren’t rushing to the theaters. “Horizon” is a meandering three-hour bust that’s been likened to the beginning of a TV series rather than a sprawling dramatic epic that fans want to devour.
We’ll never know why Horizon bombed, but at least for now it seems the love for Yellowstone outweighs the love Coster fans have for the actor. Who would have thought?
This story helps cancel Yellowstone Park
Storyline-wise, Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 8 was a perfect transition into a star-less Yellowstone, as Jamie (Wes Bentley) gets closer to leaving his adoptive father, just like he did in ” “Yellowstone” Season 4 Episode 10 left his biological father.
The relationship between Jamie and Beth has always been acrimonious, thanks to a critical error in judgment that Jamie made when taking her to a doctor’s appointment for an abortion.
The repercussions of this action have been boiling between the two brothers for five seasons, and eventually, there will be a resolution. Canceling Yellowstone isn’t necessary for the story to continue, but there’s plenty of material to play with.
Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) have become the de facto leaders of Yellowstone.
They are fan favorites and audiences can never get enough of them. They could just as easily launch a new series, but they could also carry on Yellowstone’s legacy as it is.
Beth had never been much of a fan of preserving Yellowstone, but it was in Rip’s blood. It was his first real home and brought him the love of his life. If John fell, Rip and Beth would have no problem taking his place.
It might make sense that Jamie would be heading to the train station if Jamie succeeded in killing John Dutton and Rip learned what he did to Beth, but another one focuses on his ongoing downfall and gives A Bess and Rip season will be certainly worth watching.
Keith (Luke Grimes) has always been on the fringes of the story because his family situation dominates. But one thing you can say about the Duttons is that when the going gets tough, they stick together like moss to stone.
In fact, the cancellation of Yellowstone would make sense for fans and even Paramount
When the cancellation was announced, it made sense from a practical perspective. Paramount aired the show, and you know they were hoping to reap the rewards by airing it on Paramount+ the next day.
Taylor Sheridan’s work on streaming has been so good that he’s become a top producer at Paramount+ and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s almost criminal for Peacock to be rewarded with repeat views.
But Yellowstone fans are already intrigued.
Since the show aired on Paramount, the company was paid handsomely by advertising on television’s biggest show. Is it helpful or harmful to keep audiences away from “Peacock”?
Prices are rising all the time and it’s impossible to subscribe to all services just for a few shows. Even if Paramount+ doesn’t benefit from the flagship series, goodwill may dictate that Yellowstone continues as is.
The popularity alone suggests that keeping Yellowstone on the map is a good idea. Even though 1883, 1923, and Madison are all in the same universe, they don’t carry that branding in their titles.
Plus, the Duttons aren’t the only characters connected to Yellowstone.
I’m very invested in booking and Thomas Rainwater’s leadership. The Rainwater family also existed in 1923, and if Yellowstone hadn’t been cancelled, there might have been less reason to keep many of the peripheral characters.
Demand for more Yellowstone remains strong
Let’s face it. Stars may demand big pay raises for new series. They are negotiating now. Frankly, they deserve a raise. Yellowstone has dominated industry conversation for years. People hung on every word. Where else do you see this kind of attention today?
This isn’t the first time the series has lost a lead.
But this may be the first time audiences have been so invested in other characters on the show. Personally, I know I’ll be following Beth Dutton, her antics, and her fiery, all-encompassing love for Rip. They have become Yellowstone.
As we’ve discussed before, television shows should create stars, not rely on them. Riley and Houser had been successful on their own before Yellowstone, but what they created with Beth and Rip surpassed their achievements. Now, they are stars.
If cancellation of Yellowstone is imminent, this fan is all for it. There are signs you’re on board too.
