Yellowstone season 5 will wrap up in the near future, but I find it shocking to think the show plans to wrap up five seasons’ worth of storylines in so few episodes. When the first half of Yellowstone season 5

premiered on Paramount Network in 2022, the sky was the limit for the show. It still attracted huge audiences, meaning all signs pointed to Yellowstone securing a season 6 renewal. That hope came crashing down

when Paramount announced in 2023 that Yellowstone season 5, part 2 would conclude the hit western.

The decision to end Yellowstone was likely fueled by the behind-the-scenes drama with Kevin Costner, who reportedly prioritized his Horizon movie series. As a result, one of the best Yellowstone characters will not be a part of the show’s conclusion. Due to the cancelation, the series has limited episodes to bring the narrative to a satisfying close and set up more Yellowstone spinoffs. Creator Taylor Sheridan will have to take some creative swings to condense Yellowstone’s big finish.

Yellowstone Season 5 Is Only 14 Episodes (& There Are Only 6 Left)
Yellowstone Was Canceled After The First 8 Episodes Aired

Eight episodes of Yellowstone’s season 5 order have already aired, but there was no setup for the show’s endgame. This can be attributed to the cancelation news dropping months after the first half of the season aired. Consequently, Yellowstone season 5, part 1 introduced conflicts to drive the rest of the season and beyond. Sadly, I don’t think six episodes to end years-long character arcs is plausible. It concerns me because the show has many characters, and some may not get the appropriate screen time.

While Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone exit is a big issue, it does open up more screen real estate to give the other characters time to shine. That might be the show’s saving grace in order for the final episodes to feel less rushed. Otherwise, Yellowstone’s finale will leave a bad taste and tarnish the franchise without a satisfying conclusion. The easiest method to secure its future is to handle John Dutton’s departure in a way that honors the character.

Yellowstone’s Final Season Needs To Explain John Dutton’s Departure
Kevin Costner’s Exit Will Have A Detrimental Effect On Yellowstone

Kevin Costner’s time on Yellowstone is already over, but I hope Yellowstone adequately explains what happened to John Dutton. Writing out the number one name on the call sheet before the series finale even airs will the show into uncharted territory. The reality is that without Costner attached, Yellowstone may never have gotten off the ground in the first place. He’s a big name, and the show was a considerable risk for Paramount when it initially premiered. Due to Yellowstone’s reliance on John Dutton, there’s no doubt the show will differ significantly after his departure.

Thanks to Taylor Sheridan’s intricate storytelling, Yellowstone is one of the few shows that surprises me nowadays.

Costner’s been the glue holding the entire series together, seeing as the most critical storylines involve him. Costner was the draw for me initially, but the show has done an excellent job of fleshing out the other characters to make me care about them, too. While I believe Yellowstone can thrive without Costner, it may also alienate me if the exit isn’t handled well enough. Making things more difficult is that Yellowstone season 5, episode 8 featured no indication John Dutton wouldn’t be back.

The only logical way to explain why John is off-screen is to feature a time jump following a life-changing event that shakes up the dynamics. Thanks to Taylor Sheridan’s intricate storytelling, Yellowstone is one of the few shows that surprises me nowadays. He’s a fantastic writer, so he may already have the perfect way to handle John’s last act. Aside from this, I believe that all key storylines need to end without ushering in spinoffs.

Yellowstone’s Storylines Need To End On Yellowstone Season 5 Instead Of Spinoffs
Six Episodes Isn’t Enough Time To End Yellowstone And Set Up Spinoffs

At the time of Yellowstone’s demise, it was revealed a Yellowstone sequel series titled 2024 had been ordered. Initial reports indicated that Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, and Kelly Reilly would be returning. However, their involvement has not been confirmed. The trio are Yellowstone’s breakout stars, so returns down the line for them are inevitable. My biggest problem with cast members moving to 2024 is that revealing the news earlier eliminates the stakes for their characters. To make matters more difficult, Yellowstone season 5, episode 8, wrapped with many questions about the future of the Duttons.

Although Beth, Kayce, and Rip are some of my favorite characters, knowing that they’ll escape the last-ever episodes of Yellowstone unscathed removes all the tension. With such a short time frame to conclude the plot, the barometer of success is low. However, the resolution is the deciding factor in whether I will continue supporting the Yellowstone franchise. A surefire way to ruin one of my favorite shows is to leave important storylines on the table.