Taylor Sheridan’s taking a crazy detour, and Yellowstone fans are scratching their heads. The man who gave us some of Kevin Costner’s most jaw-dropping scenes is now out there living his ranch-hand fantasy — with Bella Hadid, no less. Yep, the supermodel.

Fans are less than impressed, and honestly, who could blame them? The epic storytelling that once made Yellowstone must-watch TV feels like a distant memory now. Sheridan’s cowboy antics might make for tabloid gold, but they’re doing nothing to save a show that’s losing steam fast.

Taylor Sheridan’s Ego Ride: Travis Outshines Kevin Costner’s Iconic Biker Takedown

Taylor Sheridan has officially outdone himself — or at least, Travis Wheatley has. In Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 12, Sheridan’s self-insert character turned the cowboy dial up to 11, leaving fans scratching their heads and Kevin Costner’s iconic biker beatdown in the dust.

The scene-stealing stunts begin with Bella Hadid, who plays Travis’s girlfriend — or maybe herself? Her only job? To fawn over him. When Beth Dutton questioned the appeal of “the most arrogant, condescending, misogynistic man,” Hadid casually replied, “You ever seen him ride before?” Subtle.

From strip poker games (yes, plural) to hosting a pool party dripping with eye-roll-worthy machismo, Travis flexed hard. The episode went into overdrive showcasing Sheridan’s actual mastery in the saddle. The camera ensured no one missed it: no stunts, no tricks — just Sheridan doing cowboy spins like it’s a rodeo highlight reel. One Redditor summed up the sentiment:

I hadn’t even made this connection til right now. Thank you. You hit the nail on the head. What a sad, angry little man.

But Sheridan didn’t stop at showing off. Travis outsmarted Brazilian buyers, scored an extra million dollars for a horse, and even had time to install a stripper pole in his garage. (Corn dogs were also mentioned.) This isn’t just a character — it’s Sheridan’s love letter to himself.

Critics have drawn sharp comparisons between Sheridan’s antics and John Dutton’s classic biker takedown. What once felt like Yellowstone’s peak machismo now reads as Sheridan’s ego-fueled revenge against Costner’s departure.

Taylor Sheridan gave his character a third of the episode, two poker games, and Hadid as arm candy. Was it self-mythologizing brilliance — or a cowboy cry for help? Either way, Yellowstone fans are roped in for the ride.

Fans Call Out Taylor Sheridan for Yellowstone Cameo: A Spotlight Stealer Instead of a Storyline Shaker

Fans are calling out Taylor Sheridan after his Yellowstone cameo in episode 12. His character, Travis Wheatley, announced John Dutton is dead, but it wasn’t just a quick cameo — it turned into a full-on takeover. Instead of adding to the plot, Travis hogged the spotlight.

Viewers aren’t holding back, saying Sheridan’s character feels like an unnecessary distraction. He might be a cowboy badass, but there are no allegations against him, so why take up so much screen time? With core storylines like Beth and Jamie’s war hanging in the balance, this moment felt like a wasted opportunity rather than a pivotal twist.