Season 5 review, Kevin Costner’s future and final rumors

It’s been almost two years since the finale of Part 1 of the fifth season of “Yellowstone” – the latest installment of the massive series created by Taylor Sheridan – debuted on Paramount Network on New Year’s Day 2023. You’ve probably forgotten some of the intricacies of the Dutton family feuds and the general chaos that drives “Yellowstone,” but fear not: here’s a refresher on the events that unfolded in this finale, in the context of the behind-the-scenes events that took place Kevin Costner’s departure led to the show – and information about the future of the series.

When we last left our cowboys…

In the first half of the season, viewers learned more about Rip (Cole Hauser) and his beginnings in Yellowstone. “A Knife and No Coin,” the final episode of the first half of season five, begins with another flashback featuring Young Rip (Kyle Red Silverstein) and Young John (Josh Lucas). They drop off Rowdy, a cowboy whom Rip killed after speaking inappropriately about young Beth (Kylie Rogers), at the train station (aka disposing of his body), and young John makes it clear that this is what they are doing now forever: “You will be part of this ranch until the day you die.” Young John also finds out that young Rip is taken with young Beth herself, and says some prophetic words: “The only time you fight “When you work for me is to protect someone who works for the ranch, or the ranch itself.” You will be surprised how much you have to fight. It surprises me.” – before Young Rip gets the Yellowstone brand. Ouch!

Then today we check back with Jimmy (Jefferson White), who was largely absent during the season. He lives with his girlfriend Emily (Kathryn Kelly) in house 6666 and is really into raptures. He dresses up to ride horses while also making time to make out with Emily after she completes her veterinary duties. These sweet cowboys are living the good life, but the long-awaited spin-off series “6666” is about to make it always get up from the ground?

Meanwhile, at the Dutton ranch, Rip is ready to lead a group of cowboys to Texas to transport all of their livestock to prevent an outbreak of the bacterial disease brucellosis. Beth (Kelly Reilly) says an emotional goodbye to Rip, but also says she’s flying out to see him in a week, so they’ll be fine – she’s rich and will, I’m sure, take a private jet any time. It’s a little darker when Teeter (Jennifer Landon) leaves Colby (Denim Richards) behind, but she gives him a big kiss and says “I love you,” so it’s a sweet moment.

Not so sweet is Jamie (Wes Bentley), who, as attorney general, addresses the Montana legislature and Senate and demands the establishment of a tribunal to impeach his father, Montana Governor John Dutton (Costner). His argument? By eliminating funding for the airport that Jamie had worked to implement, John violated state law, failed to act in the best interests of Montana, opened it up to litigation, lost taxpayer dollars, and hurt tourism.

Beth hears the news and angrily makes her way to Jamie’s house, where she breaks in with a brick and then hits Jamie over the head with that brick. As he bleeds, she tries to blackmail him with pictures of him taking his biological father to the train station, but Jamie laughs it off and tells Beth that there are decades of dead bodies down there above John and Rip, bringing down the whole family would.

Still angry, Beth makes her way to John’s governor’s mansion, where she wants to know if the train station story Jamie told is true. When John confirms her suspicions, she is equally upset about not being let in on the family secret and about the fact that her influence over her brother is now limited, so she asks her father if they should accept it Jamie even to the train station. He thinks about it and they have an inaudible conversation…terrifying!

Ironically, at the same time, Jamie asks his lover and fixer Sarah (Dawn Olivieri) if she knows of a hitman who could take care of Beth, knowing she wants him dead. Sarah does Know a guy! Oh no!

In the meantime:

*John asks Monica (Kelsey Asbille) if she and Kayce (Luke Grimes) can move into a modest house in Yellowstone’s East Camp so Kayce can take care of the ranch while John rules in Helena. She agrees because she wants Yellowstone to be a legacy for her son Tate (Brecken Merrill).

*Summer (Piper Perabo) is still stuck under house arrest at the Dutton Ranch and not with John in Helena – embarrassing!

*Carter (Finn Little), Rip and Beth’s adopted son, learns how to be a cowboy and how to flirt. Unfortunately, he seems more interested in the cattle than his potential love interest.

What was all the drama between seasons with Kevin Costner? Will he appear in new episodes of the series?

There’s been a lot of wrangling since Yellowstone last aired, but overall Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan haven’t been able to agree on filming schedules.

Discussion about Costner’s reduced availability to film more “Yellowstone” first began in February 2023, when it was reported that Costner was no longer available as many days as he had been in the past. In September 2023, during his divorce proceedings in court, it was revealed that he had postponed filming of his four-part film series “Horizon: An American Saga” in order to participate in the first part of the fifth season. However, Costner said that the scripts for the second part of the fifth season were not available in time and therefore he was unable to film them. However, he believes he is still owed payments for the season, a matter he would potentially take to court.

However, Costner discussed a possible return in April, saying: “I’d like to make it happen.” He reiterated that sentiment in June, saying: “I’d like to come back under the right circumstances – I think that’s what we all want.” But later month, he seemed to rule it out completely, saying, “I just realized I can’t continue Season 5B or in the future.”

Is this the final season of Yellowstone? Isn’t there a spin-off with Matthew McConaughey coming soon?

Again, the answer is full of back and forth behind the scenes. Initial discussions about the end of the show and the beginning of another chapter came with the first report of Costner’s departure, with the news that it would be “a new addition to the ‘Yellowstone’ franchise, featuring several characters from the Mothership show with Matthew McConaughey would be in discussion.” Star.”

In May 2023, Paramount Network made the big announcement that “‘Yellowstone’ is officially coming to an end and the final episodes of the fifth season of the mega-hit Paramount Network series are scheduled to debut in November.” Additionally, an untitled sequel has been ordered to appear in will debut on Paramount Network in December.”

But in November 2023, it was announced that the episodes would be delayed by a year, and two spin-offs were mentioned: the historical “1944” and the contemporary “2024.”

In August 2024, “2024” was renamed “The Madison” and Michelle Pfeiffer was hired as the lead actress. The show’s premise is about “a New York family in the Madison River Valley of central Montana.”

Later this month diversity reported that a sixth season of Yellowstone starring Reilly and Hauser was being discussed – but nothing has been greenlit yet.

Meanwhile, two other previously announced chapters in the “Yellowstone” universe are still in the works: “1923,” the prequel starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, has been renewed for a second season, and the spinoff “6666” is underway still in development.