Episode one of Yellowstone has one of the greatest pre-credits sequences of all time. A brutal yet tender scene shows John Dutton comforting a horse before being forced to put it down after its leg is severely broken in an accident. This single episode seemed to announce a new powerhouse in television, particularly for an older generation of viewers. Or perhaps not entirely new – Dallas and Dynasty had already captured that audience decades earlier, and Taylor Sheridan’s show recaptured that love and hasn’t let go. While the main show is over, its legacy lives on with its latest spin-off, Dutton Ranch, following fan favourites Rip and Beth.
Taking place after the events of its predecessor, we open in Wyoming, where Rip and Beth are living with their pseudo‑adoptive son, Carter. Finally feeling free for the first time in their lives, their world is suddenly turned upside down when a fire breaks out, forcing them to flee to save their lives. Now in Texas, Beth and Rip are rebuilding after losing everything, facing new challenges and rivals that will put them to the test.
From the outset, Dutton Ranch is visually striking. Watching the lead duo ride across the beautiful terrain during golden hour is nothing short of captivating. The golden hour is used to perfection throughout the first four episodes—especially in a moment in episode 4 that is both breathtaking and haunting in its beauty, leading to one of the strongest and most emotional scenes in the entire franchise. Yellowstone has always been a visually striking series, and as a long‑time viewer, it’s rewarding to see that this attention to detail remains intact.
Despite Marshals being the first post–main series spin‑off, that show leaned more into a scenario‑of‑the‑week procedural style. While entertaining, it never carried the same bite as the main series. Here, it shifts the focus back to ranching, and perhaps that was the secret ingredient its sibling show lacked. While I inherently find Rip and Beth more compelling characters than Kayce, what truly drew me to Yellowstone was the ranch itself, watching our core cast handle the animals and foster a community against the beautiful landscapes of Wyoming.
Seeing this return, now transplanted to Texas, reminds me exactly why I love this franchise. There’s even a scene in this series that echoes the opening of the very first episode in an eerie, deliberate way. Even the opening theme is ominous, utilising key motifs and re-textualising them to create an introduction that is rooted in the past yet evolved into something new. Even then, some moments will have fans enticed and gripped like the potential birth of a new train station.
Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly were born to play Rip and Beth, respectively. They’ve portrayed these characters for close to eight years, and despite that, they continue to evolve. You can feel how the events of the main show linger with them, both physically and mentally. The scars on Beth’s face and back remain from previous series, and that attention to detail allows Kelly Reilly to deliver a layered performance, as, despite being a spin‑off, the slate isn’t wiped clean. Seeing Rip tap back into his aggressive, enforcer side is satisfying, but Cole Hauser now carries the weight of being the John Dutton of his own ranch. He’s the head of the operation, a natural and compelling progression for the character.
The new cast additions are also riveting. Ed Harris, as always, delivers a strong performance as Everett McKinney, and Annette Bening is excellent as the primary rival, Beulah Jackson, the matriarch of 10 Petal Ranch. There are some minor flaws. Some characters feel a bit lacklustre. One of which being Oreana, who develops a complicated relationship with Carter. At times, it feels reminiscent of early Beth, and she seems positioned mainly to create potential tension between Carter and Beth. Yet across the first four episodes, her arc lacks a clear or compelling direction. This may change as the series progresses, but for now, she remains underdeveloped.
After just four episodes, Dutton Ranch soars as a true successor to the main Yellowstone series. If Marshals focused on the more action‑oriented aspects of the franchise, this series restores its core identity: the ranching, which has been sorely missing. Beth and Rip return in full force, leading to captivating television that may stand as one of the year’s strongest series. This is definitive television.
★★★★★
Premieres May 15th on Paramount + (Episodes Viewed: 1-4) / Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Finn Little, Jai Courtney, Natalie Alyn Lind / Showrunner: Chad Feehan / Paramount + / 15
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