Paramount’s neo-Western drama TV series, Yellowstone, went on to spawn two spin-off series that became incredibly popular. Unfortunately, even though the parent show started the entire craze for the Dutton family, it did not sustain the audience’s love.

In comparison to 1883 and 1923, the original series did not gain as much fame as its prequels. In a bizarre turn of events, the show that started the franchise became its weakest link. There are various aspects of the show that even Kevin Costner’s brilliant acting couldn’t overshadow. Fans of the show claimed it wouldn’t be able to maintain its luster in coming years.

What caused this opinion from Yellowstone fans?

Yellowstone was created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson and on its premiere in 2018, the series received average response. Subsequent seasons added to its hype and soon it became popular which led to the onset of two spin-offs or prequels.

However, a recent discussion among fans of the show on Reddit revealed the reason behind its dwindling fame. Compared to the later shows, 1883 and 1923, the parent show is considered to be weaker and mediocre.

The subreddit came to a unanimous decision that the show’s legacy won’t last, and the writing is to blame. Most of the criticism that the show received was due to its poor writing and unlikable characters.

Even the star power of Kevin Costner couldn’t save the show’s credibility in fan’s eyes. That, coupled with a possible bad ending due to long stretchy narratives, sealed the final nail in the coffin, causing audiences to give up hope.

Later, the announcement of Costner not reprising his role for part two of season five did not help the show’s cause. The series also had to endure multiple delays due to outside factors, which reduced excitement further.

The show’s convoluted finale: Internal disputes

Yellowstone’s premise follows the Dutton family and its patriarch John Dutton as he tries hard to maintain his ranch. However, the show’s miscellaneous plotlines often led to the distraction from the main plot.

Fans also lost interest in the individual storylines of the characters due to the long wait in between seasons. The unlikable and hypocritical characters added to this dislike, leading to a weaker fanbase.

The show’s spin-offs learned from its mistakes and introduced strong characters like Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren‘s, in 1923. Fans of the prequel praised the intriguing characters and family dynamic.

Outside factors like the legal dispute involved with the show’s fifth season also caused huge delays. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Costner threatened to take the show to court over a pay dispute.

I couldn’t help them any more. We tried to negotiate, they offered me less money than previous seasons [and] there were issues with the creative.

On the other hand, Sheridan claimed that the actor had reduced his number of shooting days to prioritize his film, Horizon: An American Saga. This lack of dates from the actor frustrated the producers, according to the show’s creator.

All these legal issues contributed to the show’s hiatus and its subsequent declining reach among fans. According to Deadline, season five part two is scheduled to release on 10 November 2024.