Written by Ben Murchison
One of the best kept secrets of last year was the debut of Yellowstone, the latest creation from talented writer and director Taylor Sheridan (Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River). If you want to see Kevin Costner do what he does best, surrounded by a talented cast, in a story that is every bit as powerful and intricate as Sheridan’s films, then now is a good time to discover the series as it returns for its second season.
The Dutton family owns the largest ranch in Montana, and its patriarch John Dutton (Costner) is doing his best to protect it from land developers and an Indian reservation that want it for their own. Amidst that simple enough premise is a complex family dynamic with political drama, and a side of murder and other criminal activities, all of which pick back up in Yellowstone Season 2.
Costner has always been most comfortable acting outside, preferably on a horse, so Yellowstone was a perfect project for him. His name attached is the likely reason anyone watched the first season’s premiere on the Paramount Network, but the quality of the show led to it becoming the most successful scripted series the network has, and its quick renewal for a third season. He could carry the show on his own and it would still be solid with the story being told and the breathtaking backdrops, but the cast around him proved to be fantastic.
The second season begins with the aptly named episode A Thundering. John’s estranged son Kayce (Luke Grimes) has settled into his role back on the ranch, willing to do what needs to be done in order to remain in his father’s good graces and leave something for his own son to inherit. It’s interesting to see Kayce embracing the more violent and seedier aspects of the family business, something he desperately wanted to avoid before. It also allows us to get a closer look at how the ranch hands spend their time, and how the branded members of the ranch ensure they maintain the level of respect and fear needed to protect themselves. With Kayce assuming more of a leadership role, his strained relationship with Rip (Cole Hauser) has the potential to go two different ways.
Beth (Kelly Reilly) is hard at work securing a formidable candidate to oppose her brother in his political campaign, while also securing profitable land deals. It is going to be exciting to see what is in store for her, as she is the most emotionally captivating character on the show. As an absolute force, she uses her wit as much as her sexuality to manipulate circumstances to her father’s benefit. As for her brother Jamie (Wes Bentley), one of lighter but insightful moments of the episode shows him feeling a bit out of his element in the city.
While mostly serving as a build up, the episode does shed light on Thomas Rainwater’s (Gil Birmingham) plans to push forward against the Dutton’s, perhaps even at the resistance of some of his own. It also features someone you might not have expected to return to give the John more trouble, and his medical issues that continue to pose his biggest threat.
Yellowstone is one of the strongest dramas currently on television. It has compelling storylines, and a talented cast that together are building to what by all accounts should be a tremendous season. Get caught up now and follow the Dutton’s each Wednesday. You will not be disappointed.
