Yellowstone

'Lolita' is a 1955 novel written by Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov. Nabokov set out to write a beautiful piece of literature but on a subject that was immoral and deplorable. The reader is thrown into a state of cognitive dissonance. It's great novel but....but.....

'Yellowstone' has a similar effect. Viewers are presented with a stunning aesthetic and seduced by the cowboy myth. But the family at the centre of the story are ultimately corrupt, vile murderers. Yet we are expected to sympathise and cheer them on. It's not unlike another popular series, 'Succession', but on horseback. However, while the family in 'Succession' are more clearly ugly, the Duttons and their entourage are held up as a shining example of America as 'the land of the free and the home of the brave'. It's a terrifically manipulative series.

We have always liked Herr Costner's Western output,(...I think 'Open Range' with the peerless Robert Duval is one of the Greatest ever...),and this series is one of his best, although, I suppose his Family, with all their various issues, probably have more screen time...no bad thing as they are all, uniformly brilliant with the 'Cherry on Top of the Cake', Kelly Reilly as his mercurial, combative daughter'Beth' chewing up the scenery every time she's centre stage. Everyone else are superb too, though. We have just finished Season 4 and loved it especially all the proper Cowboy 'stuff' with incredible scenes of competition Horse riding, Rodeo riding and the like...Wonderful stuff. Cannot wait to see how the superb series ends. Bravo to All involved...Yee Hah!!!........ .......Was a bit rushed doing this review, last night, so I didn't even get to mention other great characters like the excellent Native American contingent, uniformly dignified and charismatic and the 2nd 'Cherry on the Cake'.... Cole Hausers 'Rip' who my wife tagged straight away...she loves hunky, rugged men hence...er...me,(..Hee hee..).

I live in Darby, MT where most of this is filmed - just yesterday they filmed right across the street from me in a field with a few horse and cattle. I believe the show is pretty solid story, and in the niche where Costner does his best. One thing I did notice about the first season, given my half Native American side, is it leaves you wondering who the good guys and bad guys are - perhaps both sides are both good and bad.

I will admit it is neat to see them filming while here, the ranch is just down the road from me and I pass nearly daily on the way to fish in the Bitterroot River

The show started off fantastic. A patriarch (Kevin Costner) and his four kids live on a sprawling ranch in Montana, fighting to protect their land and way of life. Of course, there's plenty of personal drama as well. The first season was pure gold-gripping, intense, and well-written.

However, like many shows, it declined over time. I was especially disappointed by the lack of character growth. Some characters became so over-the-top that it was almost comical. Beth was always angry, Monica was always crying, and Kayce was the golden boy, while Jamie made all the wrong choices and was universally hated.

That said, it was still a great show, with stunning cinematography and plenty of gripping moments. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

This series has been on since 2018 but now is the first time I have watched any of it. Last night I completed the first episode of the first season, it runs right near 90 minutes. As to introduce the Dutton family we see they have powerful influence in their valley but are fending off "attacks." One from developers who want to put up condos. Another from the neighboring Native reservation looking to get some of their land back plus some livestock. To help deal with all that and the sprawling size of his ranch Dutton (played authentically by 60-something Kevin Costner) has several grown Cowboy sons and a helicopter with a dedicated pilot.

The reason I watched episode one of season one (on Peacock streaming) was to get the feel for the Dutton family because I am currently watching the ten episodes of the more recent Taylor Sheridan program "1883" which is the prequel of sorts. It was (fictionally) in 1883 that the Dutton family from Tennessee joined a larger group to wagon train from Fort Worth Texas to "somewhere in the West". They must have stopped when they reached Montana.

Again it is all fiction but if we look at the ages of the men, and the fact that Costner was born in 1955, his character would probably be the great, great grandson of the Dutton patriarch (played by Tim McGraw) in "1883". E.g. With sons born about 1875, 1900, 1925, and the 1950s.

"Yellowstone" is a really fine series, the actors are all first-rate, the cinematography and sound are excellent. It just ins't the kind of program I could get invested in and continue to watch. It is hard to find characters with redeeming qualities and I really don't long-term enjoy programs which constantly focus on arguments and fights, and often killing. Now in my 70s I prefer to spend time watching "pleasant" stories.

NB - "1883" is a really fine and interesting series, how it authentically depicts the great hardship of pulling up roots and traveling through unknown territories to try to find a new life in a new place.