‘Terrible Ending!’: Fans React to the Season 5 Finale of ‘Yellowstone’

Yellowstone” viewers are airing out their grievances with the show’s Season 5 finale, which aired on Sunday,

December 15, and included the farewell that the Duttons bid to the patriarch of their family, John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner.

A snippet of the finale, shared on Facebook by the show’s official account, displayed an emotional Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) laying a final white rose on her dad’s coffin before leaning closer to the casket to let him know that she plans to avenge him.

Following the funeral, Beth pays her brother, Jamie Dutton (played by Wes Bentley), a visit at his house.

Once there, the siblings get into a rough fight. Just as Jamie is about to end his sister’s life, Beth’s husband, Rip Wheeler (played by Cole Hauser), comes to her rescue.

Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, and Wes Bentley at the “Yellowstone” Season 5 Part 2 premiere in New York City on November 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

The end of the sibling debacle concludes with Rip allowing Beth to attack Jamie with one final blow, which sees her fatally stab the brother she held a deep disdain for.

With the help of Lloyd Pierce (aka Forrie J. Smith), Rip takes Jamie’s body to the train station, while Beth informs the police about her late brother’s involvement in their father’s demise.

On the matter of the family’s land, Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) reveals his intention to retain the East Camp for his family and their 300 cows.

He sold the rest to Thomas Rainwater (aka Gil Birmingham) for $1.25 per acre, which — according to Entertainment Weekly’s episode synopsis — comes to a total of $1.1 million. Kayce’s terms for the deal include a stipulation that Thomas cannot make developments on the land or sell it. Thomas agrees to these terms.

After watching the finale, “Yellowstone” viewers did not hold back with their opinions about how disappointing the episode was. “That was a terrible ending!” remarked a Facebooker.

The cast and crew of “Yellowstone” at the Season 5 Part 2 premiere of the show, posted on November 11, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone

Another echoed, “Season finale was lackluster. Deserved a much better ending,” while someone else opined, “Trash season. What a waste of such a great saga.”

“This season felt extremely rushed, too much fluff added and the parts that needed time didn’t get time. The longer the series went on, the worst [sic] it got! A disappointing ending to a series that started out so hot!” penned a viewer.

An observer expressed, “Such a predictable ending. Weak. Was hoping for a surprise at the end. After what everyone knew that was bound to happen, the rest was boring. 😴💤.”

“Nope, the writing was all over the place. This series deserved a better ‘ending,’” added an Instagrammer, while another asserted, “Horrible ending, so rushed, I feel robbed from this series 😭 ‘Yellowstone’ was amazing up to this season. Very disappointed.☹️.”

Another Instagrammer chimed in with, “Terrible ending. Hastily written. Seemed so rushed and cheesy. Sheridan ruined a great show.”

On the other hand, however, some people praised how “Yellowstone” ended. “Great finale! Was hoping they didn’t blow it. Everyone went on their separate ways and the natives got their land 💜,” commended a fan.

Another stated, “This ended exactly as it should. Just a hard show to say goodbye too [sic]. It was an amazing series. Everyone did an exceptional role as actors and actresses.” “Wrapped up nicely. Hope it ends there for good..” said a netizen.

A fan gushed, “Kelly Reilly was amazing in tonight’s episode. This was the most fitting end for Beth or should I say the end of Jaime. ❤️🔪 I love how happy they all were in the end.”

Some viewers even got emotional about the ending, with one user noting, “Gosh. Yep. Cried again tonight. It was rough. But let out a little cheer when she maxed and stabbed Jamie.”

“Great episode. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Very satisfying that Jamie got taken to the train station. Loved that Ryan found Abby and loved seeing Rip and Beth at their new place,” highlighted an admirer. Adding to the discussion, someone else mentioned, “Tonight’s episode had me in tears 😭.”

Before the episode aired, “Yellowstone’s” Instagram account shared a post, made in collaboration with Paramount Network, on social media announcing the show’s finale.

The post includes an eye-catching photo of Reilly, Hauser, Grimes, Bentley, and Kelsey Asbille (who plays Grimes’ on-screen wife) posing as their characters. “Don’t miss a single second of tonight’s extended Yellowstone finale,” reads the post’s caption.

Another post shared by the show and network depicted riveting snapshots of the season finale, giving viewers glimpses of what was to become of the Dutton family and their land after the death of their patriarch.

“TONIGHT! Don’t miss the epic finale of ‘Yellowstone,’ only on @paramountnetwork. #YellowstoneTV,” captioned Paramount and “Yellowstone.”

The show’s stars dedicated their own posts about the finale, too. A lengthy and emotional one comes from Reilly, who shared the same finale teaser the show and network did.

After disclosing the fact that she is currently working on a different project in the U.K., the actress divulged, “Whatever the future holds this is the ending of the show we have been making for the past 7 years. Words cannot convey how I feel about the people I got to work and create with over the seasons.”

Reilly went on to express, “I have made true life long friends. The support from the crew and the trust and dedication of the cast. The words I got to say and the woman I got to inhabit. It changed me. It lit me up. It challenged me in every way possible and I will forever be grateful for it.”

She then addressed “Yellowstone’s” creator Taylor Sheridan, whom Reilly said took a chance on her and constructed her character in a way that made her feel alive as an actress.

After thanking Sheridan and expressing gratitude to the viewers, Reilly concluded, “We really cared about making something special for you all …Enjoy tonight, get your tissues and your 🥃✌️.”

Taylor Sheridan and Kelly Reilly onstage during the Paramount Network portion of the 2018 Winter TCA in Pasadena, California on January 15, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Joining Reilly in bidding farewell to the show, Grimes shared a photo of himself sitting shirtless with his head bowed by a raging fire pit. “End of an era. Goodbye Kayce. You are a better man than I. To my ‘yellowstone’ family, thank you for the experience of a lifetime,” wrote the “True Blood” actor.

Like Grimes and Reilly, Asbille also dedicated a post about the “Yellowstone” finale on her Instagram page. She shared a photo of her and Grimes, as their characters, looking out into the distance while standing against a wooden fence. Her caption noted, “One episode left. To share the screen with Luke over these past 7 years was such a dream.”

Although “Yellowstone” has come to an end, news reports have revealed that a new potential spinoff series may be on the horizon for Reilly and Hauser’s characters. According to Deadline, both actors have closed deals for the spinoff series, which Sheridan has been developing the creative for.

While Hauser and Reilly are expected to lead the spinoff, which will adopt a present-day time frame, reports stipulate that they will be joined by other cast members from “Yellowstone.”

Buzz concerning the potential spinoff began when it became public knowledge that the show’s producers, MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, had been negotiating with Reilly and Hauser for months, which Deadline spoke about in August.

Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly as their characters from “Yellowstone,” posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone

It was then suggested that the duo would carry the series on as the lead stars of “Yellowstone’s” sixth season after Costner’s character’s death.

This was further bolstered by how Paramount Network promoted the finale of Season 5. Instead of referring to the recent episode as the overall end to the series, they called it the season’s finale.

Months before Deadline’s recent report, Reilly spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the potential for the show to continue. At this time, reports of her and Hauser’s negotiations had already come out.

“Nothing is set in stone. But if Taylor wants to write it, I would want to do it. That’s it. Because he’s the one that’s written every single line I’ve ever said. She came from his imagination,” revealed Reilly in September.