Yellowstone: A Modern Western TV Show (My Review)

Hello friends!

Another weekend is coming, so it's good to think about some new TV shows to watch, and that's why I'm sharing another review, about a TV show I've seen recently and that I really liked.
I loved it, even though I wasn't expecting it. A surprise, in a genre that I hadn't watched for a while, but that I've always liked for being authentic. Although the new western productions have a more modern point, like this one, it's definitely worth it.

And what western TV show am I talking about? This TV show is called Yellowstone, by Paramount and it's available on Amazon Prime Video or SkyShowTime now.

And just the title is inspiring to me, because as many of you know I was on the Yellowstone National Park and I have been sharing many posts and photos many times, and still I have some more photos left! So I decided to watch it and I got mad, love it. Well, it's time to share my impressions:

What is this about?

It's a modern western, not Bonanza, not The Godfather, but it's about a family of cowboys who have a big ranch called Yellowstone in Montana, near the national park. There they live the life that many would wish for, in nature, in contact with animals, enjoying rodeos and with a different rhythm.

But that world is mixed with the modern world, and also with its problems, with money and the lust for power to take the land from a family that has been there for more than 100 years, and Kevin Costner (John Dutton) is the owner and patriarch of the family, and he wants everything to stay the same. Is this possible?

The family's unity stands out, all the members, all the children do everything for the family, each one their role and their mission, whether on the ranch, or in the governor's offices or at the fiscal level and in land business. There are disputes and very bad characters, attitudes and words between them, confrontations and arguments arise, but they are always united by their love for those lands, sometimes more or less, but they want to maintain their father's dream, and while they continue enjoying that ranch life, despite the problems that appear on each episode!

Plans and enemies
Progress seems to threaten the dream of this family and their ranch. Many greedy interests arise around this large property. Many want these lands, some to build a casino, others have other even bigger projects, and others have longer-term plans that involve native claims, but playing by the rules of the "whites." It seems that everything is about money, even if they call it progress.

In some cases, the enemies of their enemies become temporary friends, in order to attack the others, with strategy and foul play as well, because it is still the Wild West.

The characters

I like the choice of characters, actors with charisma and characterization that attract and connect us with those old western movies, with those immense landscapes and with that other kind of more real and raw life. The truth is that it makes you want to go, to be there, it fascinates at times, and the combination in the plot between tension, suspense, violence, family, romantic love, nature, and also some humor, makes it great and enjoyable at every moment. I didn't want any chapter to end.

The Star is Kevin Costner
He's still a great actor, I think I like him even more now that he's older. I really liked him in this series, I don't know if it's because I'm older too, but that tough guy charisma, I repeat, I really, really liked him, jajaja

But the others, his children, and even his little grandson are also endearing, and especially the relationship between the two. It gives the series another more familiar and sweet touch at times as well.

My favorite character and my favorite couple
And despite so many tough men, my favorite character has been the toughest and wildest of them all, actress Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton in the series). A hard woman in a hard men's world.
She seems crazy, with alcohol problems, but she is a sensitive woman who hides her suffering with an incredibly strong shell and a strong character, sometimes unpleasant, defiant and foul-mouthed. But you can see how she is like really, thanks to some flashbacks from the past, which show us some of her experiences when she was a child. That way you understand her better.

And part of that hidden sensitivity is seen through her beautiful relationship with another character from the ranch. I don't want to give more details... But I love this couple, the chemistry and above all the evolution of both characters over time.

Others
There are other important characters, such as one of the sons, Jamie, who is more involved in politics so that he can be in the positions where decisions are made, and thus help the family and the ranch from there. But always? He has a complex relationship with other members of the family, and we discover why...

The youngest son, Kayce, who ends up managing many things on the ranch, is married and is the father of the only grandson. He is a good character, an ex-soldier who is always torn between good and evil, but the circumstances of the ranch lead him to do things... and his wife is always there to complain. I don't like her very much, she could have an interesting role as a native, but she complains constantly and is never happy, and sometimes she mentions the typical prejudices and black legend, which they haven't gone into much depth about.

And there are the guys from the ranch, the ones who work there, who are also funny and endearing, they also fight and also have their stories, especially Rip (Beth's partner) who is in charge there. And the loyalty to Yellowstone Ranch will be greatly appreciated.

Anything else to comment?

Rodeo is back. Testosterone too.
Welcome to the western. I like to recover these scenes, this way of life and this attitude, after years of politically correct series and other themes. Men are men, I think they still are, and it is shown in this type of environment. I don't know, they have their charm and as a woman I am fascinated by these cowboys! jajaja

Landscapes & Photography
In addition to the plot, intriguing, loving, funny and violent, it also gives us views of a powerful nature, the setting for rivalries, strategies, politics, betrayals, loyalty and devotion to a place that inspires a family.

So we get to see the forests of Montana, and those plains, plus lots of horses, and typical ranch scenes. And that's captured in a natural photograph that's always perfect, bucolic and inspiring.

I'll stop here because I don't want to give too much more detail, although there is so much to tell... and the truth is that I love it and I'm almost obsessed with it! It has many elements, and you don't expect it to develop as it does, so I'm surprised to enjoy this western that is as modern as it is exciting!