Reviewer Rating: 2.75/5.0
2.75
The Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 premiere begins with a moment that viewers have both feared and anticipated: the tragic death of John Dutton.
Desire Is All You Need tells the story of the shockwaves that engulf the Dutton family and those closest to them.
However, rather than focusing firmly on the intense aftermath, the episode intersperses current scenes with events from six weeks ago, a choice that ultimately downplays the impact of John’s death.
From the beginning, there was a clear divide between what Taylor Sheridan wanted to achieve in Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 9 and what resonated with viewers.
John’s death is framed as a suicide by the ruthless Sarah Atwood, an event that dominates the episode’s modern setting. But intertwined flashbacks to cowboy life and Rip’s crew settling into life at Ranch 6666 feel like a distraction rather than an important part of the story.
While Sheridan’s passion for cowboy culture is palpable — and part of Yellowstone’s appeal — it’s disappointing to see the premiere lean so heavily into this slower-paced subplot.
This time could have been better spent on the impact of John’s murder and the family’s grieving process, both of which have a seriousness that doesn’t need to compete with other storylines.
The decision, orchestrated by Sarah, to portray John’s death as a suicide was a bold move, but ultimately felt lacking.
Sarah is portrayed as an ambitious, shrewd and cruel woman – qualities that make her a formidable adversary to the Dutton family and even an unexpected ally to Jamie.
But her choice of suicide as the manner of John’s death is at odds with the wisdom Sheridan originally ascribed to her.
Sarah’s earlier advice about having a heart attack felt like a smarter move. It’s subtle and believable, leaving the Duttons with far fewer clues to piece together.
However, when she gives the green light to commit suicide, it becomes clear that this decision will set off dangerous signals for Beth, Case, and even Rip. The Duttons, no strangers to intrigue, would no doubt have realized that John would never have chosen this path.
Sarah’s gamble on such an obvious choice feels like a misstep, a disappointing turn from the cunning strategist she seems to be.
And then, there’s Jamie Dutton—a tragic figure in the Yellowstone saga. Jamie’s timid nature has been a consistent theme, but it’s on full display here.
His emotional reaction was evident from the moment he heard the news, but it’s unclear whether he was mourning his father or the political fallout that would follow.
As he clings to Sarah’s words about the world he will inherit, his desperation highlights the insecurities that have plagued him throughout the series. Jamie has spent his life fighting for recognition and recognition, but every move he makes seems to drive him further into betrayal and isolation.
It was painful to watch him succumb to Sarah’s influence, knowing that he was willingly embarking on a path that could lead to his destruction.
Jamie’s choices, driven by his insecurities and desire for approval, reveal a man whose lack of control has become a defining characteristic. Even in the moments when he can take charge, Jamie is just a pawn, easily manipulated and ultimately pathetic.
Beth’s raw emotion in this episode was the most striking part of the premiere.
Beth is devastated by John’s death, and she turns her grief into anger, directed at Jamie. The feud between these siblings has always been intense, but the stakes have never been higher.
John’s death leaves Beth without the father who defined so much of her identity, and she’s determined to make Jamie pay for his role in it.
Her reaction to Jamie’s betrayal is a mixture of pain and anger, and seeing her break down in Rip’s arms, allowing her grief to fully manifest for the first time, is powerful. Beth realizes Jamie was involved in her father’s death, which intensifies their brutal sibling rivalry. Never for a moment did she think otherwise.
The groundwork for a revenge arc has clearly been laid, and Beth’s ruthless nature ensures she won’t stop until she holds Jamie responsible for John’s death.
The scenes at the 6666 ranch, while beautifully shot and evoking Sheridan’s love of cowboy culture, feel out of place in the context of John’s death.
Rip’s storyline, settling into life with his crew and meeting new faces, is an interesting subplot that would have worked better in its own episode. Instead, it diminishes the emotional weight of the Dutton family tragedy.
There’s a poetic quality to the cowboy lifestyle Sheridan captures here – a tribute to the timeless hardships and camaraderie of the ranching world.
Yet as Rip ponders how cowboy lives are dying out and the land will one day be replaced by solar farms and wind turbines, it’s hard to ignore that the pressing issue at hand is John’s murder.
It’s clear that Sheridan plans to explore these themes further in 6666, so devoting so much screen time here feels like a misstep.
The scene next to the pipe in “Mo Brings Plenty” and “Rainwater” is another moment that feels like a tangent to the story rather than an integral part of it.
Their thinking about environmental impact and the risks they take to protect the land are powerful statements. Yet, in the context of John’s death, it’s hard to see the urgency.
This conversation touches on larger themes that are often discussed in Yellowstone , namely land, legacy, and the power struggles that define it, but placing it in the premiere distracts from the immediate tragedy of John’s death.
Ultimately, the premiere of Yellowstone Season 5 Part Two was a mixed bag.
While there were some moments of raw emotion, particularly Beth’s reaction to John’s death, the episode struggled to find a balance between honoring John’s legacy and establishing new storylines.
The decision to separate the focus between the present and flashbacks to life on the 6666 ranch removes a unique and powerful exploration of John’s impact on his family and their reactions to his tragic end.
Sheridan’s passion for the cowboy lifestyle is palpable and is a big part of Yellowstone’s charm.
Here, however, it feels like a distraction, a story more suited to his upcoming spin-off than a premiere centered around the Dutton family’s darkest moments, even as they desperately need to get John back in Texas The beloved herd.
As emotionally powerful as the premiere was, it didn’t live up to the heart-pounding impact it promised.
Sarah’s choice to make John’s death look like a suicide feels poorly conceived, especially for a character that Sheridan initially created as a strong and intelligent character.
Jamie, as always, remains a tragic figure with his insecurities and inability to control his life.
While the Dutton family’s reaction to John’s death provided some poignant moments, the episode ultimately left viewers with a sense of unrealized potential, sandwiched between two narratives that didn’t quite mesh.
Thankfully, the season trailer suggests the rest of the season may stay in the present. But when we’ve waited nearly two years to see how Kevin Costner leaves the show and how John’s story ends, it’s hard not to wish things had started differently.
And you? Is Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 9 Right for You? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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