‘Yellowstone’
Taylor Sheridan’s western saga Yellowstone tells the story of the John Dutton (Kevin Costner, good as always) and his vast empire known as Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the largest ranch in Montana. His livelihood is threatened on the one hand by land developers, led by Dan Jenkins (a slimly Danny Huston), who want to buy and commercialize his property, and on the other by the new tribal chief of the Broken Rock tribe, Thomas Rainwater (the great Gil Birmingham), who wants the land returned to his people, even if it means taking it back by force. Dutton recognizes the looming threats to his legacy and begins to turn to his adult children—the brutal Beth (Kelly Reilly), the dutiful Jamie (Wes Bentley), the loyal Lee (Dave Annable) and the damaged Kayce (Luke Grimes)—for support. Then one fateful night a dispute over cattle with the Broken Rock tribe turns deadly, and things get might interesting. It’s rare that an auteur like Sheridan gets the chance to take his time presenting a complex story, with fully-realized characters and ambitious themes. Viewers should cherish every one of the 9 episodes even as they adjust to the deliberately languid pace. Yellowstone offers rich rewards to the patient and thoughtful viewer, not the least of which is the opportunity to see Costner reveling in his comfort zone.