Yellowstone ‘Premiere’ Recap: Where’s the Beef? — Plus, R.I.P., [Spoiler]
Charlie Mason
Editor
Most of you have probably already watched Yellowstone as it unfolded on Paramount Network over the last five years. But now that CBS is airing the hit drama, the rest of you can finally see what all the fuss has been about — starting with Sunday’s series’ premiere.
As the super-sized “Daybreak” got underway, we were quickly introduced to bullheaded Montana rancher John Dutton and his grown kids: ranch hand Lee, legal whiz Jamie, corporate shark Beth and estranged prodigal son Kayce, whose contentious relationship with Dad prompted him to leave his family’s luxe homestead to reside at the Broken Rock Indian Reservation with wife Monica and their little boy, Tate.
Almost as soon as the opening credits ended, problems began to arise. First up, developer Dan Jenkins’ plans to build a town called Paradise Valley gave John a headache that was too big to fit under his Stetson. “Progress doesn’t need your permission,” Dan made the mistake of saying. “In this valley, it does,” John replied. So, rather than let Dan’s dam impact the ranch, John had it blown the hell up.
That wasn’t the only “issue” that the Duttons’ widowed patriarch had to resolve, either. After some of his cattle wandered onto the reservation, he was informed that new chief Thomas Rainwater refused to allow its return. Ticked, John sent Lee and his hands to retrieve the livestock under cover of darkness, only to find the Broken Rock Police ready for a fight. In the ensuing melee, Monica’s brother Robert fatally shot Lee, then, trying (in vain) to protect his own brother, Kayce fatally shot Robert!
‘I NOTICE YOU NEVER ASK FOR APPLIANCES WITH YOUR PANTS ON’ | In other developments of note for a first-time viewer, we learned that Beth likes Kayce as much as she loathes Jamie, she has a past (as well as a sexy present) with beefy ranch hand Rip Wheeler, and ex-cons that are put to work on the ranch wear the Yellowstone brand across their chest. Good luck, Jimmy Hurdstrom, ya lunkhead!
So, was this your first time watching? If so, what did you think? And if you rewatched, did you find the premiere to be as good as you remembered? Hit the comments.
I’m confused about Lee. Thought he was a ranch hand but why was Dutton crying over his death? Was he another son?
Lee was John Dutton’s son and right-hand man on the ranch.
I’m glad this is on broadcast TV. It gives the few people that can’t afford the streaming service or Paramount Plus access to the show. Any guesses as to what the ratings might be?
3-5 million.
I’m worried if people watch on CBS, they will edit too much content of the swearing and violence (maybe).
The violence is not haphazard. It illustrates a point a lot of people miss – the Duttons are God-awful humans and really don’t deserve that land at all.
I didn’t like tonight’s show.
Jimmy was like a new character????
Where did Lee come from????
Beth and Rip???!!!!!! Wow!
You know this was the first episode right? What was confusing for you?
I get that, despite being a fan of the show you might not have initially watched it from the beginning or that you did but forgot certain portions of it. What I don’t get is how you seemingly watched the entire broadcast tonight without realizing that it wasn’t a recently filmed episode.
The cut alot of this scene for broadcast TV.
Probably all the good scenes!
1st time viewer of episode 1.
Question: what’s with the narrating and is it on every episode?
What narration? Did you enjoy the episode?
Is “Audio Description “ turned on on your set? If so, turn it off :)
People know by now how expleted deleted things got with Yellowstone the series thanks to Kevin Costner. Why then invest the time and effort in the series if you haven’t watched it earlier? It’s similar to what happened with Battlestar Galactica and Game of Thrones. The ending turned so many people off that they don’t want to watch it again.
For various reasons, including financial ones, some people still consider network tv to be the most viable, or one of the best ways to watch programming and new things are going to be scarce for awhile. Therefore, Yellowstone is possibly an enticing option for those people. At some point they will need to find a way to watch the final episodes…but that’s an issue that they can deal with at a later time.
Additionally, even if anyone (new fan or not) is highly aware of the behind the scenes issues that will alter the initial plans for the show, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t and won’t have an enjoyable experience watching the show regardless. Also, what happened with other shows suggests what might happen as far as responses go, not what absolutely will.
anony, i hope it comes back on. but with those shows like tulsa king, lawman bass reeves & others; i’ll always watch..
I was amazed to see they filmed a “clean” version at the same time they filmed the version I watched on Paramount network. Wondering why, was it for other markets or did they plan to run it on CBS all along?
I’m guessing they were ‘preparing’ for a non-streaming airing. When I worked on The Sopranos they always filmed an X-rated AND and family version. It’s just one shot with a softer dialogue or dancing girls with tops off and then on.
Yes, it’s been standard procedure since the beginning of the rating system to shoot a “TV” version–they film a scene as written, then again with all the cursing removed or replaced with softer words, or with a formerly nude woman now wearing underwear, or someone getting shot without the blood squib. Costner’s been around long enough to know how this works.
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Dish Network has blacked out CBS! Thousands upon thousands of us Yellowstone fans are going to be very disturbed next Sunday evening! If you have Dish you can’t even get CBS on streaming!!
I have Dish and just checked CBS – it’s still there. Do you know something we don’t know?
It’s cute seeing all you newbies. Boy, are you in store for some fun stories!
It was terrible – don’t understand the hype. Will not watch more..
Sitting by you.
TV Version is different than original (other than rating). Kayce’s Son Tate was not born yet in the original version. And I dont remember Jimmy getting branded so soon as well.
Confirm suspicion.
“Kayce’s Son Tate was not born yet in the original version.”
Not true. Just as you don’t remember Jimmy getting branded so soon (which he factually did), your memory is way off concerning Tate as well.
You can easily confirm those things yourself.
A bit boring, maybe its just not for me?
I imagine a sanitized version which probably deleted some scenes would be boring. You also have to bear in mind that all pilots usually throw everything against the wall and it takes a few episodes to really figure out what is actually going on and who is who.
“Most of you have probably already watched…” Wait, what?
First time viewer but fan of some of the actors in previous roles. That said, that was a lot of unlikeable characters in one place and some not very subtle performances. Also, it wasn’t the most coherent of scripts but maybe that was due to editing for broadcast. I’m glad I had the opportunity to see it but I’m not in a rush to see more.
We do not buy streaming channels, so I was thrilled to learn “Yellowstone” was going to be on regular TV. I have always been a Kevin Costner fan. The setting in Wyoming is beautiful!
Wyoming? Too bad it was filmed in Utah!
It seemed to me a lot was murmured under their breath and I could not understand what they were saying. The first episode was pretty complicated and there were a lot of people figure out.
First time viewer. The reported sanitizing didn’t bother me; the story was gripping, Kevin Costner was great, and I’ll definitely tune in for more.
Other shows on my watch list: The Boys (Prime), Warrior (Max) and Welcome to Wrexham (FX).
Totally confused. Had watched religiously Yellowstone on Paramount. Was all up to date and ready to see continuation from last season’s final show. What happened??..
This isn’t the continuation of Season 5. CBS is airing all Seasons of Yellowstone, starting with Season 1, Episode 1. The back-half of Season 5 will air on Paramount eventually.
Writer’s strike, actors strike plus Taylor Sheridan is always behind on his scripts as he is way overextended and he writes every one. Also lots of behind the scenes drama. Season 5, part 2’s release hasn’t even begun shooting so its release date is TBA. It also has been announced that part 2 of season 5 will be the end of Yellowstone. We also know that Kevin Costner won’t be back for different reasons depending on who you talk to. Hope this helps.😊
I love the CBS version! Not a fan of so much foul language and sex scenes. This leaves a little to the imagination. Well done.
Love Yellowstone. Don’t want it to be cancelled or moved to another channel.
Thought the episode was confusing
After Kayce shoots his brother in law, he loads up his brother Lee’s dead body and takes him home to his dad, who buries Lee on the ranch.. Next episode Jamie meets with the governor and attorney general who show him two coroner’s reports from the shooting. When and how did the coroner examine Lee’s body to determine that his spine was severed and could not have fired the pistol – implying that a third person was there?
Viewing this on NETFLIX..well written, beautiful, complex AND Interesting characters developed in the FIRST episode !!!