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Critic’s Rating: 2.75 / 5.0
2.75
The Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 premiere opened with a moment that viewers have dreaded yet anticipated: the tragic death of John Dutton.
“Desire Is All You Need” navigates the shockwave that ripples through the Dutton family and those closest to them.
Yet, instead of embracing the intense fallout with unflinching focus, the episode intersperses scenes from both the present and events six weeks prior, a choice that ultimately diluted the impact of John’s death.
From the beginning, there’s a clear divide between what Taylor Sheridan aims to accomplish with Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 9 and what resonates with the audience.
John’s death, framed as a suicide by the ruthless Sarah Atwood, dominates the episode’s present-day scenes. But the interlaced flashbacks to cowboy life and Rip’s crew settling into life on the 6666 Ranch feel like a distraction rather than an essential part of the story.
As much as Sheridan’s passion for cowboy culture is evident — and part of Yellowstone’s draw — it’s disappointing to see the premiere lean so heavily into this slower-paced subplot.
The time could have been better spent on the repercussions of John’s murder and the family’s grieving process, both of which carry a gravity that doesn’t need to compete with other storylines.
The decision to stage John’s death as a suicide, masterminded by Sarah, was a bold move but ultimately felt lacking.
Sarah is painted as an ambitious, astute, and cutthroat woman — qualities that have made her a formidable opponent for the Duttons and even an unexpected ally for Jamie.
But her choice to push for suicide as the method of John’s death doesn’t feel true to the intellect Sheridan initially gave her.
Sarah’s earlier suggestion of a heart attack felt like a smarter move; it was subtle and believable and would have left far fewer clues for the Duttons to piece together.
Yet, as she greenlights the suicide scenario, it’s clear that the decision will raise red flags for Beth, Kayce, and even Rip. The Duttons are no strangers to intrigue, and they’ll undoubtedly recognize that John would never have chosen this path.
Sarah’s gamble on such an obvious choice feels like a misstep, a disappointing shift from the cunning strategist she seemed to be.
And then, there’s Jamie Dutton — ever the tragic figure in the Yellowstone saga. Jamie’s gutless nature has been a consistent theme, but it’s on full display here.
From the moment he hears the news, his emotional reaction is palpable, yet it’s unclear whether he’s mourning his father or the political fallout that will ensue.
His desperation, as he clings to Sarah’s words about the world he’ll inherit, underscores the insecurity that has haunted him throughout the series. Jamie has spent his life grasping for approval and identity, yet every move he makes seems to drive him further into betrayal and isolation.
It’s painful to watch him cave under Sarah’s influence, knowing that he’s willingly walking down a path that will likely lead to his ruin.
Jamie’s choices, fueled by his insecurities and desire for validation, reveal a man whose lack of control has become a defining characteristic. Even in a moment where he could rise to power, Jamie is a pawn, easily manipulated and ultimately pitiful.
The raw emotion from Beth in this episode is the most compelling part of the premiere.
Beth, devastated by John’s death, channels her grief into anger, directing it squarely at Jamie. The animosity between these siblings has always been intense, but the stakes have never been higher.
John’s death has stripped Beth of the father who defined so much of her identity, and she is determined to make Jamie pay for his role in it.
Her reaction to Jamie’s betrayal is a mix of anguish and fury, and it’s powerful to see her fall apart in Rip’s arms, letting her grief show fully for the first time. Beth’s realization that Jamie was involved in her father’s death cements their brutal sibling rivalry. She never for an instant thinks otherwise.
The groundwork for a revenge arc is clearly laid, and Beth’s relentless nature guarantees that she won’t stop until she makes Jamie answer for his role in John’s death.
The scenes at the 6666 Ranch, though beautifully shot and evocative of Sheridan’s love for cowboy culture, feel misplaced in the context of John’s death.
Rip’s storyline, settling into life with his crew and encountering new faces, is an interesting subplot that would have worked better in a standalone episode. Instead, it detracts from the emotional weight of the Dutton family’s tragedy.
There’s a poetic quality to the cowboy lifestyle Sheridan captures here — a nod to the hardships and camaraderie of the ranching world that feels timeless.
Yet, as Rip muses that the cowboy life is dying and that the land will one day be taken over by solar farms and wind turbines, it’s hard to ignore that the pressing issue at hand is John’s murder.
It’s clear Sheridan has plans to explore these themes further in 6666, so dedicating so much screen time to it here feels like a misstep.
Mo Brings Plenty and Rainwater’s scene by the pipeline is another moment that feels like a tangent rather than an integral part of the story.
Their contemplation about the environmental impact and the risks they take to protect their land are powerful statements. Yet, in the context of John’s death, it’s difficult to see the urgency.
The conversation speaks to the larger themes Yellowstone often addresses about land, legacy, and the power struggles that define it, but placing it in this premiere detracts from the immediate tragedy of John’s demise.
Ultimately, the Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 premiere is a mixed bag.
While there are moments of raw emotion, particularly in Beth’s reaction to John’s death, the episode struggles to find a balance between honoring John’s legacy and setting up new storylines.
The decision to split focus between the present and the flashbacks to life on the 6666 Ranch takes away from what should have been a singular, powerful exploration of John’s impact on his family and their reaction to his tragic end.
Sheridan’s passion for the cowboy way of life is clear, and it’s a significant part of Yellowstone’s charm.
However, here it feels like a distraction, a story better suited for his upcoming spinoff than for a premiere centered around the Dutton family’s darkest hour, even if their time in Texas was urgently needed to save the herd John loved so much.
For all its emotional intensity, the premiere falls short of delivering the gut punch it promised.
Sarah’s choice to make John’s death look like a suicide feels poorly conceived, especially for a character Sheridan initially built as formidable and intelligent.
Jamie, as always, remains a tragic figure, defined by his insecurities and inability to take control of his own life.
And while the Dutton family’s reaction to John’s death offers some poignant moments, the episode ultimately leaves viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential, caught between two narratives that don’t quite come together.
Thankfully, the season trailer indicates the rest of the season might remain in the present. But when we’ve waited almost two years to see how Kevin Costner left the series and how John’s story was wrapped up, it’s hard not to wish things had begun a little differently.
What about you? Did Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 9 work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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