This Week @ Monday Creek: Yellowstone - A Country Girl's Perspective

 

My mare, Zubedia, enjoying a rest from the storms @ Monday Creek Stables

Yellowstone: A Country Girl’s Perspective

Let me start by saying, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Wild West. Growing up surrounded by open fields, muddy boots, horses, and my Dad’s herd of polled Hereford cattle (The Proud Breed with the White Face), I’ve always felt a connection to farm life. But “Yellowstone” takes that connection and turns it into a full-blown obsession. If you haven’t binge-watched this show yet, you’re missing out on a pop-culture rodeo for the ages.

Several years ago, a friend asked if I had watched “Yellowstone”. Well, I tried watching it when it first was released, but the harrowing first scene where the horse gets hit on the highway was a bit much. As a horse owner, I couldn't watch. I dismissed the show completely until a few weeks ago when I was searching for something to entertain while sitting through my husband’s IVIG infusions (another story). I skipped the opening scene this time – I had already seen it, anyway. I was skeptical about all the hype - “How much drama can you really squeeze out of a show about ranchers?” I wondered. Well, the answer is: *a lot*. Within the first ten minutes, there were more betrayals, brawls, and existential crises than in an entire season of your average soap opera. And the scenery! Rolling mountains, endless skies, and enough majestic horses to make a Disney princess weep—it’s basically Instagram in motion.

The Characters: A Dysfunctional Family Reunion

Watching “Yellowstone” is like being invited to someone else’s family Thanksgiving—except instead of passive-aggressively arguing over the turkey, these folks are wielding literal firearms and plotting corporate sabotage. Let’s break down the Dutton clan for those who haven’t had the pleasure:

• John Dutton: The patriarch of the family and a man who looks like he could wrestle a grizzly bear before breakfast. Played by Kevin Costner, John Dutton is all about legacy, land, and silently judging everyone around him. His resting face screams, “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.”
• Beth Dutton: If chaos were a person, it would wear power suits and answer to the name Beth. This woman is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, with a sharp wit that cuts deeper than a branding iron. She’s the person you want on your side in a bar fight—or a corporate takeover. “You’re a trailer park and I am the tornado.”
•  Kayce Dutton: The prodigal son with a heart of gold and a face that could win any heart. Kayce is a complex mix of cowboy charm and emotional baggage, which makes him irresistible, both to viewers and to trouble. A bit naïve at times, Kayce seemed to it together in the final season.
• Jamie Dutton: The family lawyer who seems permanently stuck in a Shakespearean tragedy of his own making. If there’s a wrong decision to be made, Jamie will find it, analyze it, and then make it with gusto.

And then there’s Rip. You have to watch to write your own bio of Rip. We should all have a Rip in our lives who is loyal to a fault. Throw in a cast of ranch hands, tribal leaders, and shady businessmen, and you’ve got a recipe for drama that’s spicier than a bowl of Texas chili (beans or no beans?).

The Fashion: Cowboy Chic

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sartorial brilliance of this show. The denim is perfectly distressed, the cowboy hats are angled just right, and the boots? Oh, they’re made for more than walking. After a few episodes, however, I noticed a few wardrobe faux pas – some of the characters were in t-shirts, while others were wearing Carhart/ranch jackets, all in the same scene. 

But it’s not just about looking good—it’s about looking like you’re ready to lasso a calf while simultaneously closing a multimillion-dollar land deal. That’s the kind of energy I aspire to bring to my next barn gathering.

The Plot: Shakespeare Meets Spaghetti Western

The genius of “Yellowstone” lies in its ability to balance high-stakes drama with moments of quiet introspection. One minute, you’re watching a heartfelt father-son conversation about legacy, and the next, someone’s being pushed off a cliff (the Train Station!).  

The core conflict is about land—who owns it, who deserves it, and what they’re willing to do to keep it. This theme resonates deeply, especially in a world where property disputes usually involve fence lines and neighborly gossip, not shootouts at dawn.

Lessons Learned from the Ranch

After binge-watching (yes, I went all in), I’ve come away with some valuable life lessons, such as:

• Never underestimate the power of a well-timed quip. Beth Dutton could teach a masterclass in verbal takedowns.
• Trust is a rare commodity—guard it like John Dutton guards his land.
• If someone offers you a job on the Yellowstone ranch and hands you a branded jacket, run. Just run.

Why You Should Watch It

“Yellowstone” is not just a show; it’s an experience. It’s part drama, part Western, and part meditation on the complexities of human nature.  

So grab some popcorn, settle into your comfiest chair, and prepare to be roped into a world where the stakes are as high as the Montana skies. And if you catch yourself shopping for cowboy boots afterward, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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