Yellowstone

We have always liked Herr Costner's Western output,(...I think 'Open Range' with the peerless Robert Duval is one of the Greatest ever...),and this series is one of his best, although, I suppose his Family, with all their various issues, probably have more screen time...no bad thing as they are all, uniformly brilliant with the 'Cherry on Top of the Cake', Kelly Reilly as his mercurial, combative daughter'Beth' chewing up the scenery every time she's centre stage. Everyone else are superb too, though. We have just finished Season 4 and loved it especially all the proper Cowboy 'stuff' with incredible scenes of competition Horse riding, Rodeo riding and the like...Wonderful stuff. Cannot wait to see how the superb series ends. Bravo to All involved...Yee Hah!!!........ .......Was a bit rushed doing this review, last night, so I didn't even get to mention other great characters like the excellent Native American contingent, uniformly dignified and charismatic and the 2nd 'Cherry on the Cake'.... Cole Hausers 'Rip' who my wife tagged straight away...she loves hunky, rugged men hence...er...me,(..Hee hee..).

The show started off fantastic. A patriarch (Kevin Costner) and his four kids live on a sprawling ranch in Montana, fighting to protect their land and way of life. Of course, there's plenty of personal drama as well. The first season was pure gold-gripping, intense, and well-written.

However, like many shows, it declined over time. I was especially disappointed by the lack of character growth. Some characters became so over-the-top that it was almost comical. Beth was always angry, Monica was always crying, and Kayce was the golden boy, while Jamie made all the wrong choices and was universally hated.

That said, it was still a great show, with stunning cinematography and plenty of gripping moments. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

The wife and I have watched since season 1. We stopped when all the bickering started in season 4, and then binged the final season after it was over. I was worried that Sheridan was going to blow the ending, but I felt it was well done. We get closure, we know where everyone is headed, and many of the fears we had for some characters are laid to rest. Very well done. Finally, someone knows how to end a series.

I didn't blame Costner for wanting to end on a high note. This was SO much better than dragging it out. Season 4 was proof that it was time.

Be aware that there's lots of sex, alcohol and language abuse, but it is tolerable. I'd definitely suggest this show!

(Review is only for the first two seasons)

I came into this show not expecting to like it but the storyline, acting, and cinematography is superb. Basically it's Mafia Wars in Montana with intermittent giant doses of testosterone (cowboys with guns on horses while fishing)! Costner is a master actor as lead of the Duttons. The show is at its finest when it shows the chessboard moves the Duttons and their enemies engage in.

The show gets gummed early in the second season but starts rolling again midway through. Kelsey Asbille is the weakest link as Monica and plays a poor hand badly, the storyline jettisons awkwardly out and the acting just misses the mark.

I think Cole Hauser as Rip may be the strongest acting (sans Costner himself) and looked forward to all the scenes Rip was in. Thomas Rainwater is great too. The storyline hums and the scenery is beautiful.

Just as Cormac McCarthy's "All The Pretty Horses" was a little more raw and brutal than the title suggests, this show strikes in a similar vein. Highly recommend and wish I didn't wait so long to watch it.

If you are like me and watch things on Netflix, here's something I wish Netflix had told me before I started watching: it does not have the 5th season, and it is very unlikely it will acquire the rights in the future. You'll get drawn in with season 1-4, and then find yourself thinking: wait, this is it? Where's the rest?? Nothing is resolved, nothing is wrapped up.

Well, you'll have to go somewhere else for the rest. Where that is depends on where you live.

As for the series itself, there is very little to say that hasn't already been said. Yes, seasons after 1 & 2 are not as good, but it's not such big change as to lose my interest. Certainly good enough foe me to wish I could see season 5.