Dutton Ranch Review: Yellowstone Universe Stumbles with Texas Spin-off
The Yellowstone universe expands with Dutton Ranch, following Beth and Rip in Texas. Despite stellar performances by Annette Bening and Ed Harris, the series stumbles into predictable soap opera tropes and dated storytelling.
The "Yellowstone" television universe continues to expand, much like the expanding universe itself—though it remains debatable whether this is good news for humanity. While prequels like "1883" and "1923" retained the gritty, witty tone of the original series, "Marshals" felt uninspired and "The Madison" was genuinely embarrassing. While the latter could be excused as a distant stepchild rather than a true spin-off, "Dutton Ranch" is a direct sequel in every sense. Although it avoids the utter humiliation of "The Madison," it still falls remarkably short of expectations.
Available in Israel via HOT, yes, Cellcom TV, and Partner TV, "Dutton Ranch" follows Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly)—the daughter of John Dutton, originally played by Kevin Costner—and her husband Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). Familiar from the parent series, the couple is now attempting to establish a new ranch in Texas. The property is meant to be a home for them and Carter (Finnettle), the young boy they adopted. However, the locals are far from thrilled about their new neighbors, most notably Violia Jackson (Annette Bening), a ranching empire matriarch and the most powerful woman in the local meat industry, who views the couple as an economic threat. Violia possesses formidable means to protect her territory: her violent son Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) and his adopted brother Joaquin (Juan Pablo Rabe).
Beyond territorial disputes, the tension quickly escalates into bloodshed. Early in the season, Rob-Will murders a ranch hand, and Rip discovers the body, deciding to conceal it rather than involve the police. Another major storyline features a Romeo-and-Juliet romance blossoming between young Carter and Oriana (Natalie Alyn Lind), Violia's granddaughter and Rob-Will's daughter. Bridging the divide between the rival families is veteran veterinarian Everett McKinney (Ed Harris), who grows close to Beth and Rip while maintaining ties with Violia.
Broadly speaking, the plots of "Dutton Ranch" divide into three categories: the Western, the soap opera, and the provocative romance. Screen time is split between romanticizing ranch life and cowboy culture, petty catfights between powerhouse women, and lingering shots highlighting Lind's appearance. The disparity among these tones affects not only the style but the overall quality.
The Strengths and Shortcomings of the Ranch
Farm life is arguably the only aspect of "Dutton Ranch" that genuinely sparks interest. While heavily romanticized, it is executed with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting creator Chad Feehan's apparent affection for the subject. In contrast, the feud between Beth and Violia evokes the cheesy soap opera theatrics of "Dallas" or "Dynasty." Meanwhile, the romance between Carter and Oriana feels overly transparent and rather pathetic in its appeal to viewer instincts.
Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind "Yellowstone" and executive producer here, is undeniably talented, having written stellar thrillers like "Sicario" and "Hell or High Water." Known for his staunchly anti-woke stance, Sheridan often challenges modern Hollywood trends. Yet, "Dutton Ranch" does not feel like a rebellious statement; rather, it feels weary and dismissive of its audience. The recycled tropes—cowboy fantasies, catfighting matriarchs, and manufactured eye candy—feel increasingly outdated and unimaginative.
Despite surprisingly high ratings across review platforms, four episodes into the nine-episode first season, Bening and Harris provide rare bright spots, elevating the material whenever on screen. For those seeking quality television about traditional men tending to livestock, "Clarkson's Farm" on Amazon Prime remains a far superior choice.
