In this episode, viewers witnessed the unexpected and violent death of Sarah Atwood, a character who had been a thorn in the side of the Dutton family.
A fan celebrates the ending of episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | Source: instagram.com/yellowstone
After orchestrating a plot to assassinate John Dutton, which was uncovered by Beth and Kayce Dutton, Sarah found herself outmaneuvered. Her hired hitman turned on her, fearing exposure after John’s death was officially ruled a homicide.
A fan expresses their satisfaction with episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | Source: x.com/StaceRiley
In a gripping final scene, Sarah is ambushed and fatally shot by assassins, and her lifeless body left in her car. For many fans, it was a moment of poetic justice. One Facebook user shared, “So glad Sarah got what was coming to her. I was clapping.”
A fan’s comment on episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | Source: x.com/takinapilled
Instagram was filled with celebratory posts like, “Bless the man that shot Sarah Atwood!” and “Satisfying ending to this episode.” On X (formerly Twitter), viewers applauded the acting in Sarah’s final moments.
A scene from episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | instagram.com/yellowstone
“The acting was 10/10. Had a feeling she was going to get shot though,” one stated. Meanwhile, others critiqued the pacing of her demise, with one tweet noting, “The only downside is that Sarah did not squirm and sweat about her culpability long enough.”
A scene from episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | instagram.com/yellowstone
Sarah’s abrupt end marked a pivotal shift in the season’s trajectory, largely influenced by behind-the-scenes factors. Dawn Olivieri, who played the cunning Sarah Atwood, reflected on her character’s evolution and the accelerated storyline.
Dawn Olivieri attends PaleyFest LA 2023 – “Yellowstone” on April 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Speaking about the changes necessitated by Kevin Costner’s departure, Olivieri remarked, “We had to wrap this all up in lightning speed.” Her portrayal of Sarah — described as a serpent and chameleon — captivated audiences, even as they cheered her downfall.
Dawn Olivieri attends PaleyFest LA 2023 – “Yellowstone” on April 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
While many fans relished her exit, not everyone was satisfied with how her story unfolded. A recurring sentiment was disappointment that Beth Dutton, known for her ruthless tactics, didn’t get to exact her revenge directly.
Dawn Olivieri attends “Yellowstone” Los Angeles SAG Event on January 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Facebook comments such as “I was hoping Beth would get in her pound of flesh first” and “I wanted Beth to handle Sarah” summed up the frustration.
Dawn Olivieri attends the premiere for “Yellowstone” Season 5 on November 13, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The episode also heightened tension for Jamie Dutton, Sarah’s co-conspirator. With the Dutton family closing in and fans speculating about his fate, one viewer aptly noted, “Jamie is next.”
Dawn Olivieri (Beth Atwood) and Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton) attend Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone” Los Angeles SAG Event at SAG-AFTRA on January 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Others have criticized the writing. “This week’s Yellowstone episode was top-notch, despite the plot holes you could drive the herd of cattle through,” one user quipped. Another, less impressed, asked bluntly, “Whyyyyyyy is the writing SO BAD this season?”
Dawn Olivieri attends the “Yellowstone” Season 5 New York Premiere on November 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The netizens’ reaction to Sarah’s death differed from their response to John’s demise. Costner’s exit as John Dutton remains a sore point for many viewers. Some fans feel the show’s dynamic has shifted significantly in his absence.
One Facebook commenter admitted, “Tonight’s episode was explosive, but it’s just sad without Kevin Costner.” Others, however, praised the show’s ability to carry on.
One X user noted, “I thought Yellowstone wouldn’t be the same without Costner. It’s still pretty entertaining! Maybe you have to be invested already, but so far, so good.”
When “Yellowstone” viewers learned that Costner would not be returning for the second half of the fifth season, many expressed disappointment, with some feeling they had no reason to continue watching.
On June 20, the official Instagram account for the popular Western drama “Yellowstone” posted a video teasing the arrival of the second half of the show’s fifth season.
While their post had all the perfect elements for building up anticipation among viewers, with its ominous voice-over and striking visuals, netizens didn’t agree with a certain change that affected the cast.
User comment about the new season of “Yellowstone,” posted on June 20, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
Using the show’s signature “Y” emblem that was enveloped by bright orange flames, the Instagram video alerted fans that “the epic return of Yellowstone” would arrive this month (November) on Paramount Network.
The “Yellowstone” new season teaser, posted on June 20, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
“Save the date: November 10. #YellowstoneTV,” captioned the account. In contrast to the teaser’s excited vibe and tone, online viewers came forward to express their grievances with the show’s return.
For many people, Hollywood icon Kevin Costner’s absence in the series has left them with a bad taste in their mouths, as they expressed how watching the new season without him is pointless. “Won’t be the same without Kevin Costner…I’m so sad. 😭💔,” penned an Instagrammer.
Another remarked, “What’s the point without Kevin Costner?!” “There’s no point of [sic] watching this show if Kevin Costner isn’t in it. Taylor Sheridan you really messed up this one,” echoed someone else who referenced the show’s creator as well.
Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner at the premiere of “Yellowstone” in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Joining the many others who feel Costner’s absence is detrimental to the show, a spectator asserted, “Passs! No Costner- No show! Sorry!” while another person added, “Not gonna lie. It’s not the same without Kevin. 😢.”
“Dead to me. No Kevin = not watching. So what if he has a passion for doing another show? A starring actor can make that balance. But greed is king for Sheridan,” opined another user who is up in arms over the situation.
Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan at the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California on January 15, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
On the other hand, some people were elated to hear of the show’s return, with or without Costner’s presence. “Finally!!! 🙌 We’re all waiting for Beth & Rip to keep the ranch drama alive! John will be missed but let’s be honest…. Beth & Rip can hold this show for many seasons to come!” commented a fan of the series. Another admirer simply exclaimed, “I can’t wait!!!”
A day after the new season teaser came out, Costner took to Instagram to confirm that he would not be making a return to the series.
“Hi, everyone. I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on ‘Horizon’ and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about ‘Yellowstone’ — that beloved series that I love, that I know you love — I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue season five b or into the future,” began “The Bodyguard” actor.
He went on to highlight how much “Yellowstone” changed him as a person, reiterating his deep adoration for the series. “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies,” concluded the star.
After sharing the post, Costner sat down for an interview with USA Today, where he contextualized his video. At the time, the Hollywood talent was on an extended media tour promoting his then-new Western film series “Horizon.”
“Simply with all the questions that were being asked (about ‘Yellowstone’), the longer I thought about that … I just wanted to say that this is a stepping-off point,” explained Costner.
He then added, “Whatever I’d hoped for maybe was not in the cards. I don’t want to keep saying, ‘Yeah, I hope I can do it.’ That’s drifted to a place that I don’t think is realistic anymore.”
In the same interview, Costner also clarified that there was nothing specific that had been done by Sheridan or Paramount Studios that led to him making the video. Instead, his post was meant to signify that he was done holding out optimism for his return that wasn’t there.
Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner. | Source: Getty Images
“I just wanted to get that done. I’m not a machine trying to figure this out. But I’m not a person that leaves people high and dry,” disclosed Costner.
Since 2018, Costner has been a staple on the show that follows the lives of a ranching family in Montana, who have frequent face-offs with people encroaching on their land.
His beloved portrayal as the owner of one of the biggest cattle ranches in the U.S. and the patriarch of the Dutton family, John Dutton III, has been revered by many. Costner’s role has also been spoken about by his fellow cast mates, one of whom addressed the actor’s exit from the show.
Famous actor Luke Grimes, who plays Costner’s on-screen son, Kayce Dutton, previously opened up to People magazine about the ordeal.
Speaking about what it was like to not have Kevin Costner back on set, Grimes divulged, “Him not coming back felt like, ‘Okay, we’re going to have to land this plane now for real’ […] It definitely felt different.”
Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes at a Deadline event in Los Angeles, California on April 7, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
While Grimes acknowledged the difference that came with Costner’s departure, he said, “I think the patriarch leaving was always going to be part of the story. That’s always where it was headed is like, ‘What do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?'”
