Yellowstone Biggest Mistake: How Season 5, Part 2 Betrayed Its Most Promising Character

Yellowstone has exploded in popularity in recent years, but the writing on the long-delayed season 5, part 2, has destroyed the Paramount Network drama’s most promising character.

The sprawling western has always featured many interesting characters, seeing as many different storylines play simultaneously. This has helped to deliver narrative shifts that take the show in unpredictable directions and have helped Yellowstone grow into one of the most lucrative franchises of the past decade. None of that would have been possible without characters that shape and grow as the narrative progresses.

Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) was a late addition to the show, first appearing in Yellowstone season 5, episode 2, but she made her presence felt from the jump. There was every indication to believe that she’d never stop until she achieved Market Equities’ goal of taking down the Duttons and having free rein of their ranch. As a lawyer and business leader, Sarah had the skillset and resources to make the Dutton family squirm, but she never quite reached her full potential.

Sarah was a breath of fresh air. She was intelligent, cunning, and ruthless. She was a worthy adversary for the Duttons, and she brought a much-needed level of sophistication to the show. She was a character who could have challenged the Duttons in a way that no one else could.

However, in season 5, part 2, Sarah’s character was completely undermined. She was reduced to a one-dimensional villain, a mere pawn in Market Equities’ game. She was no longer a threat to the Duttons. She was no longer a compelling character.

The writers of Yellowstone made a huge mistake in ruining Sarah’s character. They had a golden opportunity to create a truly iconic villain, but they squandered it.

Sarah’s downfall is a symptom of a larger problem with Yellowstone. The show has become increasingly predictable and formulaic. The Duttons always win, no matter what. The villains are always outwitted and outgunned. There is no real sense of danger or suspense.

It’s a shame to see such a promising character go to waste. Sarah deserved better. She deserved a better ending.

What do you think about Sarah Atwood’s character arc in Yellowstone season 5, part 2? Let us know in the comments below.