Kevin Costner‘s departure from “Yellowstone” and “1923” has left an indelible mark on the series, underscoring his indispensable role in their success. Despite Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed storytelling, it appears that Costner was the crucial element that held these narratives together. The absence of Costner, who played the significant role of John Dutton in “Yellowstone,” coincided with a noticeable drop in the show’s quality.
Revisiting these shows with a fresh perspective reveals that Costner was far more than just an actor; he was an unsung architect behind the scenes. His contributions went beyond acting to include course-correcting and script-doctoring, which likely rescued “Yellowstone” from numerous narrative pitfalls. Once Costner left the ranch, things began to fall apart, with episodes feeling like a campfire sputtering under heavy rain.
Taylor Sheridan’s storytelling prowess appeared to hit a brick wall post-Costner. The shift between Season 5A and 5B felt like a drop in IQ, and the cast’s praise for Sheridan started sounding like they were reading from a script. Costner wasn’t merely embodying John Dutton; he was the spine of the storyline, providing the essential tension between poetry and politics. While Sheridan wielded the pen, Costner held the red pen.
Reports from Costner himself highlighted the declining quality of the scripts, describing them as plummeting off a cliff rather than merely slipping. His frustration with the lack of structured shooting became evident when he stated, “They just quit hitting the mark on their scripts.” His words weren’t mere criticism but rather a plea for improvement.
The absence of Kevin Costner sparked noticeable changes in the dynamics among the cast. Helen Mirren expressed high praise for Sheridan’s writing, particularly in portraying complex female characters. While such characters are vital, the uniform praise from the cast seemed excessive. Were they genuinely admiring the writing or simply avoiding critiquing the hand that scripts?
Luke Grimes remarked that working without Costner was “easier,” akin to flying solo. He admitted, “To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone.” While there was a reduction in conflict, it also resulted in less clarity and artistry. Friction is vital for creativity, but instead of sparks, what remained were recycled dialogues.
The abrupt narrative shifts in “1923,” especially the sudden death of Alex in the Season 2 finale, emphasized the dissonance post-Costner. This twist stripped Spencer’s arc of its emotional continuity, leaving viewers bewildered rather than devastated. It highlighted the difference between emotionally challenging writing and structural carelessness.
By the second half of “Yellowstone” Season 5, the show’s decline became undeniable. The correlation to Costner’s departure was stark. The show lost its spine, faltering in purpose and conviction. Fans noticed and pointed out the shift, sensing a lack of weight in dialogues and conviction in scenes.
The cast’s glowing admiration seemed rehearsed, hinting at self-preservation rather than genuine respect. In an industry that thrives on diverse expression, such unanimity felt peculiar. Costner, often perceived as “difficult,” was seemingly the truthful voice anchoring the project.
In essence, Kevin Costner was not the storm but the anchor for “Yellowstone” and “1923.” His absence allowed the series to drift into less impactful storytelling, echoing with lighter dialogues and narratives that lacked depth. Costner’s indispensable role in shaping these narratives may be understated, but it remains undeniable.
“1923” and “Yellowstone” continue to stream on Paramount+, now bearing the absence of their former anchor.
