I bet when they first started filming Yellowstone that they never imagined that Kevin Costner and crew would turn this into one of the most popular shows available. It's so popular that they have a seemingly endless amount of backstory spinoffs that they could do. I am of the opinion that the main series, Yellowstone has a chance of going sour pretty soon so I am actually quite pleased that they have decided to focus on backstory seasons rather than pumping out the modern day version so quickly that the audience sours towards it. Plus when you add Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford to your list of actors involved, I think it is basically guaranteed that people are going to watch it.
I'm going to try to write this without spoiling much about it but just talk about it in a general sense that should be somewhat obvious to anyone that has seen any of the other two series in Yellowstone or 1883.
This series of course takes place during a period of time where many of the events that took place in 1883 are long gone only to be replaced with another batch of problems that are central to the story. One of them is the fact that the American Indians (are we still allowed to call them that?) have been conquered and are second or even third class citizens that the "real Americans" seem dead set on integrating into their own ways of life while completely eliminating their heritage. This in my mind is the best part of this series and as of yet, hasn't connected with the Dutton Family although I am certain it is going to at some point otherwise it wouldn't be featured at all.
The main character that we see that is involved in this is Teonna Rainwater, who is brilliantly played by newcomer actress Aminah Nieves, who is so new that there is almost zero record of her having been in anything prior to this. Imagine that? You are an unknown and all of a sudden you are thrust into a massive blockbuster series starring alongside the likes of Ford and Mirren. That had to have been one hell of a dream come true.
She is in an Indian boarding school run by nuns and priests where they are attempting to beat the Indian out of them and bring them to Jesus or something like that and it is absolutely brutal. The truly tragic thing behind this part of the story is that it apparently actually happened. This was something they didn't teach me in school!
The other aspects of the story focus on the Dutton Family up in Montana and how Jacob Dutton is struggling against the modernization of the United States and has the same attitude towards city-folk moving into his state and transforming it that John Dutton (Kevin Costner) has in Yellowstone. This is a good theme for them to run with since seeing as how Montana is mostly uninhabited to this day, there is really no end to how many times they can recreate this same scenario.
Initially I thought that Harrison Ford was simply trying to emulate Kevin Costner's performance in that his gruff voice was extremely similar to John Dutton, but I suppose since they are of the same bloodline there is a very good reason for that. I wont reveal any of what happens with and to him, but let's just say that it is very interesting in a way that is definitely different from the other two parts of the Yellowstone franchise.
I think the real star of all of this, at least what I have seen so far is Hellen Mirren's portrayal of Cara Dutton. I'm not an expert on accents but it appears as though she is trying to emulate an Irish accent and is perhaps meant to be a first or second generation immigrant. Now that I write that it seems stupid to even suggest that because in 1923, basically everyone was a first or second generation immigrant. Despite living in a time when women are not a big or important part of society, she is a bit of a boss and is respected and feared by the community that she is in despite the fact that she can have an attitude of a doting grandma type.
Seriously, her performance is incredible in this and this should not surprise anyone seeing as how she is one of the most accomplished actresses alive today.
The other characters seem rather minor up to the point that I have gotten to in the series, but based on their appearance in the opening credits I would imagine it is only a matter of time before they come to the limelight and this is likely where the first season will reach its grand finale.
I am of the impression that there are only 1 or 2 episodes remaining in the first season up to the point that I have made it and this is one of those series that when one episode ends, you seriously need to have some self-control to not stay up for "just one more hour."
Should I watch it?
If that trailer doesn't get you amped to get right on it, I don't know what will. I believe that all of the Yellowstone series have been absolutely amazing and this is why we see top-notch actors signing up to be a part of it. As far as I know Harrison Ford and Hellen Mirren aren't the type of people that sign up for series so they must have realized that it was going to be amazing with or without them but it certainly is a lot better with them IMO.
You do not need to have watched either of the other 2 series to understand what is going on in this, but it would probably make it more interesting. I stick by my impression of the other 2 and extend it to this series as well. This is one of the best series available on any streaming platform in the world at this point in time. Highly recommended.
Despite my name, this is not available on Netflix. It is only legally available on the Paramount network but you can always go sailing to get it by other means
