Ever since the abrupt and premature ending of Taylor Sheridan’s flagship show Yellowstone, fans have clamored for more storytelling involving the timeline and characters from the beloved neo-Western. So far, the sequel series Dutton Ranch has served as a worthy replacement, as it captures the aesthetic, drama, and thrills that made the original show so popular. The combination of familiar and new characters makes for a potent mix that pays homage to some of the best parts of Yellowstone while still feeling fresh and exciting.
While Dutton Ranch‘s new angles are entertaining, one of the show’s strongest qualities is in how it’s replacing elements of its predecessor. Some examples are made abundantly clear, like Dutton Ranch echoing Yellowstone‘s very first scene in which John Dutton has to euthanize a horse that was mortally wounded in a car wreck. Beth encountered a nearly identical scenario, confirming that she is the John Dutton replacement while also demonstrating their differences. After teasing it in the show’s first two episodes, the third episode of Dutton Ranch also introduced another clear replacement from the original show.
Carter and Oreana Are Echoing ‘Yellowstone’s Young Rip and Beth Storyline
Along with Kelly Reilly as Beth and Cole Hauser as Rip, Finn Little is the only major cast member from Yellowstone to return for Dutton Ranch so far. As Beth and Rip’s adopted son, Carter possesses the values that the pair have instilled in him since he was orphaned, especially Rip’s. He is fiercely loyal and chivalrous (violently so, if necessary), and soft-spoken for the most part. His story is a direct echo of Rip’s, as young men orphaned by dark circumstances who were taken in and given a purpose as ranchers. That was established in Yellowstone, but Dutton Ranch has now introduced the reflection of young Beth Dutton in Oreana Jackson.
The granddaughter of the show’s apparent primary antagonist, Beaulah Jackson, Oreana’s character so far echoes what we know about Beth when she first met and got involved with Rip. As the spoiled, bratty daughter of a powerful figure, Oreana has the same wild streak that Beth had as a teenager, complete with questionable decision-making when it comes to her romantic entanglements.
So far, she’s recognized the good in Carter, and is attracted to him specifically because he’s innocent and unlike the guys she’s typically involved with. It’s clear that they’re intended to be a replacement for Beth and Rip, although we’ll see how far the show has them follow that same path.
‘Dutton Ranch’ Is an Effective Replacement for ‘Yellowstone’ in General
Carter and Oreana are simply the latest example of how Dutton Ranch has demonstrated its ability to pay homage to the original show while still making it seem new. In addition to the aforementioned angles, there are even smaller replacements, like Rip seemingly using an old empty well to dispose of bodies as a lesser parallel to “the train station” where the Yellowstone’s secrets are buried.
With a Rotten Tomatoes score rivaling Yellowstone‘s, Dutton Ranch has already proven itself to be a valid replacement for those yearning for a sixth season of the prematurely-ended flagship show.
