As Yellowstone gears up for its epic conclusion with the final season, fans are starting to feel the pressure of limited episodes left. With so few episodes remaining, every second should count, but Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 10, “The Apocalypse of Change,” seems to have wasted precious screen time on confusing flashbacks and unnecessary side stories. While the episode does offer a few key moments that set up crucial conflicts and character developments, the overall pacing and structure left a lot to be desired.
Let’s dive into what worked, what didn’t, and why this episode might not be as essential to the overall Yellowstone story as fans had hoped.
The Confusion of Flashbacks: Was it Necessary?
Flashbacks Without Context
From the very beginning of Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 10, viewers are thrown off by what seems like an unneeded flashback. The episode opens with Rip and the ranch hands moving cattle and horses to Texas, specifically to the Four Sixes Ranch. The scene feels like a flashback, but the timeline isn’t immediately clear. Is this a past event, or is Rip just on the road again? The lack of clear context makes it difficult for viewers to fully engage with what’s happening on screen.
As the scene progresses, the confusion starts to clear up, especially when Beth arrives to surprise Rip. However, she doesn’t seem emotionally affected by John’s death, leading us to believe that the scene isn’t happening in the present day but rather sometime in the past. Still, it takes nearly 20 minutes to figure this out, and that’s 20 minutes too long for an episode that has so few left to offer in terms of narrative development.
It would’ve been much more efficient if the editors had simply added a “One Month Ago” or “One Month Later” title card to clarify the timeline. Instead, viewers spend far too much time trying to piece together the puzzle rather than focusing on the actual story.
Are The Flashbacks Really Adding Anything?
The flashbacks, particularly the one featuring the rattlesnakes, may be symbolic in nature, but that doesn’t make them necessary. Yellowstone has always had moments of deep symbolism, but there comes a point when the metaphors start to feel like a distraction rather than an enhancement. Yes, the rattlesnake and Beth and Rip’s rendezvous could symbolize the brewing tension in Montana, but stretching out the metaphor for the sake of a longer runtime wastes valuable time, especially when the show is drawing closer to its conclusion.
Let’s face it: Yellowstone doesn’t have the luxury of time anymore. With only a few episodes left, every scene needs to push the narrative forward, and Episode 10 doesn’t do that effectively. Rather than introducing new conflicts or resolving old ones, the flashbacks slow down the momentum and leave fans wondering if the show is really ready to wrap things up.
Wasting Time: A Missed Opportunity for Character Growth
The First Half of the Episode Fails to Advance the Plot
It’s clear that Yellowstone is aiming to build up to a major finale, but Episode 10 feels more like a filler episode. The timeline confusion and flashbacks don’t serve to advance the main storylines in any meaningful way. Sure, the rattlesnake scene might be metaphorical, but when there’s only a limited number of episodes remaining, it feels like a missed opportunity to focus on what matters most—the Duttons.
We’ve been following Beth and Jamie’s sibling rivalry for seasons, and now that John Dutton’s death has set the stage for their final confrontation, it’s time for the show to hit the ground running. Instead, Episode 10 wastes precious time on side stories and unnecessary flashbacks that do nothing to move the plot forward. Fans who tuned in hoping for major developments are likely to feel frustrated by the lack of meaningful progression.
Moreover, as Yellowstone edges closer to its end, every moment should be significant. The end of the Dutton family saga deserves to be packed with high-stakes drama and emotional payoffs. Unfortunately, Episode 10 falls short of delivering that.
A Glimmer of Hope: Kayce’s Role
While the first half of Episode 10 is a snooze fest, the second half picks up the pace a bit. There are a few key moments that make the episode worth watching, particularly concerning Kayce Dutton’s character development.
Kayce, who has long been the more passive member of the Dutton family, finally steps up in this episode. With John Dutton gone, Kayce is ready to take action and stand by Beth’s side as she confronts Jamie. This shift in Kayce’s character is crucial for the upcoming conflict, and it gives viewers hope that the final episodes will see a more active and decisive Kayce.
One of the most memorable scenes involves Kayce’s conversation with his son, Tate. Kayce gives Tate the option to choose his future, and the scene feels like a passing of the torch. It’s a pivotal moment for the character and hints at a future where Tate (and likely Kayce) won’t be taking over the Yellowstone Ranch. Instead, it’s Beth and Rip who seem poised to lead, which is an interesting development considering the family dynamics at play.
These moments, while few and far between, are what save Episode 10 from being a total waste. They offer a glimpse into what’s coming, particularly the escalating war between Beth and Jamie. However, even with these important developments, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Yellowstone could have done more in this episode.
What Worked in Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 10
Beth’s Realization About John’s Death
One of the standout moments in this episode is Beth’s confirmation that Jamie and Sarah were involved in John Dutton’s death. This revelation sets the stage for what promises to be a full-blown war between the Dutton siblings. The tension between Beth and Jamie has been building for seasons, and now that the lines are clearly drawn, viewers can expect some explosive confrontations in the episodes ahead.
This plot development is a key turning point for Yellowstone and is one of the few moments in Episode 10 that actually pushes the story forward. It’s clear that Beth will stop at nothing to avenge her father’s death, and now that she knows Jamie played a role in it, the stakes are higher than ever.
Summer’s Storyline Comes to a Close
While Summer has been a minor character in the larger Yellowstone narrative, her story arc comes to a close in Episode 10. This subplot is wrapped up efficiently without taking away too much focus from the main Dutton family drama. It’s a good choice by the writers, as it allows the episode to focus on the more important conflicts without getting bogged down by side stories.
Should You Skip Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 10?
In short: yes, you can probably skip Episode 10 of Yellowstone without missing much. While there are a couple of key moments that are worth watching—Kayce stepping up, Beth’s realization about John’s death—most of the episode feels like filler. The confusing timeline and unnecessary flashbacks make it feel like Yellowstone is stalling rather than progressing the story towards its epic finale.
If you’re a die-hard fan, you’ll want to watch the episode for the character developments, but if you’re looking to get straight to the action, you can easily catch up on the important moments through recaps or the “Previously on Yellowstone” segment in the next episode.
Conclusion: Yellowstone Needs to Pick Up the Pace
With only a few episodes left before the Yellowstone finale, the show needs to focus on delivering high-stakes drama and resolution to the long-running storylines. Episode 10 may have offered some interesting character moments, but it ultimately failed to live up to expectations. The flashbacks, confusing timeline, and lack of significant plot advancement make it one of the weaker episodes in the series.
If Yellowstone is going to stick the landing in its final episodes, it will need to tighten up its storytelling and deliver the explosive confrontations fans are eagerly waiting for. For now, let’s hope the next episode makes up for the pacing missteps of Episode 10.
