Love, music, and a surprise reunion stole the spotlight in the emotional finale of "Yellowstone" Season 5, leaving fans buzzing about one couple's unexpected journey to their "happy ending."
The explosive finale of "Yellowstone" Season 5 Part 2, titled "Life Is a Promise," aired on Sunday, December 15, leaving fans emotional and thrilled.
A fan comment on the couple, dated December 16, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
One of the standout moments of the episode was the return of country singer and actress Lainey Wilson as Abby, who rekindled her romance with Ryan, played by Ian Bohen, bringing their story full circle.
Wilson, widely known for her hit single "Heart Like a Truck," first appeared in the neo-Western series in November 2022 during Season 5 Part 1.
Her character, Abby, became a fan favorite as she performed songs at the Dutton Ranch and developed a heartwarming relationship with Ryan.
Leading up to the finale, fans speculated whether Wilson would reprise her role, especially since the storyline was heavily focused on resolving the fate of the Dutton ranch following the shocking death of patriarch John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner.
To fans' delight, Abby returned during the finale for a high-energy performance filmed at the iconic Billy Bob's Texas. She delivered a lively rendition of "Hang Tight Honey," a track from Wilson's 2024 album, Whirlwind.
The moment added a sense of celebration and closure to the episode, especially as Ryan was shown attending Abby's concert. Making his way to the front of the crowd, he appeared captivated by her dynamic performance.
Backstage, the couple shared a sweet and intimate moment. Ryan, reflecting on the resolved fate of the Yellowstone ranch and his future, joked about potentially joining Abby's road crew. Abby responded playfully, saying, "Come on, let me introduce you to life on the bus." The interaction left viewers excited about the possibility of Abby and Ryan's life together beyond the series.
The return of Abby and her reunion with Ryansparked a flood of reactions across social media. While many viewers celebrated the couple's happy ending, others shared mixed opinions about the focus on Abby's concert scene.
A fan comment on the couple, dated December 16, 2024 | Source: Facebook/yellowstoneparamount
Viewers on Instagram largely appreciated Wilson's return, celebrating the closure Abby and Ryan's story received. One user wrote, "Lainey was a great addition. Good to see her in the final episode." Another fan acknowledged the satisfying conclusion to Ryan's arc, commenting, "At least Ryan got his happy ending."
Some fans shared emotional responses to Abby's reappearance. One wrote, "I was sobbing then I was so excited to see @laineywilson then I sobbed again [sic]!"
Another enthusiastically shared their hopes for the couple's future. "I so hope they keep these two in the spin-off. They are my favourite couple!" However, not all feedback was glowing. One user critiqued the overall finale. "Best part of the Worst finale [sic]."
On Facebook, fan responses to the Abby and Ryan scenes were more varied. Some criticized the lengthy focus on Abby's performance, feeling it detracted from the finale's overall momentum.
One viewer shared, "Well I liked his character quite a lot on the show but I didn't need any of any of the concert. Just like last weeks episode too much concert too much focus on that and too much focus tonight on the club scene with the singing. It was a final show and we had to go through that entire freaking song. Waste of time [sic]."
Others, while critical of the concert's prominence, appreciated the happy resolution for Ryan. "I hated that they brought Lainey Wilson back! But in the end Ryan was happy with Abby and he deserved that happiness," wrote one user. Another echoed a similar sentiment, "I liked that they had these two reconnect, but it was an incomplete scene, so it didn't ultimately work for me."
Positive voices also emerged, celebrating Abby and Ryan's story. One user exclaimed, "Yes it was! Great scene! Made me almost as happy as Jamie's death." Another cheered, "I was cheering when this part came on. Glad they brought her back, and they hopefully got their happy ending."
Many fans were thrilled by Wilson's performance and her role in concluding the couple's story. One wrote, "She was so good! So glad they reconnected!" Another commenter added, "Wish it could have been sooner. Loved them together [sic]."
Lainey Wilson and Ian Bohen are seen together in a photo, dated February 10, 2023 | Source: Instagram/ianbohen
According to IMDB, Wilson appeared in episodes 1, 3, 6, and 7 before her climactic return in the season 5 finale. Wilson's journey to "Yellowstone" began when her music was first featured in the series during its second season.
Lainey Wilson and Ian Bohen on April 02, 2023, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Speaking on Hoda Kotb's "Making Space" podcast, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter reflected on how her connection with "Yellowstone" co-creator Taylor Sheridan unfolded.
"Yeah, Taylor Sheridan called, and we had become friends after he had put a couple of songs in the show," she said. Sheridan's decision to highlight her music introduced Wilson to a broader audience.
Their friendship eventually led to Sheridan crafting a role specifically for her. Wilson recounted how Sheridan pitched the idea. "He said, 'I want to create a character specifically for you, and I want you to sing your music and kind of be yourself, but go by a musician named Abby.'"
Wilson embraced the opportunity, calling it a "blessing" that allowed her to combine her music and acting while remaining authentic to her style.
Lainey Wilson on November 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas | Source: Getty Images
In an interview with Vanity Fair just days before the finale, Wilson elaborated on the life-changing nature of her involvement with "Yellowstone." She revealed that her connection with Sheridan began at a horse-reining competition in Las Vegas, where the two bonded over their shared love of horses.
Lainey Wilson pictured on October 31, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
For Wilson, the role of Abby became more than just an acting opportunity. It helped put "a face to a name," giving fans who knew her music from the radio a chance to connect with her on a deeper level.
She reflected on the show's impact. "People would come to shows, even if it was a handful of 'em. They'd be like, 'I found you through Yellowstone.' And I'm like, okay, these placements are doing something."
While fans appreciated the heartfelt closure to Ryan and Abby's story, their reactions to the rest of the finale were far less positive. "Yellowstone" viewers are airing out their grievances with the show's Season 5 finale, which included the Duttons' farewell to their family patriarch, John Dutton.
User comment about the Season 5 finale of "Yellowstone," posted on December 16, 2024 | Source: Facebook/Yellowstone
A snippet of the finale, shared on Facebook by the show's official account, displayed an emotional Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) laying a final white rose on her dad's coffin before leaning closer to the casket to let him know that she plans to avenge him.
Following the funeral, Beth pays her brother, Jamie Dutton (played by Wes Bentley), a visit to his house. Once there, the siblings get into a rough fight. Just as Jamie is about to end his sister's life, Beth's husband, Rip Wheeler (played by Cole Hauser), comes to her rescue.
Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, and Wes Bentley at the "Yellowstone" Season 5 Part 2 premiere in New York City on November 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The end of the sibling debacle concludes with Rip allowing Beth to attack Jamie with one final blow, which sees her fatally stab the brother she held a deep disdain for.
With the help of Lloyd Pierce (aka Forrie J. Smith), Rip takes Jamie's body to the train station, while Beth informs the police about her late brother's involvement in their father's demise.
On the matter of the family's land, Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) reveals his intention to retain the East Camp for his family and their 300 cows.
He sold the rest to Thomas Rainwater (aka Gil Birmingham) for $1.25 per acre, which — according to Entertainment Weekly's episode synopsis — comes to a total of $1.1 million. Kayce's terms for the deal include a stipulation that Thomas cannot make developments on the land or sell it. Thomas agrees to these terms.
After watching the finale, "Yellowstone" viewers did not hold back with their opinions about how disappointing the episode was. "That was a terrible ending!" remarked a Facebooker.
The cast and crew of "Yellowstone" at the Season 5 Part 2 premiere of the show, posted on November 11, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
Another echoed, "Season finale was lackluster. Deserved a much better ending," while someone else opined, "Trash season. What a waste of such a great saga."
"This season felt extremely rushed, too much fluff added and the parts that needed time didn't get time. The longer the series went on, the worst [sic] it got! A disappointing ending to a series that started out so hot!" penned a viewer.
An observer expressed, "Such a predictable ending. Weak. Was hoping for a surprise at the end. After what everyone knew that was bound to happen, the rest was boring. 😴💤."
"Nope, the writing was all over the place. This series deserved a better 'ending,'" added an Instagrammer, while another asserted, "Horrible ending, so rushed, I feel robbed from this series 😭 'Yellowstone' was amazing up to this season. Very disappointed.☹️."
Another Instagrammer chimed in with, "Terrible ending. Hastily written. Seemed so rushed and cheesy. Sheridan ruined a great show."
On the other hand, some people praised how "Yellowstone" ended. "Great finale! Was hoping they didn't blow it. Everyone went on their separate ways and the natives got their land 💜," commended a fan.
Another stated, "This ended exactly as it should. Just a hard show to say goodbye too [sic]. It was an amazing series. Everyone did an exceptional role as actors and actresses." "Wrapped up nicely. Hope it ends there for good.." said a netizen.
A fan gushed, "Kelly Reilly was amazing in tonight's episode. This was the most fitting end for Beth or should I say the end of Jaime. ❤️🔪 I love how happy they all were in the end."
Some viewers even got emotional about the ending, with one user noting, "Gosh. Yep. Cried again tonight. It was rough. But let out a little cheer when she maxed and stabbed Jamie."
"Great episode. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Very satisfying that Jamie got taken to the train station. Loved that Ryan found Abby and loved seeing Rip and Beth at their new place," highlighted an admirer. Adding to the discussion, someone else mentioned, "Tonight's episode had me in tears 😭."
Although "Yellowstone" has come to an end, news reports have revealed that a potential spinoff series may be on the horizon for Reilly and Hauser's characters. According to Deadline, both actors have closed deals for the spinoff series, which Sheridan has been developing the creatives for.
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser. | Source: Getty Images
While Hauser and Reilly are expected to lead the spinoff, which will adopt a present-day time frame, reports stipulate that they will be joined by other cast members from "Yellowstone."
Buzz concerning the spinoff began when it became public knowledge that the show's producers, MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, had been negotiating with Reilly and Hauser for months, which Deadline spoke about in August.
Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly as their characters from "Yellowstone," posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
It was then suggested that the duo would carry the series on as the lead stars of "Yellowstone's" sixth season after Costner's character's death.
This was further bolstered by how Paramount Network promoted the finale of Season 5. Instead of referring to the recent episode as the overall end to the series, they called it the season's finale.
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. | Source: Instagram/yellowstone
Months before Deadline's recent report, Reilly spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the potential for the show to continue. At this time, reports of her and Hauser's negotiations had already come out.
"Nothing is set in stone. But if Taylor wants to write it, I would want to do it. That's it. Because he's the one that's written every single line I've ever said. She came from his imagination," revealed Reilly in September.
The "Eden Lake" actress clarified that should the spinoff happen, both she and Sheridan are in agreement that there needs to be a shift in the storyline. "'Yellowstone' as we know it is ending, but if there is more story to tell with some of the characters, it's going to be a little different," disclosed Reilly.
Taylor Sheridan and Kelly Reilly. | Source: Getty Images
According to Entertainment Weekly, talks about continuing "Yellowstone" began after Paramount Network announced the upcoming arrival of a new show called "2024," following previous reports that "Yellowstone" would end with Season 5.
Since then, "Yellowstone's" first present-day spinoff underwent a title change, and it is now called "The Madison." Thus far, the project has not added any of the original actors from "Yellowstone" to its cast, which includes industry heavy hitters Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, and Matthew Fox.
Michelle Pfeiffer on April 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The "Yellowstone" Season 5 finale brought emotional highs and lows, delivering closure for one beloved couple while dividing opinions on its overall execution. As fans debate its merits, the potential spin-off promises to keep the saga alive in new and exciting directions.
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