Taylor Sheridan missed the
opportunity to continue the Yellowstone legacy while challenging the status quo
of the industry movement toward Conservatism.
Instead of just a western cop show, he had all the elements to create a
series that would be comparable to Billy Jack. However, killing off the character of
Monica challenges that possibility.
The partnership between Monica
and Kaycee reflects that of Billy Jack and Jean. Billy and Kaycee are both wounded warriors
who channel their pain into helping and protecting others. Both teachers, Jean and Monica, were strong
women who were idealistic, healing, and brave enough to create a better
world. The storylines would have been
expanded beyond the us-versus-them mentality, which was the common theme of the
Yellowstone series, into the empowering of veterans and reclaiming the
Indigenous cultures.
The trauma of military service
and his family history gives Kaycee a unique understanding of the benefits of
equine therapy for veterans. Partnering
with Mo Brings Plenty, Kaycee would have created an equine center that
intertwined equine therapy with Native healing techniques. In
doing so, it would raise awareness of the benefits of equine therapy for
veterans, while challenging the stereotypical image of Indigenous People. The therapy program would make room for some
of the original cowboys to return, plus give opportunities for the appearance
of guest stars, including real-life heroes.
Monica’s teaching experience
would be continued and expanded to include writing articles and books that
teach accurate Indigenous history. Truth-based facts break stereotypes. It also gives pride to the culture and gains respect
from others. I heard that Kelsey Asbille
lied about her ethnicity. Making a false
claim is wrong; it dishonors the stolen culture and the one that was thrown
away. However, killing the character was
a big mistake. It threw away the
opportunities to examine the true meaning of family. Monica would have learned that she was
adopted, setting up an emotional and spiritual crisis. Seeing her whole life as a lie, she no longer
knows who she is or where she belongs. The identity and spiritual crisis would
have also affected Tate. Kaycee doesn’t
know how to help them. Normally, Monica
would have gone into the mountains to find comfort and wisdom, yet she doesn’t
want to again dishonor the Ancestors' and her family’s teachings. Her
Grandfather reminds her of all the times she went to seek their guidance and
was given the wisdom she sought. The
Great Spirit and the Ancestors knew the truth, even if she didn’t, and gave her
what she needed. Heritage is the starting point of a life; it’s not the final
destination. They saw her compassionate
heart and warrior spirit; they claimed her just as her parents had when they adopted
her into the family. Monica goes on the
vision quest only to return more determined than ever to dispel the lies and
honor the Indigenous heritage.
Although the ranches were miles
apart, Beth and Rip would remain active parts of Moncia and Kaycee’s lives. More than just helping each other with the
challenges associated with the ranches, they would have to face the political
fallout of the Dutton family legacy.
What happened to Jamie? What
would happen if the train station were accidentally discovered? Just because
John Dutton was dead and Yellowstone belonged to the Nation, the repercussions
would still echo throughout the next generations.
Rip and Carter would work the
ranch. Although Beth would help, it’s
not within her temperament to be stay at home wife. She loves the challenges of the financial and
business worlds too much to give them up.
Instead, she would continue to work to change the ranching business
model to make it more profitable for family ranches. She couldn’t do it for her father and the
Yellowstone, but she would continue to look for new opportunities to make
ranching profitable.
As cousins, Carter and Tate would
face their own challenges of growing up and deciding their futures. What do they want to be when they grow
up? What opportunities do they have? Both would also face a similar identity
crisis—Tate with his heritage and Carter with finding his place in the family
dynamics. Their primary question is the
same as all teens: Where do I go from here?
However, unlike Billy Jack, the Indigenous
culture would play a more active role.
Thomas Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty walk the thin line between the
Progressives and Traditionalists.
Neither side accepts them. The
storylines would involve Thomas and Mo working to bring the factions together
by blending the best of both worlds. How
do they bring jobs and prosperity to their people while still protecting the
land?
The family connection between
Rainwater and the Duttons was solidified with the transfer of the Yellowstone
to the Nation; however, the loss of jobs continues to undercut Rainwater’s
leadership. With the internet and diverse competitors, the Rez casinos are
experiencing declining returns. Rainwater
must find alternatives.
With common financial experience
and business backgrounds, Rainwater and Beth work together to build a meat
processing plant and a direct-to-consumer delivery business model. Benefiting the ranchers with a higher profit
return and creating jobs for those on the Reservation, the venture becomes
extremely popular and profitable. The business model expands to include other
reservations and ranches across the nation, challenging the corporate-run
ranches and meatpacking companies. To protect their monopolies, the
corporations first attempt to buy their competitors. When the bribery fails, they turn to
alternative means of persuasion.
To compete with the glitz and
glamour of the city casinos, Rainwater works with Monica and Beth to offer the
“Native Experience” with spiritual teachings and tours that tell the history of
the Nations. They offer peaceful retreats with the primary pitch being, “enjoy
all the benefits without the stress and costs of ownership.” Monica and the Elders plan the events. Beth uses her connections to promote and
market them.
Instead of just another cop show,
this series would have tapped into the nostalgia of Billy Jack while telling
suspenseful tales of love, hope, and new beginnings.
