Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 13 Review: Give the World Away

Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 13, “Give the World Away,” is a frustrating exercise in missed opportunities with the Duttons still scrambling to save their legacy while vultures circle overhead.

And, as we inch closer to the season finale, there is an eerie sense of déjà vu. We’ve been here before.

Yellowstone is stuck in a hypnotic loop. It’s been repetitive, predictable, and faltering. Stunning Montana vistas and hauntingly beautiful soundtracks lift the sagging plots, but it’s sinking fast.

The soundtrack does a lot of heavy lifting during the episode. In one scene, Kayce looks out over the ranch as the sun sets, and the music swells, making you feel the weight of everything he stands to lose.

This is where Yellowstone reminds you why it’s such a powerhouse—it knows how to use its visuals and soundscape to evoke emotion even when the writing falters (aka sucks). The mournful, haunting melodies underscore the Duttons’ impending doom, adding the emotional depth the script lacks.

But it’s simply not enough.

Similarly, tight close-ups and shadowy lighting make confrontations feel like a chess match. However, without fresh twists or deeper explorations of motivations, everything is stale.

One glaring issue plaguing this episode is there isn’t any plot progress. Characters talk about what they are going to do rather than doing it.

Take John Dutton. His presence looms large over every storyline, but he feels oddly absent—not physically but emotionally. He’s more of a mythical figurehead than an active participant. It’s as if the show is no longer sure what to do with him.

And then there’s Rip. Oh, how we love Rip!

He is one of Yellowstone‘s most compelling characters—a man of few words but with immense loyalty and depth. However, in “Give the World Away,” he is downright mediocre.

Once the show’s emotional anchor, Rip’s relationship with Beth is muffled, and their interactions indicate weariness. When Beth wrangles Travis (Taylor Sheridan) into helping with the auction in Texas, Rip’s warning about Travis’ lecherous nature is more a tired joke than genuine concern.

Rip’s nonchalance is a far cry from the fiercely protective husband we know. The show has forgotten what made this couple compelling in the first place. While this could indicate a five-year itch, it could also signify the death of our most beloved TV couple.

As for Travis, Sheridan’s cowboy alter ego swaggers into the episode like he owns it, which, given his creator role, isn’t far from the truth. His horse-selling prowess is on full display, but it feels more like ego-stroking than story-serving.

These days, celebrity arrogance is unbecoming and will turn fans off. With only one episode left in Yellowstone Season 5, time is running out, and we have no time for showboating.

Despite its flaws, the episode is not without merit.

The cinematography is breathtaking, highlighting the Duttons’ connection to their land. The performances are uniformly excellent, elevating even this weak material. Hints of intriguing developments, like Kayce and Monica potentially leaving the ranch, offer some promise.

However, they aren’t enough to save this filler content.

Yellowstone should be ramping up toward the climax, not spinning its wheels. This is an ongoing and disappointing issue.

As we head into the season finale, we silently hope that the show remembers what made it great: compelling characters making impossible choices in a morally gray world.

Yet we can’t help wondering if “Give the World Away” wandered off the path. Once captivating audiences with a raw, unfiltered look at the modern American West, these days the show is staggering in circles. Yellowstone has lost sight of its strengths.

In one week, this once-mighty show has the chance to corral its sprawling plotlines and deliver the explosive conclusion its devoted fanbase deserves.

If this does turn out to be the Yellowstone series finale, give it all you’ve got.

Stray Thoughts

• Beth and Jamie’s toxic dynamic has been played out and finds both characters in predictable situations.
• Kayce and Monica are usually an emotional anchor for the series, but their storyline is reduced to a few lines of chit-chat.

What are your predictions for the finale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Yellowstone airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Paramount+ and later on CBS.

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