The Astonishing Comeback of Yellowstone Season 1: How It Transformed from a 56% Failure to Phenomenal Success

Yellowstone season 1 started off on a rough note, receiving a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which left some viewers and critics unimpressed. However, this initial setback did not dictate the course of the show. Despite the lukewarm reception, Yellowstone season 1 persevered and gradually won over audiences. As the show progressed, it found its stride and began to receive critical acclaim, ultimately turning around its initial 56 percent failure.

Despite the early challenges, Yellowstone season 1 laid the groundwork for the captivating and intense story that would unfold in the subsequent four seasons. This popular TV drama introduced viewers to the intricate world of the Dutton family, led by the charismatic Patriarch John Dutton. The show delves into how their choices impact their relationships and lives, skillfully exploring a captivating mix of political intrigue, cultural dynamics, and the rugged spirit of the neo-Western genre. These elements have become the defining trademarks of the show.

The Problems With Yellowstone Season 1 & Why Critics Disliked It

When Yellowstone initially debuted, it encountered various challenges and received a mixed response from critics. The inaugural season of the show struggled to establish itself and faced numerous problems that contributed to its lukewarm reception on Rotten Tomatoes. Two particular issues stood out.

Firstly, the primary criticism of Yellowstone season 1 was its slow pacing and wandering plotlines. Some viewers and critics found the narrative to be disjointed and lacking a clear direction, making it difficult to fully invest in the characters and their storylines. The show introduced random and inconsequential conflicts that were hard to follow and detracted from the overall story.

Additionally, concerns arose regarding the writing and character development in the first season. Some critics felt that the dialogue often felt awkward and lacked depth, while others believed that certain characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity. Dave Annable's character, Lee Dutton, reinforced this notion. Despite being one of the three Dutton siblings, his vague introduction and subsequent ease of being discarded left viewers and critics perplexed. He seemed like an afterthought, appearing one moment and disappearing the next.

When Yellowstone Gets "Good" & How Its Rotten Tomatoes Score Improved

Despite the initial challenges faced in the first season, Yellowstone made significant improvements in its second season, capturing the attention of a wider audience and gradually improving its Rotten Tomatoes score. As the series progressed, Yellowstone found its stride and addressed the significant criticisms it faced. The pacing became tighter, focusing more on engaging storylines and character development, allowing viewers to become more invested in the complex dynamics of the Dutton family and the conflict-filled world they inhabited.

The writing in Yellowstone also evolved, with sharper dialogue and a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and conflicts. The show started to balance its dramatic elements with more nuanced storytelling, appealing to a broader range of viewers. These improvements were noticed, as evidenced by the significantly increased Rotten Tomatoes scores as the seasons progressed. Season 2 garnered an impressive 89 percent rating, followed by season 3's perfect 100 percent. The show maintained high scores in its penultimate season with 91 percent and, in its final season (5), gained a fresh rating of 84 percent, solidifying its place as a critically acclaimed series.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes