Why Yellowstone is the Real-Life Saga of Cowboys

The cowboy world of the Dutton family in Yellowstone and the ruthless corporate environment of Waystar Royco in Succession may seem like two different universes, but they share surprising similarities. Both shows explore deep, interconnected themes and showcase complex characters and family dynamics.

While Yellowstone is often seen as a melodramatic soap opera masquerading as a serious drama, Succession has rightfully earned its place as one of the greatest TV series of the modern era, if not all time. However, this doesn't diminish the quality of Yellowstone. Despite its occasional cheesiness and theatricality, it still delivers intense thrills and keeps audiences captivated by the Duttons' escapades.

Yellowstone may not have the same depth, but it more than compensates with its charming and genuine characters, a true reflection of Sheridan's talent as a writer. Meanwhile, Succession is filled with some of the most despicable individuals imaginable - let's be real, the Roy family wouldn't even lift a finger to help you if you were in trouble. Despite this, we find ourselves captivated by the complexity of their excessively extravagant lives.

Following the intense conclusion of Succession in May 2023, I was left with a void in my life. I needed a new long-running series to immerse myself in, and Yellowstone was the perfect choice. I never expected a show about cowboys to become my latest obsession, but here we are. I believe a large part of my fondness for Yellowstone is due to its exceptional complement to Succession.

Yellowstone and Succession revolve around rich families and their enemies

HBO

The premise of both Yellowstone and Succession is essentially the same: both shows center around a wealthy family determined to protect their empire at all costs. Whether it's a sprawling ranch in Montana or a media conglomerate in New York City, the stakes are high. In Yellowstone, the Dutton family has faced numerous threats, from venture capitalists to rebellious cowboys, all vying to take away their land, cattle, and power. Despite their resilience so far, the story is far from over, and there's always the possibility of a dramatic turn of events, similar to that in Succession.

The succession of events mirrored the threats from other corporations, entrepreneurs, and even the FBI to undermine the Roy family. In the end, it was the dysfunctional, power-hungry Roy siblings who ultimately led to their own downfall. Despite this, they still managed to secure a lucrative buyout, proving that the rich and powerful never truly suffer consequences.

But the similarities between these two shows go beyond just their storylines. The characters in Yellowstone are strikingly similar to the main figures in Jesse Armstrong’s corporate comedy series. Despite differences in accents and attire, the resemblance is so uncanny that it begs the question of whether Sheridan had been secretly collaborating with the writers of Succession.

Both family patriarchs are known for their grumpiness, with John Dutton being slightly more approachable than Logan Roy. Despite this, the two are equally powerful and persuasive, commanding the loyalty of those around them. Both men have strong values and an unwillingness to compromise, often to their own detriment. Neither would be considered for a Parent of the Year award, especially Logan, who manipulates his children in an abusive manner. John also has his faults, particularly in his treatment of Jamie.

The Duttons are just like the Roys… almost

Paramount

Logan and John have both raised children who struggle with issues related to their fathers. For example, Jamie Dutton and Kendall Roy both follow a similar path in trying to live up to their father's expectations, only to constantly fall short. Despite Jamie becoming a lawyer as his father wanted, John ends up resenting him for the choices he makes. Similarly, Kendall tries to emulate his father's success in business, only to be belittled by Logan every step of the way. This treatment ultimately leads both Jamie and Kendall to seek to overthrow their fathers and dismantle their empires.

Comparing Beth Dutton and Shiv Roy is inevitable. Both are formidable, cunning, and intimidating women who, despite starting on the periphery of their family’s business, become deeply involved in the chaos. Beth even has her own version of Tom Wambsgans in the form of Rip Wheeler – men who marry into the family and rise to positions of power.

However, there is one significant exception to this comparison. Kayce Dutton and Roman Roy are nothing alike. Kayce is compassionate, morally upright, and holds a special place in his father's heart. In stark contrast, Roman is a sexual deviant and a sycophant, considered a laughingstock by his own father, Logan.

Yellowstone and Succession share a similar visual style. Alexander Voros, the cinematographer for Yellowstone, captures a rustic and natural landscape, while Succession's documentarian-esque lens brings an animalistic and raw feel to the screen that would fit right in the mountains of Montana. Both shows are centered on decadent vistas, just in different locations.

These comparisons show that audiences crave stories about betrayal, greed, and complex familial relationships, regardless of the setting.

The reason these stories strike a chord is because we can all relate to the challenges of being part of a family, and in some ways, watching the tumultuous lives of the Duttons and the Roys serves as a reminder that things could always be worse. The betrayals and the greed? Well, that's just riveting entertainment, and any skilled writer understands the power of drawing us in with some juicy backstabbing and power struggles.

For more on Yellowstone, be sure to explore our additional coverage below:

Find out if you're a Yellowstone fan, get insider info on Kevin Costner's departure, and stay up to date on your favorite characters and spinoffs.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of both "Yellowstone" and "Succession," I find it fascinating to explore the striking parallels between these two captivating TV dramas. While "Succession" has rightfully earned its place as one of the greatest TV series of all time, I believe "Yellowstone" deserves recognition for its own unique qualities. Despite its occasional cheesiness, "Yellowstone" delivers intense thrills and captivating character dynamics, making it a compelling watch.

The similarities between the Dutton family and the Roy family are undeniable. Both families are wealthy and powerful, and they are both determined to protect their empires at all costs. The Duttons face threats from venture capitalists and rebellious cowboys, while the Roys face threats from other corporations, entrepreneurs, and even the FBI. Both families are also dysfunctional, and their power struggles often lead to dramatic consequences. Despite their differences, both "Yellowstone" and "Succession" offer a fascinating exploration of family dynamics, power, and wealth.