Yellowstone Season 5: A Shocking Farewell to John Dutton and Sarah Atwood
The recent episode of Yellowstone , Season 5, Episode 11, titled "Three Fifty-Three," delivered a stunning narrative twist that has left fans reeling. The episode, which aired on November 24, 2024, marks a significant turning point in the saga of the Dutton family, bringing with it the departure of two central characters. First, there's the surprising way the show dealt with the death of John Dutton, portrayed by Kevin Costner, and then the shocking exit of Sarah Atwood, played by Dawn Olivieri.
From the very beginning of the episode, viewers knew that John Dutton's death would be a pivotal moment. Since it was made clear earlier in the season that Kevin Costner would not be returning for the latter half of Season 5, many wondered how the show would write off this iconic character. Given his stoic nature and the strong persona Costner cultivated as John Dutton, fans likely expected a noble, heroic death befitting the patriarch. Instead, creator Taylor Sheridan threw a curveball. In a startling move, the show presented John’s death as a suicide—an unexpected twist that felt more like a jab at Costner’s tough-guy legacy rather than a fitting farewell.
John's death is initially framed as a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the bathroom, a method that seemed wildly out of character for someone like John Dutton. However, it is later revealed to be part of a conspiracy orchestrated by Sarah Atwood, who has long been manipulating events from behind the scenes. But even though John’s death is recontextualized as a potential homicide, the initial presentation of it as a suicide strikes a chord, almost as though Sheridan is taking a shot at both the character and the actor behind him.
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As if to further cement this unconventional farewell, Sarah Atwood herself is eliminated in a brutal yet poetic fashion. After being part of a scheme to frame John’s death and seize control of his land, Sarah’s life ends when the assassins she employed turn on her. She is gunned down while leaving Jamie Dutton’s house, an anticlimactic but fitting end for a character who spent much of the series manipulating others for her own gain. It’s a testament to Olivieri’s skill as an actress that, despite Sarah’s villainous nature, fans have been quick to praise her portrayal. She played a deeply seductive sociopath with such skill that viewers couldn’t help but be drawn to her—until, of course, she met her fate.
Dawn Olivieri’s departure from Yellowstone has already sparked a lot of conversation. Fans flooded social media with praise for her portrayal of Sarah, noting how she brilliantly played a character that was both ruthless and unexpectedly vulnerable. It’s clear that many viewers were taken aback by Sarah’s sudden death, but Olivieri herself seems at peace with the turn of events. In an interview, she shared her thoughts on her character’s demise, saying that while she expected it, it still felt like a fitting end for someone as morally ambiguous as Sarah.
The twists and turns in this episode showcase just how far the series has come since its early days. With the end of John Dutton’s storyline, and the elimination of one of the most calculating characters in the series, Yellowstone continues to evolve in unpredictable ways. As we approach the final episodes of Season 5, it’s clear that the legacy of John Dutton is being torn down, with Sheridan taking swipes at the character—and Costner—at every turn. Fans are now left wondering how the series will wrap up these complex narratives. Will there be more surprising exits? Will the Duttons be able to hold onto their ranch, or is it truly the end of an era? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Yellowstone has never been afraid to shock its audience, and this episode is proof of that.
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