Why Watch Yellowstone? 3D's: Drama, Depravity, and DILFs
These days, everything in three-dimensional (3D) is all the rage.
If that is the case, then there has to be something about Yellowstone that makes it so popular in the next dimension. Could it be the three Ds: drama, depravity, and DILFs?
Yellowstone, like most successful shows, has a formula that is dependable and time-tested.
The series creator Taylor Sheridan rarely strays away from the predictable format of bringing the drama, enhancing it with violence and depravity, and - of course - sprinkling in a little DILF for the female admirers.
Therefore, it’s fair to say these 3Ds are the primary reasons most audiences tune into Yellowstone on a weekly basis. The show has now reached its fifth season of production, and, despite some critics suggesting it has lost its luster, Yellowstone continues to garner some of the best viewership numbers in the business, cable or streaming.
Let’s examine the three elements that make Yellowstone tick:
1. Drama
There is a legitimate reason that some people who watch Yellowstone compare it to a soap opera. Sheridan may have completely revived the Western genre; however, he’s also made it incredibly sappy.
The modern-day Dallas is renowned for catfights and grown men in cowboy hats whining about their families, but that doesn’t prevent people from tuning in. As evidenced by the numerous reality shows on cable TV, people eat it up.
In the latest season of Yellowstone, not one but multiple siblings are plotting to murder each other or their father. Now, that’s family values.
2. Depravity
Depravity is defined as “moral corruption or degradation.” It seems like an appropriate description for a TV show that is notorious for enhancing the scandalous and corrupt. John Dutton is obviously no savior. The rest of the family is arguably just as bad.
Sheridan seems to like to push the angle that being evil and corrupt gets you somewhere in life. Moreover, he’s been accused of having the wrong interpretation of what defines a strong, dominant female character, given how insufferable Beth Dutton is to watch on screen.
Yellowstone may draw comparisons to other shows like Sopranos, but it’s truly in its own class in terms of depravity. It’s saying a lot considering the latter is a TV show about a group of Italian mobsters. Regardless, many fans worship these characters, hence all the ‘Don’t Make Me Go Beth Dutton on You’ t-shirts.
3. DILFs
Admit it, ladies, part of the attraction of Yellowstone is all the eye candy. Sheridan knew what he was doing when he cast actors like Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, and Wes Bentley.
Furthermore, Costner has always maintained sex symbol status, even into his late 60s. Thus, Yellowstone is the one show on television deserving of the title “DILF’ status.
Just as some shows lure men into watching based on the female talent, Yellowstone has many desirable male stars. Sheridan knows his audience, and there simply aren’t enough shows on TV with DILFs rocking cowboy hats and boots. Their attire may never get dirty or worn cattle ranching, but that’s beside the point.