A lot of Yellowstone fans might not understand one key character’s inconsistent backstory, but others are saying that it actually all makes a lot of sense.
Not every character on Yellowstone is created equal. Some are short-lived villains, others are long-standing members of the Dutton family. And of course, there are the long-dead relatives who leave behind extreme emotional burdens.
Of all the Yellowstone characters, Evelyn Dutton is the one who left the most behind. A family in turmoil, rattled by the long-standing grief over losing her, she’s the ghost that haunts the Dutton Ranch.
However, some fans have proven to be a little confused over what exactly we’re supposed to think of Evelyn. With some criticizing her characterization, other fans have jumped in to defend what they think is a smart history.
Yellowstone fans say Evelyn Dutton’s confusing character was intentional
Over on the Yellowstone subreddit, fans have become preoccupied with the mystery of John Dutton‘s deceased wife, Evelyn, with many arguing that her strange legacy is all intentional.
The original post started the discussing by suggesting that Taylor Sheridan’s characterization of Evelyn didn’t work, since it would have been hard for audiences to sympathize with the family for losing her when she was portrayed as so unlikable. (In flashbacks, she was shown as being incredibly harsh, especially towards Beth.)
“When writing John Duttons character, TS decided to give him the old faithful character trope of the dead wife,” the post said. “Something that works every time when writing old grizzled badasses. And it should have worked here… except for one thing. While we keep on getting told how amazing she was, when we’re shown her in flashbacks… she’s a f**king lunatic.”
However, others jumped in. They suggested that this was all completely intentional on Sheridan’s part to further the complicated and unreliable way the family sees each other.
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One response said: “I agree that it would have been much easier to comprehend the loss of Evelyn and the devastation it brought to John and the children if she had been written as a genuinely warm, lovable person, but what we have seen of Evelyn directly tends to belie that image of her, which is extremely puzzling.
“However, I think that might be deliberate. The fact that John and the children have these warm fuzzy memories of Evelyn when she was really a cold-hearted, perhaps even mean spirited b*tch of a woman could be indicative that Taylor Sheridan sees this family as fundamentally warped.”
“I think it’s just an example of writing messed up families,” another added. “It’s rare that families have one horrible parent and one great one. At best, the less bad parent is an enabler.”
One agreed, adding: “I’ve assumed that they are all unreliable narrators. John remembers her being loving and making biscuits. Beth remembers psychotic cruelty.”
On surface level, Evelyn’s history is inconsistent. During the Christmas flashback in Season 1, she’s shown as being loving and patient. Then (as she warns Beth after she first gets her period), she starts behaving very differently. By her death scene, she’s shown as being unkind and extremely vindictive.
Still, only Taylor Sheridan knows whether this is a reflection of the family’s own warped memories, or simply a continuity slip-up.
