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Taylor Sheridan missed the opportunity to continue the Yellowstone legacy while challenging the status quo of the industry movement toward Conservatism. Instead of just a western cop show, he had all the elements to create a series that would be comparable to Billy Jack. However, killing off the character of Monica challenges that possibility.
The partnership between Monica and Kaycee reflects that of Billy Jack and Jean. Billy and Kaycee are both wounded warriors who channel their pain into helping and protecting others. Both teachers, Jean and Monica, were strong women who were idealistic, healing, and brave enough to create a better world. The storylines would have been expanded beyond the us-versus-them mentality, which was the common theme of the Yellowstone series, into the empowering of veterans and reclaiming the Indigenous cultures.
The trauma of military service and his family history gives Kaycee a unique understanding of the benefits of equine therapy for veterans. Partnering with Mo Brings Plenty, Kaycee would have created an equine center that intertwined equine therapy with Native healing techniques. In doing so, it would raise awareness of the benefits of equine therapy for veterans, while challenging the stereotypical image of Indigenous People. The therapy program would make room for some of the original cowboys to return, plus give opportunities for the appearance of guest stars, including real-life heroes.
Monica’s teaching experience would be continued and expanded to include writing articles and books that teach accurate Indigenous history. Truth-based facts break stereotypes. It also gives pride to the culture and gains respect from others. I heard that Kelsey Asbille lied about her ethnicity. Making a false claim is wrong; it dishonors the stolen culture and the one that was thrown away. However, killing the character was a big mistake. It threw away the opportunities to examine the true meaning of family. Monica would have learned that she was adopted, setting up an emotional and spiritual crisis. Seeing her whole life as a lie, she no longer knows who she is or where she belongs. The identity and spiritual crisis would have also affected Tate. Kaycee doesn’t know how to help them. Normally, Monica would have gone into the mountains to find comfort and wisdom, yet she doesn’t want to again dishonor the Ancestors' and her family’s teachings. Her Grandfather reminds her of all the times she went to seek their guidance and was given the wisdom she sought. The Great Spirit and the Ancestors knew the truth, even if she didn’t, and gave her what she needed. Heritage is the starting point of a life; it’s not the final destination. They saw her compassionate heart and warrior spirit; they claimed her just as her parents had when they adopted her into the family. Monica goes on the vision quest only to return more determined than ever to dispel the lies and honor the Indigenous heritage.
Although the ranches were miles apart, Beth and Rip would remain active parts of Moncia and Kaycee’s lives. More than just helping each other with the challenges associated with the ranches, they would have to face the political fallout of the Dutton family legacy. What happened to Jamie? What would happen if the train station were accidentally discovered? Just because John Dutton was dead and Yellowstone belonged to the Nation, the repercussions would still echo throughout the next generations.
Rip and Carter would work the ranch. Although Beth would help, it’s not within her temperament to be stay at home wife. She loves the challenges of the financial and business worlds too much to give them up. Instead, she would continue to work to change the ranching business model to make it more profitable for family ranches. She couldn’t do it for her father and the Yellowstone, but she would continue to look for new opportunities to make ranching profitable.
As cousins, Carter and Tate would face their own challenges of growing up and deciding their futures. What do they want to be when they grow up? What opportunities do they have? Both would also face a similar identity crisis—Tate with his heritage and Carter with finding his place in the family dynamics. Their primary question is the same as all teens: Where do I go from here?
However, unlike Billy Jack, the Indigenous culture would play a more active role. Thomas Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty walk the thin line between the Progressives and Traditionalists. Neither side accepts them. The storylines would involve Thomas and Mo working to bring the factions together by blending the best of both worlds. How do they bring jobs and prosperity to their people while still protecting the land?
The family connection between Rainwater and the Duttons was solidified with the transfer of the Yellowstone to the Nation; however, the loss of jobs continues to undercut Rainwater’s leadership. With the internet and diverse competitors, the Rez casinos are experiencing declining returns. Rainwater must find alternatives.
With common financial experience and business backgrounds, Rainwater and Beth work together to build a meat processing plant and a direct-to-consumer delivery business model. Benefiting the ranchers with a higher profit return and creating jobs for those on the Reservation, the venture becomes extremely popular and profitable. The business model expands to include other reservations and ranches across the nation, challenging the corporate-run ranches and meatpacking companies. To protect their monopolies, the corporations first attempt to buy their competitors. When the bribery fails, they turn to alternative means of persuasion.
To compete with the glitz and glamour of the city casinos, Rainwater works with Monica and Beth to offer the “Native Experience” with spiritual teachings and tours that tell the history of the Nations. They offer peaceful retreats with the primary pitch being, “enjoy all the benefits without the stress and costs of ownership.” Monica and the Elders plan the events. Beth uses her connections to promote and market them.
Instead of just another cop show, this series would have tapped into the nostalgia of Billy Jack while telling suspenseful tales of love, hope, and new beginnings.
