Yellowstone stands out among most shows because of how flawed and complex its characters typically are.
Jamie is one example, as his toxicity directly drove the entire plot of Yellowstone’s final season. His scheming against John Dutton is driven by his deep-seated insecurities, petty jealousy, and unending spite. Even the likable Kayce Dutton is flawed enough that his indecisiveness caused Lee Dutton’s death. The entire family is filled with characters who engage in poor decision-making that causes long-term and devastating problems.Yellowstone’s various spin-offs have even proven that the flaws and mistakes happen to be a generational issue, as Dutton’s greed has dominated Montana’s politics for over 100 years.
Many Duttons care about their family, but they fail to extend empathy beyond that select group. That, too, is a trait that Beth shares. This can result in seemingly thoughtless and inconsistent behavior when it is the result of a desire to see familial supremacy over all other ranchers and communities. Characters can even try to do the right thing, as Kayce did by standing by the Broken Rock Reservation when the Duttons seemingly invaded their land, and those actions often lead to horrible consequences. For Kayce, that meant Lee’s death. For Jamie a rash decision meant to help his sister caused Beth to lose her ability to have future children. It creates a complex web of conflicts that only makes the show more engaging.
While Beth has earned criticism for her flaws, they are the very issues that make her an interesting character. Beth is often cruel, rash, and divisive, and that is what makes Yellowstone so great. Even those who dislike her character should still consider the benefits that the character brings to the show. Without her, there would not be nearly as many conflicts that set the show apart from other Neo-Westerns. Flaws are the entire reason Yellowstone works, and Beth exemplifies that quality.
