The first 8 episodes of Yellowstone‘s final season have arrived on Blu-ray and DVD. In the fourth season of the series, the Duttons once again proved to be a resilient group. John Dutton (Kevin Costner) recovered from his near-fatal attack, and sought revenge on those who tried to harm his family. Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) managed to escape an explosion with just a scar on her face, and also finally married longtime love Rip (Cole Hauser). She took in orphan Carter (Finn Little), and Rip started him on his journey to becoming a ranch hand and cowboy. Meanwhile, the Duttons were fixing to start a war with Caroline Warner (Jacki Weaver), CEO of Market Equities. The Duttons had leased out some of their land in an attempt to save the ranch from going under, but now they wanted to stop the development firm from building an airport and resort on it. John reluctantly decided to run for governor, receiving the endorsement of exiting governor, Senator Lynelle Perry (Wendy Moniz). This didn’t sit well with D.A. Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), who had his own political aspirations and assumed he would be the one tapped to become the next governor. Jamie had recently reunited with—and then dispatched—his birth father, and Beth had photographic evidence of the latter that she was using to force Jamie to support the campaign. Finally, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and his wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille) were expecting their second child.

Yellowstone‘s fifth season of picks up a short time later, on election night, as John wins his gubernatorial race. He wastes no time firing the existing staff, making Beth his new chief of staff, and introducing laws to cancel funding for the Paradise Valley airport, resort and other projects. This is followed up by Beth also making a power-play to take down Market Equity, effectively declaring war on the firm. Caroline wants to destroy the Duttons, and brings in a secret weapon, counselor Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), who immediately targets Jamie as the weak link she can manipulate and exploit. As the divide between Beth and Jamie escalates further, a tragedy brings the rest of the family closer together, and causes Kayce to once again have doubts about his role as Livestock Commissioner and to question his role on the ranch. The folks over at The Broken Rock Reservation are also feeling the effects of John’s new role. Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) is unsure if John being governor is a good or bad thing, but the Paradise Valley project was going to bring many jobs to his reservation, and now those are gone, and the residents are starting to revolt. Angela Blue Thunder (Q’orianka Kilcher) and aspiring young politician Martin Kills Many (Christian Wassana) see an opportunity to seize control at the reservation and start to exploit the situation. But this is just the first of several threats Rainwater will face this season.

I actually hadn’t seen any of Yellowstone up until a few weeks ago—when I knew this fifth season disc release was coming, I started to get caught up. The series is epic and cinematic in its look and feel, following the struggles of the Dutton family as new threats constantly emerge to destroy this ranch that has been in the family for centuries. At its core, the show feels like a classic but modern western, finding the perfect blend of drama, action and humor. At the same time, the series also takes the time to slow down and showcase the beauty of the Montana landscape and the hard life of being a cowboy. This is even more-so this season as the whole Dutton clan and Yellowstone staff partakes in the Spring gathering and branding of cattle, turning the event into a community-wide affair.

We get to see a softer side of Beth this season as she also joins the family on horseback and starts to really appreciate the ranch life more. She opens up more about her pasts and connects more closely with Monica (Kelsey Asbille). The season jumps back in time to explore the early romance between young Rip (Kyle Red Silverstein) and young Beth (Kylie Rogers), and how young Rip became a trusted member of young John Dutton’s (Josh Lucas) crew. However, as much as Beth seems to change, at her core she is still the constantly-drinking spitfire who’s always looking for a fight. And with Summer Higgins (Piper Perabo) back, serving as John’s environmental advisor, and living in the main house, the fireworks (and punches) certainly fly—the face-offs between these two are some of the most fun scenes of the season!

John never wanted to be a politician and hates his new job—he doesn’t want to play the games or follow the rules and procedures. However, it was necessary in order to preserve the legacy of the Yellowstone ranch. We see a different side of John this season as he tries to navigate the political system, while also trying to keep his ranch traditions alive. It felt like Costner was a much bigger part of the show this season than he had been previously, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the second half of the season as the Dutton saga plans to continue in a different form without him after this series comes to to an end.

Jamie has always felt like the outsider to the Dutton clan. No matter how hard he tries to fit in, he’s never fully accepted, especially by Beth. So when Sarah starts to make her move to seduce him to the dark side, it’s unclear if he is just being manipulated, if he is actually several steps ahead, or if there is truly a connection between the two of them. But it’s an interesting story arc that builds to an exciting place for the second half of the season.

In addition to what’s going on with the main characters, the season also explores life at the bunkhouse, and introduces several other storylines and plot twists and turns. We follow young Carter as he (literally) learns the ropes from Rip and the others. And speaking of the bunkhouse, there are several fun relationships explored this season, including the introduction of country singer Lainey Wilson as a singer and new love interest for Ryan (Ian Bohen). Meanwhile, when a couple of the ranch hands accidentally shoot some tagged, endangered wolves on the Dutton’s land, this causes a potential crisis for John.

This show just keeps getting better and better each season, fleshing out these characters, revealing more of their backstories, and adding interesting new threats for the Dutton ranch. The series feels very authentic in the way that it is shot, making use of nature to transport the viewer to the Montana locale, and having the actors actually do the work of cowboys, rather than rely on green screens and effects. The first half of the season builds to some exciting cliffhangers that will change up the show for the second half, and also put some of these characters on a dangerous collision course. If I had one complaint, it would be how the series handles the flashbacks. Sometimes it is not clear right away that we are watching a flashback or when these scenes takes place. It is just assumed that the viewer will figure it out, rather than noting a date on the screen.

Paramount/CBS Home Entertainment has released this first half of the fifth season of Yellowstone on Blu-ray and DVD (it is also available in 4K digitally via Vudu). I was sent the Blu-ray for review, and the presentation looks and sounds amazing. The picture quality is near perfect, with clean, pristine video that captures all of the natural beauty of the Montana setting, and provides an excellent level of detail, especially in faces. The picture is excellent both in the sunny exteriors as well as the darker nighttime scenes when someone is usually up to no good. There are some pretty epic looking wide shots, particularly during the Spring gathering, or during a chase of some horse wranglers in the season premiere. The audio track is also very impressive, providing clear dialogue throughout, and also fills the room with the show’s beautiful score, and the immersive sounds of the outdoor environment.

The eight episodes are spread across 3 discs, which are placed in trays in a standard multi-disc HD keepcase, covered with a carboard slipcover. There is also a fourth disc loaded with bonus material. The discs contain over three hours of bonus material, including some that is exclusive to this home video release. There are two behind-the-scenes featurettes for every episode, as well as trailers and several other promotional and general behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast and crew.

What’s Included:

Episodes: (7:39:25)

• All 8 episodes of the first half of season 5:
  Disc 1 (2:03:52): “One Hundred Years Is Nothing”, “The Sting of Wisdom”
  Disc 2 (2:44:36): “Tall Drink of Water”, “Horses in Heaven”, “Watch’em Ride Away”
  Disc 3 (2:50:57): Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You”, “The Dream Is Not Me”, “A Knife and No Coin”
• 1080p / Widescreen 2.00:1
• Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH

Extras:
Content exclusive to the physical home video release are noted with a *.

• Behind the Story (45:29)
  The cast and crew discuss the major plot points and characters arcs of each episode. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer Stephen Kay, director/director of photography Christina Alexandra Voros, and stars Kelly Reilly (“Beth Dutton”), Kevin Costner (“John Dutton”), Wes Bentley (“Jamie Dutton”), Wendy Moniz (“Senator Perry”), Gil Birmingham (“Thomas Rainwater”), Mo Brings Plenty (“Mo”), Forrie J. Smith (“Lloyd”), Cole Hauser (“Rip Wheeler”), Jen Landon (“Teeter”), Denim Richards (“Colby”), Ian Bohen (“Ryan”), Lainey Wilson (“Abby”), Luke Grimes (“Kayce”) & Kelsey Asbille (“Monica Long”). Select from:
  • One Hundred Years Is Nothing (4:52)
  • The Sting of Wisdom (6:02)
  • Tall Drink of Water (7:02)
  • Horses in Heaven (6:02)
  • Watch’em Ride Away (6:02)
  • Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You (7:22)
  • The Dream Is Not Me (7:37)
  • A Knife and No Coin (7:30)
• Undeniable Passion: Beth & Rip/Monica & Kayce* (18:04)
  First, actors Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser discuss playing these two characters for so many years, the relationship between Beth and Rip this season and some of the things revealed about them as teenagers, the actors’ chemistry on and off camera, and the actors portraying the younger versions of their characters. Afterwards, Luke Grimes and Kelsey Asbille discuss working with one another, the emotional journey their characters go on this season, the themes of the season/series, and more.
  
  
• Musical Crosscurrents with Composers Brian Tyler & Breton Vivian* (13:47)
  Composers Brian Tyler & Breton Vivian talk about how they got involved with the series, finding the right sound, collaborating with one another, telling the story in the music, integrating various musical styles, instruments, and sounds from around the world, and more. Also includes behind-the-scenes footage of the orchestra recording in Abbey Road and performing on stage.
  
• Giving Everything to This Land: Yellowstone Returns* (35:55)
  The cast and crew discuss why the show resonates with audience, expanding the story and characters, exploring the origins of the characters and relationships like young Rip and Beth, the new characters and villains, the deadly game being waged within the family, keeping the Native American rituals authentic, filming the bar fight, bringing in Lainey Wilson as a love interest for Ryan, filming the cattle herding, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with co-creator/writer/executive producer Taylor Sheridan, executive producer Kevin Costner, director of photography/director Christina Alexandra Voros, director/executive producer Stephen Kay, and stars Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Dawn Olivieri, Mo Brings Plenty, Gil Birmingham, Forrie J. Smith, Ian Bohen, Jen Landon, Denim Richards & Lainey Wilson. Some of the interview footage is repeated from the “Behind the Stories” featurettes.
• Inside Yellowstone: Season 5 (3:02)
  A quick promo for season 5 featuring behind-the-scenes footage, clips, and sound bites from co-creator/executive producer Taylor Sheridan, and stars Kevin Costner, Kelsey Asbille, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham & Dawn Olivieri.
  
• Yellowstone: Inside the Phenomenon (22:08)
  Stars Denim Richards and Ian Bohen host this special that aired before season 5, giving viewers a look back at the series with the cast and crew, as well as a preview of season 5. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with co-creator/executive producer Taylor Sheridan, horse rangler Tami Jo Ruebush, director/executive producer Stephen Kay, set decorator Carla Curry, director of photography/director Christina Alexandra Voros, special effects supervisor Garry Elmendorf, special makeup effects artist Abigail Steele, and stars Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Kelsey Asbille, Luke Grimes, Mo Brings Plenty, Gil Birmingham, Jen Landon, Jefferson White (“Jimmy Hurdstrom”), Forrie J. Smith, Cole Hauser, Eden Brolin (“Mia”), Hassie Harrison (“Laramie”), Ethan Lee (“Ethan”), Jake Ream (“Jake”) & Wendy Moniz. Includes the “Inside Yellowstone Season 5″ featurette and Season 5 trailer.
  
• Inside the Real Yellowstone Ranch (4:05)
  Shane Libel, the owner of the Chief Joseph Ranch, talks about seeing his home on TV, and what it’s like running the ranch. Set decorator Carla Curry guves a tour of the lodge.
  
• Yellowstone: Stories from the Bunkhouse (1:11:11)
  Stars Denim Richards, Ian Bohen and Jefferson White sit down in the bunkhouse to play games, discuss the events of each episode, and share fun behind-the-scenes stories. Select from:
  • One Hundred Years Is Nothing (7:42)
  • The Sting of Wisdom (7:49)
  • Tall Drink of Water (8:28)
  • Horses in Heaven (9:37)
  • Watch’em Ride Away (8:50)
  • Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You (8:33)
  • The Dream Is Not Me (9:48)
  • A Knife and No Coin (10:24)

Final Thoughts:

In its fifth season, Yellowstone is still going strong, exploring compelling and exciting character drama of the Dutton family, while also showcasing the beauty of Montana and the life of a cowboy. The disc release includes all 8 episodes of the first half of the season as well as over 3 hours of entertaining bonus material. The audio/video presentation is top notch and an easy recommendation for any fan of the series. While a new viewer could probably jump in and still enjoy this fifth season, this is a show that’s probably best enjoyed from the beginning.