There were many aspects of Yellowstone’s finale the fandom didn’t like, but Rip and Beth’s development, both as individuals and as a

couple, is at the top of the list. The last season of the series turns them into a perfect, idyllic couple, as if the two of them aren’t damaged,

self-sabotaging, hurting people. Additionally, viewers were outraged at the show portraying this couple as heroes with a happy ending. Rip and Beth have both caused lots of hurt, with Rip especially having killed a lot of people.

 

 

However, the last season of Yellowstone follows Rip and Beth as an indestructible couple. This overlooks their past struggles, which could have led to much-needed character development. Beth and Rip never redeem themselves. Both continue to be violent people who don’t strive to be better. In fact, they both kill Jamie in revenge for John’s assassination. It doesn’t matter that Jamie deserved it, if only because he killed an innocent reporter. However, Beth and Rip brutally killed him without even trying to get him into jail first. Essentially, they both believe they are above the law and often lack empathy for those outside their bubble. It’s hard to believe these people would manage to find peace when they are so attuned to conflict.

 

 

It seems that the main issue between Beth and Rip was Beth’s inability to get pregnant. She apparently believes this makes her less of a woman because she could never give Rip a family. However, this is not a trauma that Beth tackles. Beth ignores the issue at hand and is grateful that Rip is at peace with them not having children. However, this was a problem for Beth for more than two decades, driving her to sabotage the relationship time and time again. It would only make sense that her insecurities would get the best of her, leading her to pick fights, use others to drive Rip away, and eventually, escape.

The trauma is still there, considering that Beth very much rejects the idea of turning into Carter’s mother because she believes children are blood-related, and the fact that she still has so much hatred for Jamie. This is not a person who has learned to find family in other children, forgiven the people who got her there, nor grown up in any sense. One day, she woke up and decided she wanted to be with Rip unconditionally. He accepted this, as if he had no scars from Beth’s instability and his own upbringing. The series ignored the characters’ background, which it had spent considerable effort developing, without making any changes or addressing conflicts that would support the outcome.

Rip, as well, hasn’t healed from his own past. He believes Carter deserves tough love, discipline, and the minimum of affection and respect, which is precisely what he received as a kid. A man who has worked on himself and healed from trauma and abuse would treat Carter differently, giving him the opportunities he didn’t have. Repeating cycles of abuse means Rip is a ticking time bomb. It’s inconsistent for Rip to be so ignorant, violent, and to harbor such self-hatred, but he can be a loving and respectful husband.