Speculation about John’s potential demise left many viewers shocked and heartbroken. On Instagram, one fan expressed, “I’m sorry but killing off kevin Costner sucked [sic]!” Another echoed the sentiment, “I agree. I cried. Not the way I wanted him to go.”

However, confusion over John’s status lingered, as some fans debated whether he had truly been killed off.

Another questioned, “Why is summer [sic] still here? Can’t stand her. Don’t trust her either, she’s worming her way in for something.” Others speculated about Summer’s future in the plot, “Watch Summer be pregnant.”

Someone else remarked, “Ugh…Summer most useless character…like the actress but character should have been written off. Maybe if she’s pregnant with John’s baby and Beth can raise it. 🤷🏻‍♀️Hopefully it’s a good episode and not just fluff. #revengeoftheduttons [sic].”

On Reddit, users criticized the pacing and cohesion of the episode. Some suggested it would have been better as a three-hour movie to wrap up the story, noting that the time shifts were disorienting but describing the rattlesnake infestation scene as “hilarious.”

Another described the episode as “a disjointed mess,” saying it felt more like a promotional piece than a coherent storyline. They also questioned why no plans were being made for the governor’s funeral.

She added that developing a supporting role like Summer’s requires patience and trust. “I think if I hadn’t known Taylor Sheridan, it would have been a different story, but I know him pretty well, so I can walk into moving traffic for him,” she added.

“Mostly what I was thinking about was like making sure of holding the tone of ‘Yellowstone,’ but also holding this special moment because you know the other shoe’s going to drop in one second,” she explained.

Before the eleventh episode sparked mixed reactions among viewers, some had already decided to skip the show’s new season.

On June 20, the show’s official Instagram account posted a video teasing the arrival of the second half of the show’s fifth season. While their post had all the perfect elements for building up anticipation among viewers, with its ominous voice-over and striking visuals, netizens didn’t agree with a certain change that affected the cast.

Using the show’s signature “Y” emblem that was enveloped by bright orange flames, the Instagram video alerted fans that “the epic return of Yellowstone” would air on Paramount Network this month.

“Save the date: November 10. #YellowstoneTV,” captioned the account. In contrast to the teaser’s excited vibe and tone, online viewers came forward to express their grievances with the show’s return.

Many viewers believe that Costner’s absence has significantly impacted the show’s appeal. One fan declared they would no longer watch the series without him, while another shared that the show feels incomplete without Costner.

On the other hand, some people were elated to hear of the show’s return, with or without Costner’s presence. They expressed excitement for the continuation of the storyline, particularly highlighting characters like Beth and Rip as capable of keeping the drama engaging.

Others shared their anticipation enthusiastically, eager to see what the new season would bring.

He then added, “Whatever I’d hoped for maybe was not in the cards. I don’t want to keep saying, ‘Yeah, I hope I can do it.’ That’s drifted to a place that I don’t think is realistic anymore.”

“I just wanted to get that done. I’m not a machine trying to figure this out. But I’m not a person that leaves people high and dry,” disclosed Costner.

Speaking about what it was like to not have Costner back on set, Grimes divulged, “Him not coming back felt like, ‘Okay, we’re going to have to land this plane now for real’ […] It definitely felt different.”

While Grimes acknowledged the difference that came with Costner’s departure, he said, “I think the patriarch leaving was always going to be part of the story. That’s always where it was headed is like, ‘What do these kids do? What does this family do when their rock is gone?'”

Amid Kevin Costner’s exit and mixed reactions from viewers, “Yellowstone” shows no signs of fading, keeping audiences hooked and fueling debates about its characters and twists online.