Yellowstone fans have spoken: some episodes just aren’t worth the time. With over 50 episodes across five seasons, there’s bound to be a few that don’t quite measure up. From emotionally exhausting loops to spin-off promos, some episodes simply don’t move the story forward. As the Duttons’ saga continues, here’s a breakdown of the episodes fans tend to skip when rewatching, and why they’re better off moving on.
For a series as gripping as Yellowstone, which balances family drama, power struggles, and sweeping landscapes, it’s hard to imagine anything less than captivating. However, with over 50 episodes spanning five seasons, Yellowstone isn’t immune to the occasional filler. While most episodes bring new tensions and character development, a few fall flat. Fans have admitted to skipping certain episodes on a rewatch, and it’s not just for the usual reasons like bad pacing or unnecessary filler—it’s about how some episodes lack emotional impact or merely act as placeholders, stalling the plot without advancing it. Here’s a look at the most skippable episodes in the Yellowstone universe.
The problem with some Yellowstone episodes isn’t that they’re inherently bad—it’s that they don’t push the story forward in any meaningful way. Season 1, Episode 5, “Coming Home”, is a perfect example. This early installment tries to give viewers more insight into the Duttons’ tangled relationships, but it ends up feeling like a rehash. Kayce (Luke Grimes) grapples with the idea of leaving Montana, but the family drama feels like a spin-off promo more than a core storyline. Rip (Cole Hauser) recruits a cowboy outside of prison, but the moment doesn’t provide much depth. Critics even labeled it “dismal,” and it’s easy to see why. For a show that thrives on gripping, high-stakes drama, this episode just doesn’t have the punch.
Fast forward to Season 3, Episode 6, “All for Nothing”, which presents another episode that fans often pass over. While this episode finally reveals some of the most painful moments between Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Jamie (Wes Bentley), it still feels underdeveloped. The revelation about Beth’s teen abortion/hysterectomy should have been a game-changer, but the episode glosses over it, leaving the emotional complexity of the situation untouched. Instead, we get more of Monica (Kelsey Asbille) running around in circles, dealing with a story about murdered Native American women that never fully resonates. The stakes are high, but the drama is flattened, leaving viewers with nothing more than an emotional letdown.
Season 4 is where things start to take a weird turn. Episode 8, “No Kindness for the Coward”, features an 1883 spin-off promo, which feels like an advertisement wedged into the show. While some might enjoy seeing Jimmy (Jefferson White) and the 6666 ranch storyline, it feels like a forced detour from the Duttons’ drama. The episode has some redeeming moments, with Jamie finally stepping up his game, but the show’s focus on the spinoff material and Jimmy’s antics distracts from the main characters. The episode ends up feeling like a filler, barely advancing the central plot.
Similarly, Season 4, Episode 9, “No Such Thing as Fair”, presents yet another frustrating chapter in Beth’s never-ending melodrama. This time, she frames Summer (Piper Perabo), John’s new girlfriend, for an assault, adding to her already lengthy list of irrational actions. While the 6666 ranch features some interesting cowboy life elements, it doesn’t feel like a natural fit for Yellowstone. The episode drags on with repetitive beats in the Duttons’ family dynamic—Beth and John fight, Jamie broods, and Monica is pregnant. It’s all very familiar, and not in a good way. This is the kind of episode that’s better off skipped, especially when it does little to advance any major storyline.
It’s no surprise that Yellowstone fans have strong opinions on these episodes. On social media, viewers have expressed frustration with the moments that feel like filler, especially when the show excels at delivering emotional, high-stakes drama. Some fans even argue that the episode-by-episode pacing can get bogged down in unnecessary tangents, detracting from the series’ otherwise gripping narrative. For many, skipping these episodes is a way to stay invested without having to endure repetitive plots or awkward detours. After all, when you’re rewatching a show, you want to relive the most intense moments—not the ones that feel like a break in the action.
While Yellowstone may have a few episodes that fans prefer to skip, the series as a whole remains a powerhouse of drama and intrigue. With the Duttons’ ever-evolving saga, there’s always something worth watching—whether it’s the battle for the ranch, family betrayals, or the complex dynamics of power and legacy. As fans continue to rewatch, they’ll undoubtedly find the episodes that resonate the most, but one thing is for sure: the Duttons’ legacy is never far from our minds. Even with the occasional filler episode, Yellowstone always leaves us wanting more—and that’s what makes it one of the most binge-worthy shows around.