Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 28, 2020

Life is just a long series of losing things I love.

Enjoying 'Yellowstone: Season Two' demands a firm foundational knowledge of the players, places, and purposes established in season one; newcomers are heavily encouraged to begin their journey with the show there.

At its broadest point of perspective, Yellowstone's second season is no different than its first. Certainly some -- many -- of the external dynamics have evolved or are evolving, but at its center season two continues that linear narrative pathway through the Dutton family, exploring the importance of bloodlines, legacy, and maintaining the family name through triumph and tragedy born of both internal and external influences and circumstances. The show holds steady to its rather strict adherence to contemporary drama formula, opening and peering intently into the darker side of business dealings, personal relationships, and family feuds, but the supportive dynamics -- the people, the places, the way of life -- help to overcome the otherwise formulaic center and craft a highly watchable show.

Official synopsis: Determined to protect his ranch and his family's legacy by any means necessary, John Dutton (Kevin Costner) turns up the heat in the most epic season of Yellowstone yet. As the violence escalates and the alliances shift, the ranch experiences some if its most dangerous affairs yet.

Yellowstone centrally explores an old way of life interrupted by modern problems and unpredictable dynamics. But as the show suggests, it matters not where one lives, how one lives, or in what era when so much power is involved and so much money is at stake. The complications thereof are universal and go without saying, but the show explores them in detail, anyway. In a world of supposed law and order (in this season, rules are bent at will and broken with regularity to varying degrees of consequence), problems are not always solved with a good talk over coffee but often, rather, through personal manipulation (i.e. blackmail), through a manipulation of assets (killing off a herd of cattle), or, sometimes, yes, at the end of a gun or a kidnapper's hand. In season two, physical tolls are many on the Dutton family but the emotional tolls are more damaging, and longer lasting. And therein lies the allure.

As with season one, there's plenty of fine, juicy writing here, fine in terms of flow and flavor and juicy in terms of the dramatic currents that ebb and flow through the story. Characters are well-rounded, externally defined by familiar TV drama tropes while internally depicted to be authentic living, breathing people who suffer from the consequences of their actions, or inactions, and feel pain well beyond the physical tolls their dealings so often deliver. The cast is terrific in defining the characters inside and out. How they balance the unusually high profile places they hold or seek in society, in politics, in wealth, and in influence come across with the very real, very essential human emotions that fundamentally shape them, even if it’s not always so evident in how they carry themselves in their day-to-day lives. Season two has its share of backstory exploration, highlighting key moments in the past that are vital in explaining actions and consequences in the present. Season two pushes the Dutton family hard, in physical and emotional health, and it's how the cast so genuinely responds to the stimuli, and of course the gorgeous cinematography and world in which they operate, that allows the otherwise superficially trite drama to stretch well beyond the responses it would otherwise elicit in a more generic setting and with a lesser cast.

Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Yellowstone: Season 2 was digitally photographed and, like season one, dazzles on Blu-ray. The expansive Western vistas are inherently photogenic, and the majesty of large open spaces, dense forests, jagged mountains, and expansive blue skies are all presented in vivid, breathtaking detail and clarity. The picture is in full command of the manmade environments, too, with the Dutton home interiors and exteriors alike revealing the fine architectural work and the natural constructs within with great command of every detail. Characters are exquisitely presented. Facial textures are absolutely alive and in total clarity, particularly hairs, pores, and fine wrinkles but extending to applied makeup to give characters bloodied and bruised appearances as necessary. The Western clothing presents with impeccable sharpness, whether worn and dusty ranch hand clothes or fine suits and vests. The collected image is simply breathtaking. The color palette is gorgeous, too, offering generous natural greens and brilliant sky blues. The earthy clothing and natural tones around the ranch are deep and true. Blood is a bright, brilliant red, and there's no shortage of it in the season. Skin tones are perfect and black levels rarely lighten from a true dark position. Noise is in evidence in lower light but it's rarely bothersome. No other source or encode anomalies are apparent. This one's breathtaking.

Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Yellowstone: Season 2's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack manages its content well. Whether music, environmental elements, or scattered action happenings, the track proves to be healthy and vigorous, particularly along the front. Surrounds are not so frequently engaging as one might expect, often picking up notes here and there but lacking steady bombardment. That's a good thing, generally, allowing the sound elements to play in a natural state rather than forced surround execution. The backs pick up content as necessary, whether carrying select musical components and particularly gentle ambience such as rustling leaves and lightly blowing winds. More intensive effects, such as shots from a revolver in the final episode, lack the oomph one might expect, and some wider shootouts likewise lack distinct, intense authority. Dialogue drives most of the show, and it's presented without flaw in all areas of concern.

Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Yellowstone: Season 2 contains supplements across all three discs, though on discs one and two only the casual summary Behind the Story extras are to be found; disc three houses the meatier bonuses. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase but season two does ship with a non-embossed slipcover.

Disc One:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Brief episode summaries and deconstructions. Included on disc one are A Thundering (6:45), New Beginnings (8:28), The Reek of Desperation (9:19), and Only Devils Left (7:01).

Disc Two:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Brief episode summaries and deconstructions. Included on disc two are Touching Your Enemy (9:18), Blood the Boy (7:57), Resurrection Day (9:35), and Behind Us Only Grey (5:37).

Disc Three:

• Behind the Story (1080p): Brief episode summaries and deconstructions. Included on disc three are Enemies by Monday (7:35) and Sins of the Father (9:29).
• Inside Yellowstone: Season 2 (1080p, 3:43): A quick piece in praise of the writing, characters, and performances.
• Costner on Yellowstone: Season 2 (1080p, 3:06): Costner breaks down season two plot points and characters.
• Working The Yellowstone: Fight Choreography (1080p, 2:53): Fight Choreographer Wade Allen reveals the secrets behind the season's key brawls.
• Only Devils Left - Making Yellowstone: Season 2 (1080p, 30:22): This longer-form supplement more thoroughly and in a more relaxed manner explores the story, characters, themes, locations, photography, and more.
• Yellowstone Tin Type Photography Behind the Scenes (1080p, 5:20): Using old school photographic techniques to shoot stills for the season.
• Yellowstone Stories from the Bunkhouse (1080p): Tales from the making of each episode with Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, and Jefferson White who provide a somewhat humorous bend. Included are A Thundering (7:23), New Beginnings (8:11), The Reek of Desperation (6:59), Only Devils Left (7:32), Touching Your Enemy (6:02), Blood the Boy (8:54), Resurrection Day (6:16), Behind Us Only Grey (6:51), Enemies By Monday (6:27), and Sins of the Father (6:49).
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Included are Business of the Ranch (3:10), Vote For Who They Like (1:15), Hotel Plans (2:38), The Desk Is All Yours (2:37), Give Me a Sign (3:17), and Bunkhouse (0:46).

Yellowstone: Season 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Yellowstone: Season 2 engages beyond the surface, which is vital considering the various dramatic currents really don't resonate all that much in a vacuum. The cast soaks up the scenery and the opportunity to wear the shoes and work the land, to evolve the family dynamics and the surrounding social and political scenes with unrestrained depth, darkness, and delight. Season two sees characters challenged personally like never before; each member of the Dutton family suffers serious physical and emotional trauma through the season, building to a charged finale that's as emotionally draining as anything the show could have chosen to end the season. Bring on season three. Paramount's Blu-ray is well rounded, delivering excellent video and audio presentations along with a quality assortment bonus content. Highly recommended.