In a gripping final scene, Sarah is ambushed and fatally shot by assassins, and her lifeless body left in her car. For many fans, it was a moment of poetic justice. One Facebook user shared, “So glad Sarah got what was coming to her. I was clapping.” Episode 11 of “Yellowstone” Season 5 has left fans both stunned and satisfied, and social media is buzzing with reactions to its explosive ending. In this episode, viewers witnessed the unexpected and violent death of Sarah Atwood, a character who had been a thorn in the side of the Dutton family.
After orchestrating a plot to assassinate John Dutton, which was uncovered by Beth and Kayce Dutton, Sarah found herself outmaneuvered. Her hired hitman turned on her, fearing exposure after John’s death was officially ruled a homicide. Instagram was filled with celebratory posts like, “Bless the man that shot Sarah Atwood!” and “Satisfying ending to this episode.” On X (formerly Twitter), viewers applauded the acting in Sarah’s final moments.
“The acting was 10/10. Had a feeling she was going to get shot though,” one stated. Meanwhile, others critiqued the pacing of her demise, with one tweet noting, “The only downside is that Sarah did not squirm and sweat about her culpability long enough.”
Sarah’s abrupt end marked a pivotal shift in the season’s trajectory, largely influenced by behind-the-scenes factors. Dawn Olivieri, who played the cunning Sarah Atwood, reflected on her character’s evolution and the accelerated storyline. Speaking about the changes necessitated by Kevin Costner’s departure, Olivieri remarked, “We had to wrap this all up in lightning speed.” Her portrayal of Sarah — described as a serpent and chameleon — captivated audiences, even as they cheered her downfall.
While many fans relished her exit, not everyone was satisfied with how her story unfolded. A recurring sentiment was disappointment that Beth Dutton, known for her ruthless tactics, didn’t get to exact her revenge directly. The episode also heightened tension for Jamie Dutton, Sarah’s co-conspirator. With the Dutton family closing in and fans speculating about his fate, one viewer aptly noted, “Jamie is next.” Others have criticized the writing. “This week’s Yellowstone episode was top-notch, despite the plot holes you could drive the herd of cattle through,” one user quipped. Another, less impressed, asked bluntly, “Whyyyyyyy is the writing SO BAD this season?”
The netizens’ reaction to Sarah’s death differed from their response to John’s demise. Costner’s exit as John Dutton remains a sore point for many viewers. Some fans feel the show’s dynamic has shifted significantly in his absence. One Facebook commenter admitted, “Tonight’s episode was explosive, but it’s just sad without Kevin Costner.” Others, however, praised the show’s ability to carry on. One X user noted, “I thought Yellowstone wouldn’t be the same without Costner. It’s still pretty entertaining! Maybe you have to be invested already, but so far, so good.”