‘Worst Episode Ever’: Viewers React to Season 5, Episode 13 of ‘Yellowstone’ as a Popular Supermodel Makes a Cameo

Viewers were left disappointed by the unexpected cameo of Bella Hadid in “Yellowstone’s” Season 5, Episode 13, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

In the episode titled “Give The World Away,” which aired on December 8, 2024, Beth Dutton played by Kelly Reilly travels to Texas to meet with Travis, portrayed by Taylor Sheridan.

Upon arriving at his home, Beth is introduced to Travis’ girlfriend, Sadie, played by supermodel Hadid. The episode also features a brief cameo from Hadid’s real-life boyfriend, Adan Banuelos.

Viewers were surprised by Hadid’s casting, questioning its necessity and criticizing the writers for straying from the show’s core. One viewer couldn’t hold back, saying, “Worst episode in Yellowstone history.” Another viewer added to the criticism, “This part of the episode was very unnecessary…”

A different user voiced their displeasure, “Worst episode ever, just wasted my hour watching nonsense. Hopefully next episode is better.” Another user decided to point fingers, penning, “A spoiled brat actor ruined it,” while one fan declared, “Yellowstone TRASH, tonight’s episode! So disappointing and left off with so many unanswered questions.”

Some fans were more focused on the supermodel’s unexpected appearance, with one person noting, “This is the most random cameo on tv 😂,” and another individual exclaiming, “What is Bella Hadid doing here?”

For some, it was all about the show’s direction. “This was unnecessary, no point to Yellowstone! Just someone showing how much money they have and wanted to show it off! Very disappointed, when your [sic] the writer, you can do what ya want!” one fan lamented.

Another viewer similarly voiced, “Ugh was this necessary? We want to see the OGs, not some random model posted in the 2nd to last episode.”

A more conflicted fan expressed their mixed feelings, “I really love Bella but this was unnecessary from my point of view. Now you’re going to think I’m watching Yellowstone just because she appears.”

On the performance side, one person bluntly remarked, “Zero talent,” while another humorously added, “Bella Hadid on Yellowstone is crazy work.” A frustrated fan also weighed in, “Gotta be honest, when I saw Bella Hadid, kinda rolled my eyes. Awful casting, bring back Abby! #Yellowstone.”

Some took their criticism a step further wondering if the plot and casting choices were the reason Kevin Costner, a former main character, departed. One viewer remarked, “I see why Kevin had enough and left. These episodes are stupid.”

Another viewer didn’t mince words either, jotting, “Can do without this episode! No wonder Costner quit.” A fan who had strong feelings about the episode shared, “Tonight’s episode of Yellowstone was the worst in it’s series history, nauseating to even watch. Team Kevin even more than before if that’s even possible.”

Some had a more specific gripe about the casting, with one joking, “I know this man Taylor Sheridan didn’t just write Bella Hadid into Yellowstone and made her his girlfriend 😂.”

Finally, a viewer summed up the overall sentiment by stating, “Yellowstone has gotten so random 🤷🏽‍♀️Bella Hadid! The gross scene with the women in their undies. The writers are phoning it in for the last season.”

Despite the criticisms, Bella Hadid has received a warm welcome from the “Yellowstone” team, who wrote on Instagram, “Welcome to the Yellowstone family, @bellahadid! #YellowstoneTV.” It is still unclear if the supermodel will have more screen time. However, her debut episode has faced backlash.

A reviewer criticized the penultimate episode of “Yellowstone” for wasting valuable time with unnecessary filler, rather than advancing the season’s key storylines. They expressed disappointment with the episode, noting that it failed to deliver exciting moments, leaving viewers with a forgettable experience.

As the penultimate episode did not meet viewers’ expectations, it puts even more pressure on the finale, with fans now anticipating action-packed scenes and long-awaited answers to lingering questions. The finale will need to deliver on these fronts to satisfy the audience and close the series on a high note.

However, season 5, episode 12 of “Yellowstone” had more action compared to its penultimate episode. A shocking horse-related death stunned fans, igniting debates about the show’s daring twists and sudden losses of beloved fan-favorite characters.

The episode centered on the sudden, tragic death of Colby, a beloved ranch hand played by Denim Richards, sparking an outpouring of emotions on social media.

The dramatic moment unfolded as Carter, a young member of the Dutton Ranch team, attempted to handle a volatile horse nicknamed “Maneater.” While trying to refill the animal’s water trough, Carter was attacked, leaving his face bloodied.

Colby rushed to intervene, stepping into the danger zone to protect the teen. Tragically, Maneater trampled Colby before delivering a fatal kick to his chest, leaving fans devastated by the cowboy’s sudden and heroic death. “So upset with tonight’s episode 😭 why Colby!” one viewer exclaimed.

Another expressed their frustration, “Wow, not Colby! I’m so fed up rn 😂[sic].” The emotional weight of Colby’s death resonated deeply, with one fan remarking, “That hurt worse than Johns [sic].” Someone else typed, “Can’t believe Colby is gone.”

Meanwhile, others commented on the rapid losses of the show’s roster including Costner’s John Dutton III, “Characters dropping like flies after John Dutton exited.”

More viewers took to social media to express a range of strong emotions following Colby’s unexpected death. One described the event as unnecessary.

Another reflected on Colby’s demise in comparison to John Dutton’s earlier departure, noting that this latest loss felt more emotionally impactful. One commenter described the death as particularly devastating, emphasizing its unique emotional weight.

One viewer shared their surprise at Colby’s death, noting ranch hand Teeter’s emotional reaction and admitting it was difficult not to cry. The comment also conveyed bittersweet anticipation for the remaining episodes of the season.

Colby’s tragic fate followed Episode 11, which featured the violent death of Sarah Atwood, a longtime adversary of the Dutton family.

Episode 11 revealed Sarah’s downfall after her plot to assassinate John was uncovered by Beth and Kayce. Outmaneuvered, Sarah faced betrayal from her own hired hitman, who turned on her to avoid exposure once John’s death was officially ruled a homicide.

In a gripping final scene, Sarah was ambushed and fatally shot by assassins, 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.”

Fans took to social media to celebrate Sarah’s demise, with Instagram posts praising the scene and X (formerly Twitter) users applauding the acting.

While some viewers praised the acting in Sarah’s final scene, some critiqued the pacing of her demise, wishing she had faced more consequences before her death.

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 character, reflected on her character’s evolution and the accelerated storyline.

Speaking about the changes necessitated by 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, known for her ruthless tactics, didn’t get to exact her revenge directly.

Fans expressed frustration on Facebook, wishing Beth had taken her revenge on Sarah personally before her demise.

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.”

Viewers questioned the writing, with some praising the episode despite noticeable plot holes, while others criticized the season’s declining quality.

The netizens’ reactions to Sarah’s death differed from their response to John’s demise. Costner’s exit from the show was a sore point for many viewers, with some feeling the show’s dynamic had shifted significantly in his absence.