These past few years it seems like I hear the word Yellowstone, the popular ranching drama set in present-day Montana, at least once a day. I read articles concerning countless spinoffs from online news sources, see shirts or feedcaps with the Yellowstone brand or hear someone utter a popular phrase from the show. Normally something regarding a train station, which, to be honest I still don't understand but maybe someday I'll finally get to watch some of those earlier seasons and know what is going on.
Also, while we're on the subject I wish I had a nickel for every time I saw photos of couples dressed up as popular characters Rip and Beth for Halloween last year. Clever? Yes. Humorous? Certainly. Original? Not even close, although they and hundreds of other middle aged white women with faux fur coats and a bearded significant other looked amazing.
But I digress. I have enjoyed the handful of episodes we've watched and small snippets we've seen online. The one liners are humorous and the drama looks intense. A common complaint I've heard among the agriculture and rural community; however, is the lack of a believable plot. "That sort of stuff just doesn't really happen." Fair enough. I can't tell you the last time I beat a rattlesnake to death with my boot while my dad was off chasing someone down through the desert (or something like that). I find those plot lines entertaining and an escape from reality.
I, too, would argue that Yellowstone is not an accurate portrayal of agriculture lifestyle, but for entirely different reasons.
Can you guess?
THERE IS NO SECRETARY.
Correct me if I'm wrong because we've not seen many episodes, but I have yet to see a haggard middle aged woman who desperately needs to brush her hair and teeth lurking in the shadows, chasing down the boss to sign papers, calling the vet clinic for health papers to ship cattle, endlessly filing VFDs and making sure the truck mileage matches the loads that were shipped last week to the yard. You never hear the soft, steady utterance of curse words under her breath as she resubmits dig claims, makes appointments that will undoubtedly be rescheduled countless times and trades emails with other secretaries of several businesses they are connected to in various states across the nation at 6am on Monday mornings. Perhaps I've missed the episode where aforementioned secretary rearranges her day to haul hay or cattle or help process calves or run for parts or buck bales. Tell me there aren't at least six seasons worth of compelling stories RIGHT THERE. I can't think of much better.
When I see that part of the show I'll agree that it is more realistic. Until then, for myself and nearly every other ranch wife in the country, it shall serve as nothing more than an entertaining escape on Sunday evenings after the kids go to bed.
