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.”
A fan’s comment on episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | Source: x.com/takinapilled
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.”
A scene from episode 11, season 5 of “Yellowstone,” posted on November 25, 2024 | instagram.com/yellowstone
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.
Dawn Olivieri attends PaleyFest LA 2023 – “Yellowstone” on April 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Dawn Olivieri attends PaleyFest LA 2023 – “Yellowstone” on April 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Dawn Olivieri attends “Yellowstone” Los Angeles SAG Event on January 6, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Facebook comments such as “I was hoping Beth would get in her pound of flesh first” and “I wanted Beth to handle Sarah” summed up the frustration.
Dawn Olivieri attends the premiere for “Yellowstone” Season 5 on November 13, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
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.”