So I'm finally getting caught up on Yellowstone. It's still one my favorite shows. But, as of season 3, I'm still disappointed with the writing for Gil Birmingham's Chief Rainwater.
Conceptually, Chief Rainwater was the character who really pulled me in back at season one. Wow, I thought, here's an interesting, modernized spin on Native American characterization. The idea of a shrewd, Tywin-Lannister-esque tribal leader playing chess with the competing regional powers was irresistibly magnetic and roped me in long before most of the other characters.
And he worked pretty well for a while. But then near the end of season one and throughout season two, the character just remained sooooooooo one-note. And through season 3 episode 7, it's the same problem. Every other character gets emotional development and we get revealing and intriguing insights into their backstories and ideals and aspirations.
But I swear every dadgum time Chief Rainwater is onscreen he delivers the same pre-packaged and cliche monologue and gets no opportunity to break out of the trite character-box.
John Dutton wants to keep his family ranch. Very straightforward but his character is fleshed out and feels so real.
Chief Rainwater wants to his tribal land back. Also very straightforward but that's ALL we ever get from him and no additional, humanizing gradience.
It's so disappointing.