Yellowstone

Representation / casting choices

Prominent Native American characters and reservation land disputes form a recurring, audience-visible plot driver across seasons; one lead Native role (Monica Dutton) drew authenticity complaints from Native viewers and communities. Casting fits the Montana setting and story logic without clear quota-style signaling.

Political / ideological dialogue

Dialogue stays mostly practical and conflict-driven around land, power, and family survival; occasional references to development, government, and cultural change appear but lack heavy lecturing or activist framing.

Identity-driven story themes

Native American historical grievances and reservation life receive recurring attention as sources of tension, alongside the Duttons' defense of traditional ranching against modern encroachment; these serve dramatic family and power stories more than standalone social-justice messaging.

Institutional / cultural critique

The show repeatedly depicts government bureaucracy, corporate developers, and rapid outside change as threats to rural traditions and self-reliance, with some arcs portraying environmental activists as naive or disruptive; critiques align more with property-rights and anti-overreach views than progressive institutional attacks, though corporate greed appears across sides.