Wait. Let’s just be real for a second. If you’ve been following the Dutton family saga, you know the timeline has been a mess. It’s been years since we first saw the ranch under siege in Season 5, and the wait for the back half of the season felt like an eternity. Now that the show has finally returned to the airwaves, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is the schedule—specifically, when does episode 13 of Yellowstone come out?
The short answer? Sunday, December 8, 2024.
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But there’s a lot more to the story than just a date on a calendar. This isn't just another episode of television; it’s part of the massive, chaotic, Kevin-Costner-less conclusion to the biggest show on cable. If you’re looking for it on Paramount Network, that’s your target date. But if you’re trying to find it on Peacock or Paramount+, you’re going to run into some licensing headaches that have annoyed fans for years. Let’s break down the reality of what’s happening with the back half of Season 5.
The Long Road to Episode 13: Why Everything Got Delayed
The drama behind the scenes of Yellowstone almost outshines the drama on the screen. Seriously. We were supposed to get these episodes way back in 2023. Then the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes happened, which put everything on ice. But even before that, the fallout between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner became the stuff of Hollywood legend.
Costner is gone. John Dutton, the patriarch, met his fate early in the return of Season 5, Part 2 (Episode 9). It was a shocker for some, though expected by anyone following the trades. This shift changed the entire DNA of the show. Instead of a slow burn about a father protecting his legacy, it’s now a scorched-earth war between the siblings—Beth and Jamie.
When you ask when does episode 13 of Yellowstone come out, you’re actually asking about the fifth episode of this new "Part 2" block. Since the show returned on November 10, Paramount has been sticking to a strict weekly release schedule. No binge-dropping here. They want those live cable numbers.
Breaking Down the Remaining Schedule
Yellowstone Season 5 was originally pitched as a 14-episode season. They split it. Part 1 had eight episodes. Part 2 was supposed to have six. That would mean Episode 14 is the series finale.
However, Taylor Sheridan has a habit of changing his mind. There have been rumors—strong ones—that the "final" season might actually be longer than six episodes, or that it might morph directly into a "Season 6" that stars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser. For now, we stick to the confirmed data. Episode 9 aired November 10. Episode 10 on November 17. Episode 11 on November 24. Episode 12 on December 1.
That leaves Episode 13 for December 8. It’s the penultimate hour if the 14-episode count holds true.
Where to Actually Watch Episode 13 Without Getting Confused
This is where it gets incredibly annoying for most viewers. Paramount is a mess when it comes to streaming rights.
If you want to watch when episode 13 of Yellowstone comes out live, you need the Paramount Network cable channel. You can also use a live TV streamer like Philo, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV.
Do not go to Paramount+.
I’ll say it again for the people in the back: Yellowstone does not stream its new episodes on Paramount+ in the United States. Why? Because NBCUniversal bought the streaming rights for the flagship show years ago, before Paramount realized how big it would be. So, the old episodes live on Peacock. The new episodes air on cable. Eventually, months after the finale airs, the whole season will drop on Peacock.
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If you’re in the UK or Canada? You actually do use Paramount+. The international licensing is completely different. It’s enough to make you want to throw your remote through a window, honestly.
The Kevin Costner Void
Can the show survive without John Dutton? Episode 13 is where we really start to see the answer.
The ratings for the premiere of Part 2 were massive—over 16 million viewers. People clearly still care. But the vibe is different. It’s more frantic. Without the "King" on the throne, the "Princes and Princesses" are tearing the kingdom apart. Beth Dutton is as sharp-tongued as ever, and Jamie is increasingly desperate.
Some fans feel the show has lost its soul without Costner. Others think the pacing has actually improved because Sheridan doesn't have to spend 20 minutes an episode watching John Dutton look at a sunset and sigh. Episode 13 will likely be the peak of the tension before the supposed series finale the following week.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Yellowstone "Ending"
There’s this massive misconception that Episode 14 is the absolute end of the Dutton story.
It’s not. Not even close.
Even as we look toward when episode 13 of Yellowstone comes out, we already know about 1944 and 2024 (the spinoffs). More importantly, there are massive negotiations happening to keep the current timeline going. There’s a very high probability that "Season 6" is just going to be rebranded as a new show featuring Rip and Beth.
Think of it like The Walking Dead. The main show "ended," but the story just fractured into three other shows that are basically the same thing. Yellowstone is a brand now, not just a series. It’s an ecosystem of cowboy hats, whiskey, and family betrayal.
Why the Release Date Matters for Discovery and Spoilers
If you aren't watching the moment the clock hits 8:00 PM ET on December 8, stay off Twitter. Stay off TikTok.
The Yellowstone fan base is notorious for live-posting spoilers. Since John Dutton's exit was handled so abruptly, the "shocks" in Episode 13 are expected to be just as jarring. We’re looking at potential deaths of major supporting characters. Kayce Dutton has been hovering on the edge of a major life change for seasons now. Rainwater is still trying to figure out how to protect the broken pieces of his own land.
Technical Details: Production and Quality
The cinematography in these final episodes remains top-tier. Say what you want about the writing—sometimes it feels like a soap opera for dudes—but the way they shoot the Montana landscape is breathtaking. They’ve utilized high-end Arri Alexa cameras to maintain that "big screen" feel on a small screen.
The music, too, remains a huge draw. Bryan Tyler’s score and the curated country soundtrack have turned artists like Zach Bryan into superstars. You can expect Episode 13 to feature at least one or two "who is that?" songs that will top the country charts the next day.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Viewing Experience
If you want to be ready for the December 8 release, you’ve got a few things to do.
First, check your cable login. If you’re using the Paramount Network app, those logins expire constantly. Don’t be the person scrambling to find your password five minutes after the episode starts.
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Second, if you’ve missed the previous four episodes of Part 2, do not skip ahead. The continuity right now is very tight. Each episode picks up almost exactly where the last one left off. You need the context of the Beth/Jamie legal battle to understand why Episode 13 is going to be so explosive.
Third, prepare for the length. These episodes haven't been standard 42-minute TV hours. With commercials, they often run until 9:15 or 9:30 PM. Clear your schedule.
Final Thoughts on the Episode 13 Countdown
We are witnessing the end of an era in television. Yellowstone is one of the last "water cooler" shows where millions of people actually watch at the same time. Whether it’s the writing of Taylor Sheridan or the grit of the actors, it has captured a specific part of the American psyche.
The wait for Episode 13 is just a small piece of a much larger puzzle. Whether this leads to a definitive end or just another cliffhanger into a Rip Wheeler spinoff, the cultural impact is undeniable.
Make sure your DVR is set. Check your local listings for "Paramount Network"—not just "Paramount." And maybe buy some tissues, because if the rumors about the final episodes are true, the Dutton ranch is going to see a lot more blood before the snow falls.
What to do now:
- Verify your access to Paramount Network (Cable, Philo, or Sling TV).
- Catch up on Episodes 9 through 12 to ensure you understand the current Beth vs. Jamie war.
- Mark December 8 on your calendar for the premiere of Episode 13 at 8/7c.
- If you are a streaming-only viewer in the US, prepare to wait until roughly Spring 2025 for these episodes to arrive on Peacock.
The landscape of Montana is changing, and Episode 13 is the beginning of the final descent. Whether you're rooting for the Duttons to keep the land or for the whole thing to burn down, you won't want to miss the fallout.