tried to fake out audiences by "killing" Harrison Ford's Jacob Dutton and fell back on a cheap TV cliffhanger trick in the process. has enjoyed incredible success since it debuted in 2018, including its ever-expanding list of spinoffs. Despite running for five seasons thus far, has been surprisingly reluctant to kill any of its main characters. There have been assassination attempts such as season 3's bloody finale, but from

themselves to many of the ranch hands, death really only comes for the enemies of the family.

The same can't be said for though. ended on a devastating note when Elza Dutton (Isabel May) died in her father's arms, while saw her brother John Dutton Sr (James Badge Dale) being machine-gunned to death by a vengeful Creighton (Jerome Flynn).

This episode 3 cliffhanger also saw John's uncle Jacob (Ford) being shot multiple times too, and his death appeared certain. However, the next episode finally revealed he was alive but seriously wounded, but this twist can't help but feel like a ratings stunt in hindsight.

1923's Jacob Dutton "Death" Was A Cheap Fakeout

A TV series doesn't have to kill off a major character to be dramatic, but when it happens, the story should commit to it. The sixth season of was lambasted for a sequence where it appeared audience favorite Glenn (Steven Yeun) was eaten by zombies - only for the show to later reveal his miraculous escape. pulled a similar stunt with Ford's Jacob, but while it was handled with a little more class, it still felt like a gimmick intended to boost conversation surrounding the show.

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