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Either Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) is prepared to play 4D chess with the Duttons, or she’s about to find herself ass-up when the rug is pulled out from under her. Because after Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) took a shotgun to their entire herd in episode 4, the couple get crafty this week and offer their services to the rival ranch. The plan? Rip manages the 10-Petal’s mishandled bunkhouse, and Beth drags the Jackson family business into the 21st century. For now, peace at the Dutton Ranch will have to wait.
“Rip is foreman. I take your steaks to market. We manage everything for you,” Beth explains to Beulah. “I want 20% of the profits, and in five years Rip and I are out.”
I can’t imagine we’ll see this through all five of those years. The Jacksons are up to something nefarious—dead bodies aside—and it won’t be long before Rip and Beth uncover the whole ordeal. But without any cattle of their own anymore, the Duttons are in desperation mode.
Luckily, Beulah is a big fan of John Dutton. So, if you’re ready for some major Yellowstone boasting this episode, the Dutton Ranch characters are about to talk about John Dutton like he’s Michael Jordan.
“All due respect, ma’am, your ranch and my ranch put together ain’t a quarter of what the Yellowstone was,” Rip tells her as he speaks of his prior experience. Then, he walks into the 10-Petal bunkhouse, pours himself some coffee, and orders the boys to “Get your asses in the saddle.” He also fires Chet (Hart Denton)—a man who surely won’t take his departure easily—and learns a bit about the dead fellow they dropped onto his ranch in the premiere.
Elsewhere, Carter (Finn Little) is still C-plotting away as he skips school to hang out with Deadwood’s Ray McKinnon. I don’t know what he sees in this guy. Is he funny? Sure. But he’s drinking a dozen beers while sitting in a kiddie pool this week. Carter’s new friend is also shot dead by the police this episode. He was an insurance fraudster who stole from the sick and the elderly, according to Sheriff Wade (Josh Stewart). No reason to kill him, but Wade is looking more crooked than ever despite briefly standing up to the Jacksons in episode 3.
