After last week’s epic fight between Beth and Summer, this week brought a decidedly toned-down storyline for the Duttons, but that doesn’t mean it was without intriguing elements. “Cigarettes, Whiskey, A Meadow and You” found the family and the ranch hands rounding up the cattle for branding. It was an easier process than the group expected, and everyone had time for some rest, relaxing, and fishing. The episode was really about the beauty of the Western landscape and the families that live there. As John tells Kayce, “You could sell it, son. You could bottle it up and sell it.” Of course, the episode wasn’t without some darker moments, including heightened political tensions and the loss of a beloved rancher.
Rip’s Most Romantic Moment
Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) have a romance for the ages, but their scene in the meadow has to go down as their most romantic yet. After Beth was underwhelmed by the expansive scenery, Rip found the perfect spot for just the two of them—the breathtaking meadow he chose for their wedding, until it was replaced by the hasty event in John’s front yard.
He produced a flask of whiskey and a pack of cigarettes, and Beth tells him he is perfect. “I could do this. I could live here and never see another person in my whole life, except you…I don’t need anything else.”
A Beautiful Sendoff
John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his long-time friend Emmett Walsh (played by Buck Taylor of Gunsmoke fame) settle in for the night, sharing some heartfelt thoughts about their perfect day. Emmett says, “Governor of Montana on the side of a mountain, sleeping with his boots on. This world may have a chance yet.”
Emmett dies peacefully in the night, and John finds his body and says, “Well, Emmett, I couldn’t have dreamed up a better death if you paid me. You sure earned it, old friend.” John tells Rip, “He didn’t wake up, he just died on the trail, like every cowboy dreams it.” After a helicopter comes for Emmett’s body, John rushes back to the ranch to tell Emmett’s wife the news and holds her while she sobs. Fans of the show expressed their emotions over the poignant scene on Instagram.
- “I cried. 😭💔”
- “I cried harder in this show tonight than I have in a long time.”
- “The scene with John breaking the news to his wife was a tear jerker! Mostly ranch stuff..best episode of this season by far!”
- “Beautiful and special send-off for Emmet. Probably one of the most heartwarming scenes I’ve ever seen.”
- “I cried three times tonight! this scene with them under the tree, was so sweet and almost seemed ad libbed bc it was so natural between them.”
Rising Political Tensions
The President is making an impromptu visit to the area to address the state assembly and the directors of the regional national parks. After Emmett’s death, Governor Dutton is skipping the appearance to be with Emmett’s family at the ranch. Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) and Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) have gotten cozy and officially teamed up to take down John. While watching news footage from the ranch, Jamie says about his father, “He’s hard to beat in a fair fight,” and she replies, “I don’t think we can let him show up to the fight.”
With just two more episodes until the season 5, part A finale (and no word on when part B will pick back up), fans are soaking in all the Yellowstone they can get.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue
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