The consequences of John’s death are temporarily put aside as the shocking death of another character takes center stage.
Next Yellowstone After the violent, nail-biting conclusion of episode 511, the opening of this week’s episode shifts gears significantly with an unexpectedly beautiful moment between two fan favorites Yellowstone characters we don’t spend nearly enough time with.
Separated by approximately 1,500 miles of Big Sky Country, reluctant lovers Colby (Denim Richards) and Teeter (Jennifer Landon) are on the phone checking in on each other. By the time the short conversation ends, the couple exchanges an awkward “I love you,” putting a big, juicy smile on their faces — and ours.
Related: Yellowstone summary: A new wrinkle in John’s murder investigation complicates matters for the Dutton clan
While the heartwarming scene makes us wonder what a rom-com spin-off starring the couple could be like, our hopes are quickly dashed by more sobering conversations in the bunk room. In the aftermath of John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death, Lloyd (Forrest J. Smith) and Carter (Finn Little) ponder the ranch’s uncertain future, as well as their own suddenly uncertain employment prospects. Rip (Cole Hauser) soon enters to let them know that the Dutton estate is in full damage control mode, and they must prepare to sell off a large portion of the horses and cattle before Uncle Sam intervenes.
That tough business decision leads to a phone call with Travis Wheatley (played by series creator Taylor Sheridan), who oversees the show horses at the Texas ranch. But having to sell the horses isn’t the worst news – at least not for Jimmy (Jefferson White) – who is currently training under Wheatley’s wing at his Bosque Ranch. It seems that news of John’s murder has not yet reached the young cowboy, and Rip asks Travis to deliver it. As Jimmy struggles with the fact that his mentor is gone, the opening credits kick off the centerpiece of the final season.
Paramount Network Wes Bentley in Season 5, Episode 8 of ‘Yellowstone’
Now that the emotional rollercoaster ride of the prologue has come to a halt, we return to Jamie (Wes Bentley), who is sitting right where we left him last week. However, it is now several hours after Sarah’s (Dawn Olivieri) murder, and he is joined by law enforcement officers investigating her death, initially reported as a carjacking.
But Detective Dillard (Rory Cochrane) – the same Badge who handles John’s murder – knows better. He begins to question Jamie about his relationship with Sarah. Jamie is initially compliant, but quickly puts on his attorney general hat and demands a search warrant when the detective wants to retrieve Sarah’s personal items. Before leaving, Dillard warns the nervous AG that he is now a suspect. As soon as the detective leaves, Jamie rushes to the paper shredder and begins destroying Sarah’s sensitive documents.
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Luke Grimes and Kelly Reilly on ‘Yellowstone’
Back at the Dutton ranch, Beth (Kelly Reilly), Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and Tate (Brecken Merrill) are about to sit down to a big country breakfast. But Kayce (Luke Grimes) is standing on the porch, scrolling through his phone to hear about the carjacking. He gets a call from Dillard, who tells him that Sarah was actually “targeted.” After connecting all the dots on Sarah, the airport project, John’s murder, and Jamie’s various misdeeds, the two agree that the latter is in a lot of trouble.
Kayce then goes to work with his old military friend, who has done some digging and has all the information on the firm that hired Sarah for the Dutton hit. The mystery man she met in the first episode of the season is named Grant Horton (Matt Gerald), and Kayce now has his home address. Kayce tells Beth that the law is coming for Jamie, but she fears her sleazy sibling will betray the family and reveal their darkest secrets – including all those trips to the ‘train station’ – to save his own skin. She tells Kayce to take care of Jamie.
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While we eagerly await the revenge that will be meted out to both Jamie and Grant, the episode won’t give us that satisfaction just yet. Instead, we get a surprising side story that delivers an unexpected gut punch. It seems like the sweet moment between Teeter and Colby that started the episode was carefully staged only to ultimately pull the rug out from under us.
A wild horse, affectionately called ‘Maneater’, is giving Carter a hard time at the ranch. When the teenager carefully enters the stable to fill the fallen water trough, the beast attacks, leaving the boy’s face bloodied. Colby rushes to help and takes Carter’s place for the scary stallion. However, the steed was just warming up with Carter, as it trampled Colby before kicking him in the chest, killing the cowboy instantly.
Paramount Network
Luke Grimes in Yellowstone Season 5
With the final season of the series claiming another victim, a deep gloom hangs over the rest of the episode. In Texas, Ryan (Ian Bohen) and Teeter struggle to cope with the sudden loss of their best friend and significant other, respectively. Meanwhile, Beth meets with Lloyd at the dorm to pack Colby’s personal items for his mother. Lloyd asks them to leave his hat behind to help Teeter through the grieving process when she returns.
Beth then tracks down Carter, who blames himself for Colby’s death. She gives him some of that no-BS Beth advice, and comforts him by telling him he’s part of the Dutton family. Her pep talk tour continues when she discovers a distressed Rip, who also blames himself for Colby’s accident. She pours him two glasses of Buffalo Trace, one to throw into the fire and one to ease his pain.
We also talk to Kayce and Tate, who are also in the doldrums. They talk about life, death and where Grandpa Dutton/John will be buried. Kayce also tells his son that the family farm is no longer their home. After Kayce sends his son home, he calls Mo (Moses Brings Plenty) and emphatically tells him that he now knows exactly what to do.
Related: Yellowstone Director surprised by fans’ reaction to John Dutton’s death: ‘You are not supposed to be doing well’
Later that evening, Kayce is packing an overnight bag when Monica walks in. He tells his wife essentially the same thing he told Mo, but adds that whatever he’s going to do, he’s doing it for his family, not for the ranch. She knows she cannot stop him, but simply asks him to come back to his family when he is done with the dangerous task he is about to undertake. He promises he will be back within 24 hours.
The next day we discover that Grant, the hitman, is not only a family man, but also a football dad. As he and his daughter get into his Mercedes after the game, a hooded Kayce enters the rear of the vehicle and points a gun at the girl. Just one trigger away from ending the man who played a huge role in his father’s death, Kayce ultimately decides to let him live. But he does this under the strict condition that Grant promises not to send anyone after his family to further sever his connection to John Dutton’s murder.
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Grant of course complies with this, but cannot simply get away with it. The Kayce gun whips him and then describes the violent act as “counting a coup.” As blood flows from Grant’s head, Kayce explains that he just took away a piece of the man’s soul by beating him.
Kayce then leaves the car, but is quickly arrested by Mo. There is another reference to “Counting coup”, which is also the title of this week’s episode. Kayce tells Mo that he thinks Grant got the message. “Did you count the coup?” asks Mo. When Kayce confirms, Mo nods softly and answers. “Then he will understand.” As the two drive down the street of Grant’s beautiful suburb, the credits roll to the third through final episodes of Yellowstone.
