As we delve into <em>Yellowstone</em> season 2, viewers confront various harsh realities that unfold in this gripping installment. The Dutton family faces escalating tensions as their conflict with Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston) grows more intense. Jenkins teams up with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) to propose a hotel and casino project near the breathtaking Yellowstone National Park. This ambitious endeavor presents significant challenges for the Dutton family, particularly for John Dutton (Kevin Costner), as Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) struggle with their tumultuous marriage amidst the rising unrest.
Yellowstone season 2 also marks the introduction of the Beck Brothers, further complicating Kayce’s responsibilities at the Dutton Ranch. As he takes charge of ranch operations, tensions rise between him and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). The season culminates in a dramatic finale filled with shocking deaths, setting the stage for a suspenseful third season as the family grapples with the aftermath of Malcolm’s (Neal McDonough) and Teal’s (Terry Serpico) attacks. While the season is crucial, certain standout moments resonate even more after experiencing Yellowstone season 5.
10
Avery’s Uneven Arc Leads to an Unsatisfying Conclusion
The Disappearance of Cowgirl Avery in Yellowstone Season 2
Reflecting on Yellowstone season 2, it becomes evident that Avery (Tanaya Beatty) doesn’t receive a satisfying conclusion to her story. As the first female cowboy in the Dutton Ranch’s bunkhouse, Avery shines in several memorable scenes, particularly during her impressive victory in a game of “cowboy poker,” where she becomes the last one standing when a bull is unleashed into the pen. However, as the season progresses, her character inexplicably disappears, leaving viewers puzzled.
When Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) returns home after a triumphant rodeo victory, he eagerly anticipates sharing the news with Avery, only to be informed by the other cowboys that she has left without a trace. Although Avery makes a reappearance in Yellowstone season 4, her storyline lacks closure, as it becomes entangled in an unexpected plot where she confesses her long-standing crush on Kayce, triggering Monica’s emotional outburst.
9
The Painful Separation of Monica & Kayce
The Heartbreaking Separation of Kayce and Monica in Yellowstone Season 2
Upon Kayce’s return to the ranch, Monica and her husband navigate a tumultuous relationship throughout Yellowstone season 2. Living with her grandfather, Felix Long (Rudy Ramos), Monica and Kayce find themselves separated for much of the season. This storyline proves emotionally challenging to watch, leading some viewers to liken Yellowstone to a soap opera due to its melodramatic elements.
As Monica distances herself from Kayce, she takes a position at a university that offers housing, further complicating their already strained relationship. Recovering from a past injury, she begins a fleeting affair with her physical therapist, Martin (Martin Sensmeier), ultimately betraying Kayce’s trust. The entire narrative arc surrounding Monica’s choices feels poorly constructed, with her justification for pushing Kayce away falling short of meaningful engagement.
8
Rip’s Harsh Treatment of Walker Is Unjustified
Rip’s Unwarranted Aggression Towards Walker
Rip’s character undergoes a transformation later on, yet his bullying behavior in Yellowstone season 2 is evident. He exhibits a particularly harsh attitude towards Ryan Bingham’s Walker, an ex-con who he hires from prison to work at the ranch. Rip’s strong dislike for Walker’s demeanor leads to ongoing tension, as he continues to hold a grudge against him. In this season, Rip is primarily depicted as the enforcer for John, executing violent tasks on his behalf.
We observe Rip beginning to evolve in Yellowstone season 3.
Rip’s cruelty towards Walker is excessive. At one point, he even attempts to trample Walker with a horse, demonstrating his extreme disdain. There were moments when Rip contemplated sending Walker to the infamous Train Station, but Kayce’s intervention prevented that fate. As we transition into Yellowstone season 3, we start to see Rip’s character develop more complexity, especially after John gifts him a house and he enters into a romantic relationship with Beth.
7
The Dutton Family Fails to Treat Rip as One of Their Own
Rip Acknowledges He Isn’t Truly Part of the Dutton Clan
A stark reality emerges regarding Rip’s standing within the Dutton family: they do not regard him as part of their family unit. In Yellowstone season 2, episode 2, Beth confronts Rip about how her father treats his most loyal ranch hand. Frustrated, she tells Rip he is free to seek employment elsewhere. However, despite the Duttons’ failure to reciprocate his loyalty, Rip views the Duttons as his family.
In a poignant moment during the finale of Yellowstone season 2, John Dutton expresses in a letter to Rip: “My great grandfather had a dream. All of his sons on the same road. The same ranch. Working toward the same goal. That dream survived a hundred years. Until me. With me it died. I didn’t have enough sons. They just kept dying or quitting. Then one day, not too long ago, I realized that I have enough sons after all.”
Sadly, Rip’s experience stands in stark contrast to that of Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley). As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Jamie was adopted, positioning both Rip and Jamie as sons of John Dutton. However, Jamie was granted the privilege of living in the main house, while Rip was relegated to the barn and bunkhouse. In a bid to rectify this oversight, John grants Rip his own home in the finale, but Rip’s comments reveal how deeply he has internalized the notion that the Duttons do not genuinely consider him one of their own.
6
Dirk Hurdstram’s Tragic Demise in Yellowstone
The Brutal Beating of Jimmy’s Grandfather
The death of Jimmy’s grandfather, Dirk Hurdstram (Stanley Peternel), stands out as one of the most heartbreaking moments in Yellowstone. Dirk becomes a target for Jimmy’s former associates, Ray (Lane Garrison) and Blake (Ryan Dorsey), after they encounter Hurdstram junior. They coerce Jimmy into doing their bidding, and when he refuses, the meth addicts violently assault Jimmy’s grandfather to pressure Hurdstram into settling an $8,000 debt.
While Ray and Blake don’t intentionally murder Dirk, their brutal beating leaves him gravely injured and ultimately results in his death. This injury leads to a stroke for Dirk, making Jimmy’s former friends directly responsible for his demise. Tragically, Dirk’s death occurs when Ray and Blake return for a second confrontation after Jimmy enters the rodeo, earns the $8,000, and repays his former associates.
5
The Ruthless Beck Brothers: Yellowstone’s Most Formidable Foes
Malcolm and Teal Beck: The Most Ruthless Adversaries of Yellowstone
Throughout Yellowstone, John Dutton and his family encounter numerous adversaries, yet Malcolm and Teal Beck stand out as the most formidable. These brothers inflict severe damage on John’s cattle, resorting to dropping clover in the fields, which leads to the death of countless cows, costing John an estimated half a million dollars and jeopardizing the ranch’s viability. Additionally, the Beck brothers orchestrate the kidnapping of Tate, using John’s grandson as leverage to wreak havoc on the Dutton family.
Despite facing numerous villains, the Beck brothers inflicted profound and lasting damage on the Dutton family.
Tate’s abduction is particularly traumatic; Malcolm and Teal enlist a far-right group to kidnap Kayce’s son. This harrowing event leaves a lasting psychological impact on John’s grandson, causing him to retreat into isolation for days in subsequent episodes, often hiding under his bed. The Beck brothers’ actions represent some of the most significant threats the Dutton family has ever faced, causing lasting, irreversible harm.
4
The Financial Struggles of the Yellowstone Ranch: No Profit in 6 Years
The Dutton Family’s Financial Strain: Inability to Sustain Operations
In a revealing moment during Yellowstone season 2, episode 4, Jamie discloses a harsh reality that resonates throughout the entire series: the Dutton Ranch has not turned a profit in six years. This financial strain becomes particularly pronounced following the Beck brothers’ vicious attacks that result in the loss of several hundred cattle, costing the ranch approximately half a million dollars. This revelation not only underscores the family’s ongoing struggles in season 2 but foreshadows the dire consequences they will face.
As the Dutton family grapples with their financial instability, the pressure mounts on them to find solutions to their mounting debts and operational costs. The implications of this lack of profitability extend beyond mere numbers; they signal potential threats to the survival of the ranch and the legacy that the Dutton family has fought so hard to protect.
Related
Dutton Ranch: Cast, Story & Everything We Know About The Yellowstone Spinoff
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe is continuing to grow with the announcement of a spinoff that centers on Beth and Rip.
In the unfolding drama of Yellowstone season 5, Beth urges her father to reassess his business strategy, asserting that it is ineffective. Despite John’s initial resistance to his daughter’s financial insights, Beth ultimately proves to be correct. The struggles of the Dutton family become more evident, particularly when they face the impending inheritance tax that threatens to strip them of the ranch after their father’s death, revealing the dire stakes and financial complexities the Duttons must confront.
3
Beth’s Unrelenting Cruelty in Yellowstone Season 2
John Dutton’s Daughter Exhibits Uncharacteristic Meanness
While Beth is undoubtedly one of the standout characters in the Yellowstone franchise, it is worth noting that she displays an unusually antagonistic demeanor in season 2. Her relentless monologues and threats ensnare the entire Dutton clan, particularly targeting Jamie and her father. Beth’s behavior reaches a peak of controversy in her interactions with Kayce, showcasing a darker side of her character that is difficult to overlook.
After a physical altercation between Rip and Kayce in the presence of the other cowboys, Beth shockingly wishes that Rip had injured Kayce to the point where he would leave the ranch permanently. Her harsh sentiment follows her intense plea for Kayce to vacate, expressing her belief that he poses a threat to the ranch’s future. Interestingly, Beth’s character begins to soften in Yellowstone season 3, as she embraces her romantic relationship with Rip, revealing a more tender side to her personality.
2
The Ineptitude of Agent Hendon: A Poor Representation of Livestock Agents
James Jordan’s Steve Hendon: A Dangerous Livestock Agent
Upon reflection, it becomes clear that Agent Hendon (James Jordan) embodies the traits of an unhinged livestock agent, frequently displaying erratic behavior during his duties. In a particularly alarming incident during season 2, he shoots a teenager despite Kayce’s efforts to defuse the escalating situation. Although the frightened youth was armed, Hendon’s lack of composure results in a senseless loss of life.
There are additional troubling instances that paint a grim picture of Hendon’s character, such as when he kills two men in a civilian’s horse trailer while attempting to intimidate them. Unlike Hendon, Taylor Sheridan successfully redeems James Jordan’s problematic character through his portrayal of Dale in Landman, the executive producer’s follow-up to the Dutton saga.
1
The Bittersweet Nature of Dan Jenkins’ Death
Dan Jenkins: A Villain with Unforeseen Depth
Ultimately, Dan Jenkins’ death in Yellowstone season 2’s finale presents a bittersweet moment for viewers. Although he is portrayed as a villain, Dan’s motivations seem more benign when compared to those of other antagonists that the Dutton family faces. As the Beck brothers target both John and Dan, the two men briefly find common ground and ally with Rainwater to confront their shared adversaries.
Witnessing Jenkins’ death feels far from a triumph.
As Dan begins to establish a rapport with the Dutton family, his demise resonates deeply, feeling far from a victory for viewers. In contrast to the Beck brothers and the ruthless Market Equities executives, Jenkins is depicted as an individual acting out of short-sightedness rather than malice. Consequently, his death feels tragically vulnerable, as he passes away alone in his home and is portrayed with a level of humanity seldom afforded to Yellowstone’s other antagonists.
