Warning: SPOILERS for Dutton Ranch Season 1, Episode 1 – “The Untold Want” & Episode 2 – “Earn Another Day”
Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton’s (Kelly Reilly) new lives in Dutton Ranch surprisingly hinged on the cowboy Rip hated the most in Yellowstone. What’s more, Dutton Ranch created a new cowboy to replace Walker (Ryan Bingham), the soulful, singing wrangler Rip wanted to kill throughout Yellowstone.
Dutton Ranch reveals that a devastating fire destroyed Beth and Rip’s ranch in Dillon, Montana. Instead of rebuilding, Rip, Beth, and Carter (Finn Little) relocated to South Texas, buying the Edwards Ranch in Rio Paloma. Renaming their new home on the range the ‘Dutton Ranch,’ Rip and Beth are starting a new business herding black angus cattle.
Even though the Dutton Ranch is scaled back in size compared to the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, it’s still more work than Rip and his sole ranch hand, Azul Ramos (J.R. Villarreal), can handle by themselves. Azul recommended someone for Rip to hire, and it’s a direct callback to Yellowstone by Dutton Ranch.
Zachariah Is A Callback To How Rip Hired Walker
In Dutton Ranch episode 2, Rip recruits Zachariah Moss (Marc Menchaca) straight out of prison, just like he hired Walker in Yellowstone season 1. Zachariah was a wrangler on the Edwards Ranch before he was jailed for reasons yet to be revealed. Surprisingly, Rip wasn’t eager to learn Zach’s story.
Dutton Ranch Episodes 1 & 2 Ending Explained: Why Rip Did THAT After The Murder In Texas
Beth and Rip find no peace in Dutton Ranch as they find themselves against new enemies in Texas who will do anything to protect their secrets.
Zachariah is reminiscent of Walker in that he seems mournful and regretful about the reason he was sent to prison, and Zach has no other options but to accept a job from Rip. However, the Dutton Ranch is a homecoming for Zachariah, whereas Walker saw the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch as “evil” and another prison.
Rip quickly grew to hate Walker in Yellowstone. Walker felt he had no choice but to accept the Yellowstone ‘Y’ brand, but he outright refused to do the dirty work that comes with being a cowboy employed by John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Beth also had a fling with Walker to make Rip jealous. Mission accomplished. Rip held it against Walker, not Beth.
Rip tried to send Walker to the Train Station in Yellowstone season 2, but Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) spared Walker’s life. When Walker returned to the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Rip resumed his hatred of the singing cowboy. However, Rip and Walker managed to co-exist until the end of Yellowstone.
Beth & Rip Rebuilt Their Lives In Texas Thanks To Walker
Walker turned out to be the unexpected guardian angel who enabled Rip and Beth to start over in Dutton Ranch. In Dutton Ranch episode 2’s flashbacks, Rip said he called“everyone I know” after the Montana fire. It was Walker who gave Beth and Rip the lead on the Edwards Ranch in Rio Paloma.
… [truncated for brevity] …
Zachariah is reminiscent of Walker in that he seems mournful and regretful about the reason he was sent to prison, and Zach has no other options but to accept a job from Rip. However, the Dutton Ranch is a homecoming for Zachariah, whereas Walker saw the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch as “evil” and another prison.
Zachariah is reminiscent of Walker in that he seems mournful and regretful about his past actions leading to his imprisonment. Despite this, Zach has no choice but to accept employment from Rip at Dutton Ranch.
The conclusion of Yellowstone saw Walker finding work at Travis Wheatley’s ranch after leaving Montana behind. This transition suggests that he may have found contentment away from his previous life filled with danger.
The dynamic between Walker and Rip showcases growth as they navigate their past grievances while building new lives at Dutton Ranch.
