With the investigation into the John Dutton homicide plot taking over a lot of the narrative actual property on this closing half-season, the ranch arms and their tales have felt extra disconnected and irrelevant than ever. However because the Duttons slowly lose their grip on the one residence they’ve ever identified and the old-timers are pressured to reckon with the opportunity of leaving, there’s a welcome melancholy within the air. I’m not precisely pulling for extra scenes on the 4 Sixes — final week, slicing the ranch arms completely led to one of the best episode of the season — nevertheless it’s good to really feel like the entire solid is built-in, all a part of one story.

In “Counting Coup,” Rip and Travis get to work on promoting your entire Yellowstone herd in a determined try to take care of management of the ranch, whereas Lloyd contemplates different outfits he may work for. However the largest second of the entire episode belongs to Colby, of all individuals, most likely essentially the most endearing and least offensive ranch hand (in addition to the one Black character for a lot of the present). He’s there to step in and save Carter when he will get kicked and cornered by a skittish stud in its stall. Carter manages to place the horse down, however not earlier than Colby will get killed.

I most likely ought to’ve identified this was coming based mostly on the manipulatively lovable opening scene of the episode, when Colby tells Teeter he loves her over the cellphone. However we’ve seen nearly none of Colby these final 4 episodes outdoors a quick check-in with the remaining ranch arms early on, so it’s arduous to know easy methods to really feel about it. I’ve at all times loved the character, so I’m unhappy to see him go; truthfully, I’d’ve somewhat misplaced Ryan or Jake and even Carter, although we’ve solely obtained two episodes left with this solid anyway. However I assume it’s factor to sacrifice a personality with a point of actual emotional affect, and it’s affecting to observe Teeter and Ryan grieve. (The best way Ian Bohen matter-of-factly delivers the road “Simply misplaced my finest pal, Jake” hits notably arduous.)

The story of Colby’s dying isn’t actually a lot about Colby, although the incident does illustrate his bravery and selflessness. It’s extra an illustration of the dangers of a life like this one, the place “struggling’s the job,” in Teeter’s bitter phrases. And it’s additionally a car for Carter, who’s understandably wracked with guilt within the lengthy, somber aftermath. Beth is the one who offers the child some consolation, telling him that he’s to not blame; in any case, everyone seems to be blaming themselves, together with Rip and Lloyd, however the reality is that a lot of these issues simply occur typically on a ranch. Now could be the time for him to show to household for consolation — and as Beth reminds Carter, he has household right here.

I’m glad this scene acknowledges the connection between these two as a result of season 4 put a number of emphasis on their quasi mother-son bond (and the way it performed into Beth’s personal trauma about having children). However a number of this story feels prefer it simply exists to take up time and provides the ranch arms one thing to do and really feel moreover normal moroseness concerning the state of the ranch. It additionally suffers from its placement within the season: “Three Fifty-Three” actually dialed up the drama when it got here to the investigation into John’s homicide and the struggle between the Dutton siblings, and this time that solely actually comes into focus within the first half (and really finish) of the episode.

These bits are pretty entertaining, although, particularly when Detective Dillard places the stress on Jamie after Sarah’s dying (which is being referred to as a carjacking, despite the fact that it doesn’t resemble one in any respect). Jamie flounders like solely Jamie can, insisting that his relationship with the late Sarah Atwood was strictly private. However it’s a laughable concept; there’s loads of proof of their authorized dealings, regardless of what number of pages he shreds. It’s all simply means too fishy: The lawyer normal had a romantic relationship with outdoors counsel on the event challenge that his father shut down shortly earlier than his homicide. Jamie simply barely manages to maintain the detectives out of the bed room, however his panic and clear desperation solely validate Dillard’s suspicions. (“You’re treating me like I’m a suspect.” “I wasn’t, however I’ll now.”)

The information of Sarah’s dying confirms Kayce’s concept from the final episode that John’s killers would go after the one that paid them. Fortuitously, Kayce’s previous navy buddy’s effort to trace down the person in control of the operation pays off fairly shortly. After the lengthy Colby interlude, the episode returns to Kayce, who packs a bag for an evening and units out to confront Grant Horton.

Shortly following Grant’s daughter’s soccer sport, Kayce slides into the backseat of their automotive and delivers his threats. Pointing a gun at a 9-year-old’s head conveys the message fairly effectively: Kayce is aware of every little thing about this man and the individuals he loves, and he can kill all of them if he ever chooses to. It’s uncommon to see Kayce on this mode lately; as he’s settled into the lifetime of a household man, violence has entered his story much less and fewer typically, however this scene is a brutal reminder of how harmful he could be.

By putting Grant within the head together with his gun, Kayce is following a warrior custom that originates with the Plains Indians: “counting coup,” which he explains to Grant after which mentions to Mo, his getaway driver. By solely intimidating and frivolously hurting the person who killed his father, Kayce has defeated his enemy with out really killing him. It’s an act of mercy, perhaps, but in addition an influence transfer. It’s arduous to think about Grant going after any of the Duttons once more after that risk, moreover perhaps Jamie.

There are solely two episodes left now, and only some potential methods the story can go from right here. Typically, all I can actually hope for with this present is for one thing to occur — and fortuitously, there are issues occurring now, even when the urgency isn’t there prefer it as soon as was. The most important loss on the coronary heart of this episode might have left me with blended emotions, however at the very least I felt one thing.

• The Travis and Jimmy scene isn’t dangerous, I assume, however I can’t say I used to be tremendous invested in Jimmy’s response to John’s dying. They did have a bond within the early seasons, however we’re so faraway from these instances that it’s arduous to really feel the resonance right here. Possibly Jimmy getting proper again to work reveals how a lot he’s matured for the reason that early days — on this present, there’s nothing so noble and manly as burying your emotions and getting again to work — however we’ve spent a number of seasons now being informed about Jimmy’s progress, so I actually don’t have to see extra.

• It does really feel nostalgic to see the bunkhouse once more on this episode, particularly when Beth visits to pack up Colby’s few belongings to ship to his mom.

• “After I discover myself within the place of therapist, this household is fairly fucked.” Gotta love some self-awareness from Beth.

• I do perceive some viewers’ frustration that Beth didn’t get to kill Sarah herself, however I nonetheless suppose it’s extra shocking and attention-grabbing this manner.

• Beth is now saying that arresting Jamie wouldn’t really assist them, as a result of he’d reveal John’s secrets and techniques and smash the Dutton legacy to save lots of himself. However for somebody who retains insisting that she’ll “cope with it,” Beth doesn’t actually appear to be coping with it! I get that she will’t slit Jamie’s throat till the finale, however come on, do your Beth factor.

• Rattling, this supposedly elite skilled contract-killing firm actually isn’t superb at conserving nameless in any respect, is it?

• Shout out to Denim Richards, who has been with the present for the reason that very starting. I want he obtained a number of extra scenes to shine in these final episodes.