Two episodes of Yellowstone in one night? Exactly like that, dreams are created! This chapter of Taylor Sheridan’s Western story, titled “The Sting of Wisdom,” opens with John Dutton‘s (Kevin Costner) first day on the job as the Governor of Montana.
Unexpectedly to Jamie (Wes Bentley), Kelly Reilly‘s character Beth, and Lilli Kay’s character Clara, John’s first order of business is to stop Market Equities from building an airport on the Dutton property. As Jamie discusses to him the many legal and political hurdles they will have to clear in order to halt the project and all the bridges they will have to burn in the process, he becomes more and more frustrated. It appears that exercising political power is just as challenging as John had anticipated.
This episode, which was directed by Stephen Kay and written by Sheridan, combines several subplots that go beyond John’s first day at work. After the accident and Monica’s miscarriage, it depicts the distraught Kayce (Luke Grimes), Monica (Kelsey Asbille), and Tate (Breckin Merrill) trying to put their lives back together.
The action then shifts to the Market Equities crew planning to murder the Duttons, followed by Beth trying to control Jamie. Finally, back at Yellowstone, Rip (Cole Hauser) gives Carter (Finn Little) a lesson in cowboy behavior and addresses a major oversight that could result in the imprisonment of two of our favorite bunkhouse boys and imperil the survival of the park.
Not enough movement for you? This episode also explains Kayce’s Season 4 vision quest enigma and introduces viewers to Beth’s preferred bar. There are many events in the second episode of Season 5, but five scenes stand out.
War Declaration
Everybody in the entire state of Montana is aware by this point that John will stop at nothing to defend his property. John instructs Jamie to draught an executive order that revokes all state permits and stops all state funding for all of Market Equities’ Paradise Valley development projects in order to fulfill his campaign promise from the Season 5 opener.
Jamie warns John: “By signing this order, you are signing a declaration of war.” Jamie is the state’s attorney. John snaps back out of frustration, “They’re raping the land our family has bled into for more than a century as we speak.” We are currently at war.
John then goes on to deliver a stirring speech about what freedom means as he sits down to sign his first executive order in front of the press and news cameras. Reminding his constituents that the projects he is opposing will result in tax increases and compel them to “decide if they can even afford to live in a place that they call home,” he says that they are forcing him to take action. He concludes with these moving words: “That, in my opinion, is not progress.” That was an invasion, which ended today. Nicely persuading, no?
Will Jamie be a friend or enemy of Sarah Atwood?
Sarah Atwood, the powerful business shark played by Dawn Olivieri, is Beth’s most deserving rival. One may question why Season 4 Market Equities CEO Caroline Warner (Jacki Weaver) did not request her assistance. Is it possible that she is a little leery of Sarah? Sarah is very present as she comes off the company’s private jet, but you can guarantee she still finds time to flirt with and ultimately take advantage of men.
Sarah maintains her composure as the Market Equities team witnesses John cancel the state’s funds and permits for all of their Paradise Valley development projects. She observes an angry-looking AG Jamie obediently signing John’s executive order, just like Ellis Steele (John Emmet Tracy) did in the Season 5 opener. That’s the governor’s son, right? Sarah scoffs, “This is like conducting business in Utah. “This son doesn’t look up to this struggle,” Sarah murmurs as she leans in closer to the TV. I believe I will start with him.
Monica Agrees With Kayce’s Vision
The loss of Kayce and Monica’s kid, John, is one of the most tragic elements of Episode 2. Monica brings up what Kayce witnessed on his vision quest in the Season 4 finale as the group deals with their sadness. Fans of Yellowstone were undoubtedly holding their breath when Kayce inexplicably told Monica, “I glimpsed the end of us,” upon her return home.
Is this what you saw when you claimed to have seen our demise? Monica softly inquires about her husband. Kayce, who is shocked, replies, “No, sweetie. I never anticipated this. We won’t perish as a result of this. What will? Monica queries. “I have to choose the end of us,” Kayce responds. I will I pick that. I guess it’s comfortable but cryptic?
The Deerfield Club is Beth’s
Fans of Yellowstone are aware that Beth always brings something surprising to the Deerfield Club whenever she swings by for a meeting or a drink. Beth is known for keeping things interesting, whether it be a wild night out that resulted in a harrowing journey home with Jamie in Season 1 or a memorable confrontation with Roarke (Josh Holloway) in Season 3.
The staff at the establishment have taken a shine to her because of that and (we can guess) her generous tips. In this episode, she sets up John’s meeting with Park County commissioners at the Deerfield Club, which makes perfect sense.
An outsider keeps hounding Beth to be picked up before her friends arrive. Beth says, “Buddy, here’s your one chance to leave me alone with your self-esteem intact.” Beth completely destroys him when he provokes her. It reminds me of the Season 4 premiere when she cheers up a bar patron after her husband mistreats her. “You have all the pussycats and half the money,” Beth purrs. Beth grins and drinks while the woman reprimands her husband.