So Yellowstone finally erupted.”Three Fifty-Three” delivered the kind of brutal, twisty drama the show is known for, even if it felt like we were playing catch-up after a long nap.
John Dutton, the rancher we loved to hate/love, is finally gone. Not gracefully fading into the Montana sunset, mind you, but dispatched in a shockingly violent fashion. The flashbacks, while perhaps a tad overdone, effectively built to the reveal of his murder, finally kicking the narrative into high gear. While Kevin Costner’s physical absence from the death scene was palpable, the show’s creative team managed to avoid the awkwardness of a dummy double, opting instead for strategic angles and quick cuts. Clever, if not entirely satisfying.
Kayce (Luke Grimes), seemingly more focused than ever, takes center stage as an unlikely detective. His military experience in Afghanistan surprisingly comes in handy, exposing the clumsy initial cover-up of John’s death. This leads him down a path of violent confrontation, culminating in a tense standoff with Jamie. The quieter moments between Kayce and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) offered a welcome respite from the otherwise relentless drama.
Jamie, perpetually caught between ambition and incompetence, finds himself further entangled in the web of his own making. While his involvement in John’s demise becomes increasingly evident, the shocking murder of Sarah (Dawn Olivieri) throws his meticulously (or not so meticulously) crafted plans into disarray. His reliance on slick talk and inability to foresee consequences are, as always, his fatal flaws.
Beth (Kelly Reilly), ever the pragmatist, forms a surprising alliance with Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), even going so far as to declare the ranch unsalvageable. This uncharacteristic pragmatism hints at a potential evolution in her tactics, though knowing Beth, it’s likely just a temporary detour on her road to ruthless revenge.
The episode’s overall tone is noticeably darker, shifting from the usual sweeping ranch vistas to claustrophobic indoor confrontations. The coroner’s initial bungling and subsequent apology add another bit of business to an already convoluted plot. And with Sarah’s murder seemingly orchestrated by forces even more powerful than Jamie, the conspiracy surrounding John’s death deepens considerably.
“Three Fifty-Three” sets the stage for what should be an explosive final few chapters. Whether the show can stick the landing after such a meandering journey, well, that remains to be seen.
Yellowstone airs on Sunday nights on Paramount Network.
