Warning: This article contains spoilers for Yellowstone episode 512, “Counting Coup.”
Following Yellowstone episode 511’s violent, nerve-fraying conclusion, the opening of this week’s episode significantly shifts gears with an unexpectedly sweet moment between two fan-favorite Yellowstone characters we don’t spend nearly enough time with.
Separated by about 1,500 miles of Big Sky Country, reluctant lovers Colby (Denim Richards) and Teeter (Jennifer Landon) are talking on the phone, checking in on each other. By the time the brief call ends, the pair exchange awkward “I love you’s,” putting big, sappy smiles on both their faces — and ours.
While the heartwarming scene has us wondering what a rom-com spinoff starring the couple might be like, our hopes are soon dashed by more sobering exchanges in the bunkhouse. In the wake of John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death, Lloyd (Forrest J. Smith) and Carter (Finn Little) are pondering the ranch’s uncertain future, as well as their own suddenly precarious employment prospects. Rip (Cole Hauser) soon enters to let them know the Dutton estate is in full damage control mode, and they must prepare to sell off much of its horses and livestock before Uncle Sam steps in.
That hard business decision leads to a call with Travis Wheatley (played by series creator Taylor Sheridan), who’s overseeing the ranch’s show steeds in Texas. But having to sell the horses isn’t the worst news — at least not for Jimmy (Jefferson White) — who’s currently training under Wheatley’s wing at his Bosque Ranch. It seems the news of John’s murder hasn’t reached the young cowboy yet, and Rip asks Travis to deliver it. As Jimmy grapples with the fact his mentor is gone, the opening credits kick off the final season’s midpoint.
With the prologue’s emotional rollercoaster ride brought to a halt, we return to Jamie (Wes Bentley), who’s sitting right where we left him last week. It’s now several hours after Sarah’s (Dawn Olivieri) murder, however, and he’s joined by law enforcement looking into her death, initially reported as a carjacking.
But detective Dillard (Rory Cochrane) — the same badge handling John’s homicide — knows better. He begins questioning Jamie on his relationship with Sarah. Jamie is initially compliant, but quickly puts on his attorney general hat and demands a search warrant when the detective wants to collect Sarah’s personal items. Before leaving, Dillard warns the nervous AG he’s now a suspect. As soon as the detective exits, Jamie makes a beeline for the paper shredder and begins destroying Sarah’s sensitive documents.
Back at the Dutton ranch, Beth (Kelly Reilly), Monica (Kelsey Asbille), and Tate (Brecken Merrill) are about to sit down to a big country breakfast. But Kayce (Luke Grimes) is out on the porch, scrolling on his phone to learn of the “carjacking.” He gets a call from Dillard, who tells him Sarah was actually “targeted.” Upon connecting all the dots on Sarah, the airport project, John’s murder, and Jamie’s various misdeeds, the two agree the latter is in a whole lot of hot water.
Kayce next gets on the horn with his old military buddy, who’s done some digging and has all the intel on the firm Sarah hired for the Dutton hit. The mysterious man she met with in the season’s first episode is named Grant Horton (Matt Gerald), and Kayce now has his home address. Kayce tells Beth the law is coming for Jamie, but she fears her scumbag sibling will sell out the family, revealing their darkest secrets — including all those trips to the “train station” — to save his own skin. She tells Kayce to let her take care of Jamie.
While we anxiously await revenge to be doled out to both Jamie and Grant, the episode isn’t about to give us that satisfaction just yet. Instead, we get a surprise side story that delivers an unexpected gut punch. It seems that sweet moment between Teeter and Colby that kicked off the episode was carefully staged to ultimately pull the rug out from under us.
A wild horse, affectionately referred to as “Maneater,” is giving Carter a hard time at the ranch. When the teen cautiously enters the stable to fill its overturned water trough, the beast attacks, bloodying the boy’s face. Colby races over to help, taking Carter’s place in front of the scary stallion. The steed was just getting warmed up with Carter though, as it tramples Colby before kicking him in the chest, instantly killing the cowboy.
With the series final season claiming yet another victim, a deep somberness settles over the rest of the episode. In Texas, Ryan (Ian Bohen) and Teeter struggle to process the sudden loss of their best friend and life partner, respectively. Meanwhile, Beth’s meeting with Lloyd at the bunkhouse to pack up Colby’s personal items for his mother. Lloyd asks that she leave his hat behind to help Teeter through the mourning process when she returns.
Beth next tracks down Carter, who’s blaming himself for Colby’s death. She offers him some of that no-BS Beth advice, and comforts him by telling him he’s part of the Dutton family. Her pep talk tour continues when she discovers a sad Rip, who’s also blaming himself for Colby’s accident. She pours him two glasses of Buffalo Trace, one to throw in the fire and one to help ease his pain.
We also catch up with Kayce and Tate, who are also down in the dumps. They talk about life, death, and where grandpa Dutton/John will be buried. Kayce also tells his son that the family ranch is no longer their home. After Kayce sends his son off to the house, he puts a call into Mo (Moses Brings Plenty) and pointedly tells him he now knows exactly what he needs to do.
Later that evening, Kayce is packing an overnight bag when Monica walks in. He essentially tells his wife the same thing he told Mo, but adds that whatever it is he’s about to do, he’s doing for his family, not the ranch. She knows she can’t stop him, but just asks that he come back to his family when he’s completed whatever dangerous task he’s about to undertake. He promises he’ll be back in 24 hours.
The next day, we discover that Grant the contract killer is not only a family man, but a soccer dad. As he and his daughter get in his Mercedes, post-game, a hooded Kayce enters the vehicle’s rear and points a pistol at the girl. Just a trigger squeeze away from ending the man who played a big part in his father’s death, Kayce ultimately decides to let him live. But he does so under the strict condition Grant promises not to send anyone after his family to further sever his connection to John Dutton’s murder.
Grant complies, of course, but doesn’t get off scot-free. Kayce pistol whips him, then describes the violent act as “counting coup.” As blood spills from Grant’s head, Kayce explains he’s just taken a piece of the man’s soul by striking him.
Kayce then exits the car, but is soon scooped up by Mo. “Counting coup,” which is also the title of this week’s episode, is again referenced. Kayce tells Mo he thinks Grant got the message. “Did you count coup?” Mo asks. When Kayce confirms, Mo quietly nods and replies. “Then he understands.” As the two drive down the street of Grant’s lovely suburban neighborhood, the credits roll on Yellowstone’s third to final episode.
Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Network.