'Yellowstone' episode 8 review: 'The Unravelling Part 1' is awfully undercooked

'Yellowstone' season 1's penultimate episode is bare, leaving one to wonder whether there's even the semblance of a conclusion in store for audiences in the finale
PUBLISHED AUG 16, 2018

Recap: Episode 7, 'A Monster is Among Us'

As 'Yellowstone' barrels towards its season finale, the series is beginning to pick up the pace. Episode 6, 'The Remembering,' worked towards answering some of the questions that have plagued audiences since the premiere and the 'A Monster is Among Us' did one better: it laid bare the plot that could ostensibly bring about the downfall of John Dutton (Kevin Costner). The revelation came via a completely unexpected avenue as well — through the encroachment of a few brown bears into the ranch and John's cancer acting up once again.

Elsewhere, Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) found himself in a sort of ethical dilemma. Confronted with two Chinese tourists who are inexplicably hanging off a cliff side, Rip offers them the chance to save one for the sacrifice of the other. Both slip and fall 20-odd feet to their deaths, but not before the big brown bear Rip had been hunting all this while makes a surprise appearance and is dealt the death blow courtesy of two bullets to the head. It appeared as though Dan Jenkins' (Danny Huston) and Thomas Rainwater's (Gil Birmingham) plan to have federal authorities look into the ranch's breaching of the river course — the alteration had disturbed the area's endangered bear population — had inadvertently been set off by one of his most trusted men.

RELATED TOPICS YELLOWSTONE

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

As it stands, the creators, Duffer Brothers, have denied a return
11 hours ago
One Piece' Chapter 1170 is slated to return on January 4, 2026
12 hours ago
Simu Liu's 'The Copenhagen Test' is now taking its share of the spotlight ahead of its release
16 hours ago
A familiar Cinderella romance gets a modern twist as ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 quietly reshapes Sophie’s role ahead of Benedict’s long-awaited love story.
16 hours ago
Kali’s return in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 changes everything, pushing Eleven toward a dark choice and leaving fans questioning her true intentions.
20 hours ago
A near-death confession and a surprise ring spark hope for Nancy and Jonathan, until the creators reveal what that emotional moment really means.
23 hours ago
'Heated Rivalry' is based on the best-selling 'Game Changers' book series penned by author Rachel Reid
1 day ago
The perilous search for the children in 'Stranger Things 5' Volume 2 turned disastrous as Jonathan and Nancy's lives hung in the balance
1 day ago
Kali's conversation with Eleven has fans speculating who might not survive the finale, as she warns the cycle of experiments will never truly end
1 day ago
The fourth season of 'Bridgerton' is based on the novel 'An Offer From A Gentleman', written by Julia Quinn
2 days ago