Yellowstone Season 2: Jimmy and Lloyd's unlikely friendship is a passing of the baton in a very non-Dutton way
It is very rare that Jimmy (played by Jefferson White) has a good day at the ranch without someone poking him or getting in his way. Jimmy Hurdstrom is a ranch hand at Yellowstone and he doesn't have any friends. There are more taunts and jabs sent his way than anything else and honestly, it does make us feel sorry for him. Do the other people on the ranch believe in this kind of tough love? We can't be all that sure.
But it looks like Jimmy finally has support from the group he probably spends all his time with. From the last few episodes, we know that Jimmy has been having some money problems – some pretty big money problems. Not only was he hijacked during an errand run for the ranch, but his father was also brutally beaten up as a warning to him to pay up.
Since then, Jimmy has been desperate to earn some money that would help him out of this mess. In episode five, he asks Lloyd (played by Forrie J Smith) if there is any way he can pick up at the ranch. Unfortunately for him, he is on the payroll so whatever tasks he picks up, he won't be paid for it. But he also tells him that if a cowboy wants to earn extra money, he has to win it with things like bronco riding and roping. But since Jimmy isn't good at either, how will he win?
But in episode six, at his peak desperation, Jimmy is asked by Lloyd what trouble he's in but he won't say. Then Lloyd suggests Jimmy try to stay on a bucking horse at the fairground. It’s the only thing he's seen Jimmy do well.
But there is another problem – Jimmy doesn’t have the money for the entry fee. So Lloyd offers to spot him. Jimmy asks Lloyd why he’d do that. "Why do you think?" Lloyd responds.
He then coaches Jimmy on staying on a bucking horse, who makes it for eight seconds. Next Jimmy tries a horse that no one has been able to ride for eight seconds yet. While he is nervous, he keeps at it with Lloyd's coaching. They let the horse out of the chute and Jimmy manages to make it for the necessary time.
Jimmy is now ready for the rodeo. But at the fair, Jimmy nervously watches as others unsuccessfully ride bucking horses. With Lloyd's reassurance, Jimmy mounts the horse carefully, manages to stay on the bucking horse and wins the competition! He is given a winning prize and a belt to mark his victory.
This is the first time we see someone going out of the way for Jimmy, who has been quite the underdog at the ranch. We have seen everyone behave rudely with him and watching Lloyd help him out was the endearing connection we have been hoping Jimmy has since the show aired.
Now that he has some money with Lloyd's help, will Jimmy be able to take care of his money troubles?
'Yellowstone' airs Wednesdays on Paramount Network at 10 PM PT/ET.