'Yellowstone' Season 3 Episode 1 Review: A somber introduction to what promises to be an explosive season
Halfway through the first episode of Season 3 of 'Yellowstone', John Dutton (Kevin Costner) has a nervous conversation with his daughter-in-law Monica (Kelsey Asbille). "You're in the Indian now," she tells him simply about at constant wars he is embroiled in to protect his ranch. She says, she gets it, being an Indian and having your land snatched away by force - murder, rape, pillaging alike.
"You're the Indian now," she tells him - foreshadowing yet another deadly season that will see that Dutton family fight to protect not just their ranch and land but to save their family and legacy.
The Duttons have been involved in vicious fights to protect what is theirs. The wounds from the previous season's finale are still fresh. Tate, John's only grandson, is struggling through PTSD, having nightmares about his kidnapping by the Beck brothers. Every time that he sees Tate or gets an update on him, John's face tears up. He evidently wishes he could do something more than just let time take its course to heal Tate.
Meanwhile, the finale from last season left six people dead - six people murdered and left unaccounted for. The Governor increases the pressure on John which leads to him reshuffling the political decks. While Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) being his first choice is not arguable, we hope settling with Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) doesn't come back to bite them.
After the events of Season 2, Beth (Kelly Reilly) is still nursing the bruises of her wounds from the attack. The remnants of the previous season go beyond this however as she and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) are shown now in love more than ever. The season could prove to be a 'make it' or 'break it' kind of a deal for the duo as we expect some weariness in the upcoming episodes.
Almost all at once, suddenly, the Duttons get whiff of a threat lurking just around the corner. Kayce and Rip stumble upon an entity named Providence on the outskirts of the ranch. Dressed in suits, carrying an air of self-importance, Rip and Kayce do not engage - but Providence seemed very eager to. Providence also seemed to have gotten on the wrong side of Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) by sending a cease and desist on his site.
Some distance away, Beth finds a trespasser - Josh Holloway in a charmingly foretelling appearance. And Beth being Beth might have joined the dots and immediately springs into action.
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Lindon, the episode is a somber introduction to what looks like an explosive season. 'Yellowstone' continues to stay true to its foundations and shows the Dutton family dynamics following a grave event. The cloud of despair and remorse hangs grey and heavy upon the Dutton family as they cling close to what is theirs - blood and sweat alike.
'Yellowstone' airs Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on Paramount Network.
