'Yellowstone' Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Dutton family escapes to the camp but troubles keep coming their way
Spoilers for 'Yellowstone' Season 3 Episode 2 titled 'Freight Trains and Monsters'
'Yellowstone' returns with the Dutton family spending some time by themselves away from the ranch at a summer camp they have put up far away from the noise. Just as Kevin Costner had teased through the run-up to the season, the family is taking their time healing from the wounds inflicted upon them. And it might just be working out for them. Very rarely do we get to the family simply chilling like this. With the ranch often under threat for external forces, the Dutton family doesn't usually get time to themselves. And now that they have, it is endearing to watch then in their element. John (Costner) spends some very quality time with his grandson Tate (Brecken Merrill). Back at the ranch, Tate was riddled with nightmares and couldn't sleep a wink. Here in the middle of nowhere, by the river, under the watchful eye of his grandfather, he sleeps well into the day.
Monica and Kayce get some time with each other, making many a cowboy's fantasies come true all the while making more promises. Season 2 was a wee bit damaging for the couple, but the deadly events only brought them closer together. The episode also focused on a long-overdue tribute to Beth and Rip's relationship. The two have only just found some peace after the horrendous events of the previous season and it looks like they can't seem to get enough of each other. We're not complaining, though, as we love this power couple together. From making breakfast to watching the other eat, sneaking away to a world of their own, and slow dancing in the middle of the field, Beth and Rip's relationship has never been in abt better shape than now. We only hope we didn't jinx it.
Elsewhere, Beth discovers the there is going to an imminent threat to the Dutton ranch. Roarke Morris (Josh Holloway) is keen to build an airport and a ski resort around it. These are only speculations though, as Roarke's plan is not fully known to the Duttons. So, Beth pays him one of those visits she is notorious for. While his intentions for the land are sketchy, he focuses quite some energy in flirting with Beth. Roarke thinks there is chemistry between him and Beth. He doesn't know her yet and he shouldn't either. In an episode that provided some much-need moments for those rooting for Beth and Rio since Season 1, Roarke's growing interest in Beth is good news for no one.
Speaking of bad news, Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley) received some. On his first day as livestock commissioner, Jamie receives a call from the now-imprisoned Agent Hendon (James Jordan) telling him about the killings from earlier in the day. It's a scene that foretells the gore and violence that is about to come this season. Jamie makes Hendon in charge of getting rid of an issue involving some miscreants. It was supposed to be taken care of "in the right way" by the new livestock commissioner. But Hendon messes up in the most surprising of manners and has now invited doom not just on himself but also Jamie, and by extension the Dutton family. Episode 2 of 'Yellowstone' sure packs a whole lot of punch, as the drama and action complement each other perfectly. The Dutton family escapes to the camp but the world continues to scheme against them, directly or indirectly. There is no peace.
'Yellowstone' airs Sundays at 9 pm ET / PT on Paramount Network.
