'Yellowstone' season 3: The Dutton ranch stares at an uncertain future as the family struggles with its demons
Spoilers ahead for the Season 2 finale of 'Yellowstone' titled 'Sins of the Father'
Season 2 of 'Yellowstone' gave us a surreal conclusion, one that was quite contradictory compared to the rest of the season. In a bid to free young Tate (Brecken Merrill) from the Becks and bring him safely back home, the Duttons killed them (well, technically, it was the Becks who started it first). The finale also saw the death of Danny Huston's Dan Jenkins - a character we had just recently warmed up to, unlike Kevin Costner's John Dutton, who up until the penultimate episode considered the billionaire his enemy.
But the ranch is in a financial crunch - they are not making any money. We see Wes Bentley's Jamie inform Beth (Kelly Reilly) that the ranch hasn't made a profit in years and that makes her acquisition of new land even more dangerous. Owing to these financial troubles, we had earlier speculated the possibility of John Dutton selling a part of his ranch to Dan Jenkins. However, this was obviously before we had any inkling that our favorite antagonist would be killed in the finale. This leaves us with one dead, and a somewhat friendly enemy (consider their small chat from 'Enemies by Monday') and all the money problems.
With the financial storm pressing in closer and we expect it to worsen drastically by the time the show returns for its third season - it is only a matter of time till we discover how the Duttons plan on saving the ranch. With seemingly no leads, perhaps the casting of the third season could give us an idea.
Q’orianka Kilcher is a new cast member to join the show in her role of Angela Blue Thunder. A Native American, Kilcher is the political opponent of Thomas Rainwater. Her character is described as a woman with pain in her past and unadulterated fury in her present. According to reports, her character is convinced that Rainwater’s management of the casino has been a catastrophe, she shows up in his office, ready to punish the world and Rainwater for all the things it did to her. Considering how Rainwater and John became allies towards the end of season 2 - Rainwater even sent his most trusted man to help John against the Becks - we are expecting Kilcher's Angela to mess up that association. If she has to get to Rainwater, maybe via John is the fastest way. This could prove problematic for the ranch.
John Emmet Tracy ('iZombie') is set to star in a recurring role as Ellis Steele, a chief litigator whose firm represents Fortune 500 companies in land-acquisition deals. Steele is reportedly extremely intelligent — the kind of person who will smile as he stabs you in the back. This doesn't sound like good news to us. Beth has been acquiring land in order to save the ranch. But Jamie told her the ranch isn't making a profit and her move is potentially dangerous. How does Steele fit in this story?
In a season-long arc, 'Lost' star Josh Holloway will play Roarke Carter, a handsome, charming, shaggy-haired hedge fund manager with ambitious plans in Montana. We already do not trust this character to do any good. Handsome, charming, shaggy-haired - the combination sounds dreamy, but 'Yellowstone' doesn't do dreamy.
While the release dates for season 3 are not confirmed yet, it will be out sometime in 2020. You can watch season 2 on the network site.