'Yellowstone' Season 4 Episode 1: Rip kills Roarke with snake, fans say they 'like it'

All of the Duttons thankfully survive the assassination attempts, but one blow will be delivered by Rip for the family
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler in 'Yellowstone' (Paramount Network)
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler in 'Yellowstone' (Paramount Network)

Spoilers for 'Yellowstone' Season 4 Episode 1 - 'Half the Money'

Fans of the Paramount Network were not disappointed after the long wait for Season 4 of 'Yellowstone'. The premiere for the latest season was filled with excitement and thoroughly gripping as we finally get to see what happens to the Duttons. 

Beth (Kelly Reilly) was seen surviving the blast with John (Kevin Costner) being out of danger as well. Kayce (Luke Grimes), too, makes it and we see the family harmed but safe. Rip (Cole Hauser), who's extremely loyal to John, did not take this attack sitting down and went to serve justice on his own. Read on to know the shocking end to the episode and how fans reacted.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Yellowstone' Season 4 Episode 2: Is Jamie behind the assassination? Beth thinks so

'Yellowstone' Season 4 Episode 1: Is Kayce dead? SHOCKING death may change everything

Fans of the show, who held their breath for a long time after the Season 3 finale, expected at least one of the Dutton to die. But thankfully all of them were seen surviving as the Season 4 premiere revealed their fates. What did come as a shock was the unexpected and badass ending to the episode. We see Rip with a cooler in hand walk up to ex Market Equities employee Roarke Morris (Josh Holloway) who is fishing by a stream and approach him cooly. Out of nowhere, Rip opens the cooler which has a snake inside it and those it at him. The scene which mirrored the businessman's first appearance also served as his last appearance. The snake which was venomous bit him on the face and we see the antagonist go down with his mouth frothing. Rip says "good riddance," and walks away.

Fans who weren't expecting the character to be killed by Rip in such a cool fashion found the death to be an absolute treat. They took to Twitter to react to the surprising death, here's how they reacted. 

One of the tweets read, "Roarke finally got his! Fuck yeah Rip! #YellowstoneTV". A viewer commented, "Rip killing Roarke! My dreams are coming true! #YellowstoneTV". A fan commented, " Rip letting that snake do the dirty work. Keeps his hands cleaner. I like it. #YellowstoneTV".

One of the viewers said, "Rip got a snake with a snake. Fitting. #YellowstoneTV #YellowstoneSeason4". One of the tweets read, "When a snake gets another snake. RIP Roark — and the “P” stands for “piss.” #YellowstoneTV". A fan also commented, "Oh my Jesus Rip is such a damn BADASS! Even when his wepon is a snake! #YellowstoneTV"



 



 



 



 



 



 

'Yellowstone Season 4 airs every Sunday at 8/7 on the Paramount Network.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

An ‘SNL’ alum is heading to ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 6, bringing another Quinta Brunson collaboration into the spotlight. Here’s what he shared about the guest appearance.
2026-11-03T16:41:30.000Z
Emily Lane faces her hacker ex, Aaron, after the Season 2 finale cliffhanger at her front door
2026-11-03T10:53:05.000Z
'Line of Fire' was missing from its usual Monday slot on November 2 for this reason
2026-11-03T09:29:20.000Z
The reported casting would put ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ star Ben Wang in a role previously played by Shawn Ashmore in Fox’s ‘X-Men’ film series
2026-11-03T09:17:48.000Z
The documentary takes a closer look at new DNA testing technology as it sheds light on JonBenét Ramsey’s murder
2026-11-03T08:56:03.000Z
‘NCIS,’ ‘NCIS: Origins,’ and ‘NCIS: New York’ will not air new episodes on November 3
2026-11-03T07:52:38.000Z
After a season of romantic mishaps and family struggles, Alex's story may not be over yet. Here's what HBO has revealed.
2026-11-03T07:03:45.000Z
'Chicago Fire' Season 15 will introduce Violet's mother in an episode titled 'Over the Edge'
2026-11-03T06:27:27.000Z
The latest episode of 'FBI' hinted at trouble in paradise for a much-loved couple
2026-11-03T04:59:13.000Z
The Hulu anthology moves from the Natalia Grace adoption saga to the 1993 Bobbitt case in Season 2
2026-11-03T04:34:19.000Z