![]() ![]() In this episode, Ryan gets to reunite fairly quickly with Abby (Lainey Wilson) and this is a relationship that should excite viewers of the show. His flirtatious affair with one of the party-goers in the premiere was a moment fans haven’t seen yet for the character. One refreshing story thread that has been thoroughly enjoyable in these first three seasons has been Ryan’s (Ian Bohen) push into the limelight a little more. How that branded “Y” on everyone’s chest makes them a bizarre but bonded family, and just like any family, they’re going to ridicule each other incessantly. This episode, however, is a great reminder of the fraternity of the bunkhouse. Perhaps it was because of how utterly unsurprising it was that John won the election, but that entire gubernatorial party in the premiere felt flat. Yellowstone fans got some great ranch hand moments in the premiere, but it was strange how those moments, as fun as they were, still rang a bit hollow. ![]() Smith), as the gang tease him about his birthday and how old he actually is. Meanwhile, the man of the hour is the avuncular veteran, Lloyd (Forrie J. Walker unsuccessfully tries to hide the return of his barrel-racing-bunny, Laramie (Hassie Harrison) as the two are caught in the shower together. Later, we join the heart of the show, the Yellowstone Ranch hands, as they prepare for an honest days’ work, with some perhaps more honest than others. This is refreshing to see as the older John is typically a godfather-like figure for the most part, never truly getting his own hands dirty, and these early scenes with John served as a great reminder of who the man really is. Josh Lucas in this episode really seems to have found his footing when emanating the younger version of the character Costner has built, and in this teaser before the opening credits, the powerful, grizzled and dangerous John audiences have come to respect is shown in his prime. This hour opens with another flashback to the young days of Rip (young Rip played by Kyle Red Silverstein) who is side by side with younger John (Josh Lucas) trying to get to the bottom of the wolf problem they had three decades ago. Yes, it is just as character driven as the first two episodes, but that feeling of purposefulness that was lacking in last weeks’ premiere is absolutely overflowing in this week’s episode. However, “Tall Drink of Water” feels like a reminder of why we all became fans of this show. As a fan of the show, it’s hard to cheer for something like that. The show itself is already calling out the redundancy of John being in this position, so its continuance already feels unjustified or forced. John’s already achieved what he wanted to do, he’s already completely messed up the plans of Market Equities and the corporate wolves who subtextually hunt his land, much like the subplot of the real wolves that have been hunting the Yellowstone Ranch’s cattle. This week, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and his trusted advisor, Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) are already discussing how John should step down as Governor… and they’re right, he should. To give one more clear example of how episodes 1 and 2 were a little superfluous at times, one of the biggest moments in the history of this show – John’s election – was introduced last week, and it felt joyless. These feel like they are really going to pay off and truly change things in the world of Yellowstone. “Tall Drink of Water,” however, gives us some great character-driven moments, but unlike the first two episodes, these moments feel different. We even had a moment of real tragedy with Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) losing their newly-born son, but tragedy is nothing new to that branch of the Dutton family tree, and the two characters, while passionately in love with one another, have always had a strained relationship. Yes, Jamie (Wes Bentley) and Beth (Kelly Reilly) still hate one another, but again, this is nothing new. Yes, John (Kevin Costner) is now governor, but that was almost a forgone conclusion. There were plenty of things happening in episode 1 and 2, but nothing to really talk about. Surprisingly, Sheridan, who typically hooks viewers almost immediately, is going for a slow burn to unveil the secrets of this season’s story. ![]()
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