‘Yellowstone’: Beth & Rip Flashback Scene Divides and Confuses Fans
Yellowstone viewers were divided after Sunday’s (November 17) episode aired a flashback scene featuring Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly).
The episode began with an unexpected flashback that took place at the 6666 Ranch in Texas before John Dutton (Kevin Costner) was found dead. Costner’s character was killed off in the opening moments of last week’s season premiere.
After the opening moments, the episode then jumped forward to the present day, back to the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Montana after Dutton was killed. While many fans loved the scene between Beth and Rip and the focus on their relationship, they were also confused and frustrated by the jumping around in time.
“These time jumps in Yellowstone this season are so f****** confusing. I don’t give a s*** about Texas,” wrote one X user.
“So did anyone else notice that Rip and Beth managed to somehow end up back in Montana when in the previous scene they were both in a hotel in Texas? Please don’t be another GOT [Game of Thrones] and start not making sense at the end. We love this show!!” added another.
“This season of Yellowstone is completely lost. They should have just shut it down when Costner bailed,” said one viewer.
Another added, “I’m not a fan of this bouncing around timeline s*** with Yellowstone tonight.”
“They need to speed this up. It’s too much filler!! Stop wasting our time,” wrote another.
“This back and forwards s*** is doing my head in. Rips back at home hugging Beth, then back at 6666 with rattle snakes, then in a speak easy, then back at the ranch with Beth, like what the f***? How are we supposed to follow the timeline???” said one fan.
However, others praised the focus on Beth and Rip, two of the show’s most popular characters.
“Very enjoyable to see RIP and BETH the focus of #yellowstone now. The Power Couple we didn’t know we needed but absolutely love seeing together,” said one commenter.
“I love Beth and Rip’s shorthand, they both have a lot of baggage and trauma (who would want them but each other?) but the writers always did a good job of showing them stronger together than apart,” added another.
“Love seeing Beth and Rip happy,” said another.
Another added, “I really need them to make a Beth and Rip spinoff.”
“The love story of Rip and Beth is my favorite,” wrote another.
What did you think of Sunday’s episode of Yellowstone? Are you enjoying the flashbacks? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Yellowstone, Sundays, 8/7c, Paramount Network
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G
Was also confused. Last week they labeled the scenes after his death 6 weeks earlier. Why not label this time? I watched it twice to confirm that the snake and hotel scenes were flashbacks, and it looked like when Beth woke up back at Yellowstone, she had been dreaming of her trip to the 4 6666 before her dad died. Not bad, just confusing.
Also, watched the beginning of season 5 before the premiere of the second part—and Jaime definitely said he wanted Beth killed. Now they’re spinning it to he said he wanted John killed. Not good, as you can see what he really said any time they repeat it—which is all the time!
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B
Actually when Sarah proposed to him that the only way was if his dad die, he just tell he couldn't but he agreed when she told him that she its gonna make that happens
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O
Rewatched S5 Ep 8 and Jaime’s clearly says he wants to take care of Beth and his “girlfriend” says—if you’re going to go after her…. Of course they changed it because Costner left the show. They could have added a scene/flashback to the new S5 episode, or recut Ep 8. I think there have been other shows that did that. Anyway, powerful show and that’s why we hang on every word!
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B
I think Taylor Sheridan is too focused on his 6666 spin off and that’s why he’s bouncing back and forth. Let’s get back to Montana and quit horsing around (pun intended).
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O
I have never missed an episode. In fact watched reruns over and over. People need to stop being so stupid about flash backs and accept the story as it's written because it's beautiful even during the very sad parts. I just hope Jamie and the tramp get their come uppens. Train station be prepared.
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P
These time jumps aren't hard to figure out. Last episode, the first part was in Texas. They were Texas rattlesnakes for crying out loud. Beth was a lot happier on her way to Texas. The 2nd part of the episode, she clearly wakes up at the Yellowstone ranch in her bed. It is obvious we are post John death at that point. It never goes back to Texas the rest of the episode. It would be different if it bounced back multiple times per episode, but this was easy to identify.
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O
I think some of my confusion was that Beth and Rip didn’t seem as upset as they should have been in the scenes that returned to the lodge. They didn’t seem like grieving people. Beth started plotting Jaime’s demise—which she’s been working on for some time, so it didn’t seem post John’s death. I don’t know—something just seemed off in that episode to me.
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B
Exactly!!!!
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P
I think it was shame on Costner a show he Executive produces on to be so difficult to where it came to this point. To give us 4 and a half seasons of this iconic character to get taken out by hitmen in the first episode of Part 2. Don't get mad at Taylor. Kevin could have been more flexible other than burning money into a passion project. He angered fans of his by this break up, and nobody turned out for Horizon and that project is in jeopardy with no profit in sight. Why not do both and cross market? I have no problem with this plot of John dying. What was the alternative? Have him lay in another coma and hope Costner changes his mind? The part with Beth and Jamie in his office...tingles...Beth, Rip, and Kayce coming after Jamie and Market Equities soon. I'm ready for it.
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R
I agree with everything you said Costner has created his own nightmare and it’s not over for him. Taylor has moved past him and he’s going to have to accept that.
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O
I have read “sources” say it was Costner fault, and others say it was Taylor’s. I think it was Taylor’s because other producers and actors on the show have made comments (in some cases official complaints and at least one lawsuit) about Taylor delaying the series and being too busy. The one year delay has been attributed to Taylor, not Costner, and has affected other actors too. But I don’t know if Taylor maliciously hurt Costner, or just got carried away with all his success and wanted to strike while the iron was hot with all the other series. It’s happened before to other showrunners. Anyway, Costner is the one who has suffered, and he has said this isn’t what he wanted.
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B
Well said!!!
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B
What does Rip mean he's never left Montana?
All those trips to the Wyoming train station don't count now?
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Rip told Beth up on the roof of the Yellowstone main house that he drove to North Dakota to scatter his father's bones after he paid $5,000 to have them dug up. Therefore, he has been out of Montana more than once! Taylor Sheridan can't remember his own script writing!
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G
If you're a true fan of Yellowstone ..and watched it many times, the flashbacks aren't confusing.
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C
At least some of us know what's going on. This totally added to the episode. It's not rocket science......to some.
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O
Loved it. The first time I watched it the time jump caught me off guard. The second time I followed easily. It gave a before and after perspective. The Texas scenes show what they had to deal with in this new territory. First time Rip was out of Montana. Then Beth shows up and he's in a good place again. She was there for Rip and the after scenes he rushed back to Montana for her. I will miss this show. It's a complex story of love and hate, romance and violence, life and death.
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O
Horrible!!! No state funeral for the governor?? The back and forth timeline is ridiculous!! Give faithful viewers some cresit for how really smart they are. Disgraceful lack of dignity for even a bad governor!!! Stupid behavior of family for lack of grief!! shame on the writers.
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B
Very confusing because the "STAR" left and the writers didn't possess the skill to write around it and resorted to 'flashbacks' to cover their asses. Sad!
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B
I love everything about Yellowstone and I don't give a crap about Kevin Costner leaving the show! Good riddance of an arrogant actor that thinks he's done kind of.... Whatever. I always, from the beginning, felt that Dam Elliott it Billy Bob Thornton, would of done a stellar performance as John Dutton.
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OMG .. Meant Sam Elliot
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G
Its really messed up that they killed him off in the first episode. They could have let it ride for awhile.. i agree with all this jumping around very confusing.. Love the show just do better.
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O
Loving everything about Yellowstone. Sheridan is the best. It's not confusing, if you watch the show. Lots of shows have flashbacks. Keep up the good work Mr Sheridan
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C
It is sad that Jamie has lost the love of his one supporter. Kacey has stood by Jamie. This is going to be hard on him. I get so mad at Beth for blaming Jamie about a decision he made for her when they both where kids. After all she had made a poor decision to start with. Jamie is a bad boy thanks to Beth and she is a bad girl thanks to him. I miss John Dutton something awful and you can tell he is no longer in the directors chair.
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O
Confused watchers must be democrats. If you have issues with it don't watch. STOP whinning and complaining.
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C
Too confusing for me. Give us a hint that it’s a flashback of weeks prior to John Duttons death….
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G
It feels like they just pieced the script together to get it done. Not the way to end one of the best shows.
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O
I was very confused - not unlike the first episode last week! Most of the devoted fans already know that Beth & Rip are "hot in the sack" for each other & nothing changes that! But the jumping from "present to past" does make it hard to follow. I loved the scene with Beth confronting Jamie tho - can you say "evil eye"? Jamie was his old insecure-self when the "bitch" came into the scene with Market Equities dude! He's got major mental-health issues & still shows it! Love Beth's new Bentley BTW!!!
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B
Yellowstone is just a shitty soap opera plus cattle.
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R
Taylor Sheridan doesn’t know how to write a story line. That is why this is the last season of Yellowstone. If it had a better writer the show would be better. When will John Dutton be put to rest? Nothing is said about that.
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