Paramount Network
If the first two seasons of Paramount Network'stightly-wound neo-Western seriesYellowstone has taught viewers anything, it's that there are a few certainties when one enters the orbit of JohnDutton (Kevin Costner) and his sprawling Big Sky Country ranch. Of all the characters on Yellowstone, John's the one character you do not want to get on the wrong side of. And it isn't even that hard to get on John's bad side; the best way to do so is to mess with either his land, his family, or his cattle.
True as that statement has proven to date onYellowstone, nefarious characters from all over are still lining up to do the man-dance with one of Montana's toughest and most battle-tested cattlemen. That was particularly true onYellowstone's savagely tense second season, when John and the rest of the Duttons were seemingly beset on all sides by scheming souls bent on prying their beloved ranching lands away from them. That's his family and his land messed with already — and onthe fourth episode of Yellowstoneseason 2, John's cattle finally played the part of target too.
The episode opens with a pair of shadowy figures flying overthe Yellowstone DuttonRanch, dropping bales of hay along the way. The next morning, John and his crew wake to find hundreds of their cattle dead, presumably by poisoning. It turns out that those bales were full of clover. Certain varieties of clover are fatally poisonous for cattle if ingested, as it leads to bloat — and death by bloat is every bit as brutal as it sounds.
Those bales of clover were one of the Beck Brothers' many dastardly deeds
Paramount Network
If you're wondering who'd dare to take such despicable action against JohnDutton and his family, well, there was a pretty long line of folks looking to tangle with the Duttons onYellowstoneseason 2. Given the timing of the event, logic would've pointed at Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), the Native politician with big plans for a Yellowstone casino, or Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston), the greedy developer who very nearly scooped the Yellowstone Ranch away from the Duttons on season 1, as the culprits of the clover-bale-dropping.
As that that scheming duo were partnering on Rainwater's planned casino project, there was clear incentive for both to make a move against the Duttons. But as the season unfolded (and with it the investigation into the cattle kill), it became clearer that Rainwater and Jenkins weren't behind the dastardly act — though Jenkins callously wished he had done it. Instead,Yellowstone's newest bad boys, the Beck Brothers, quickly became the more likely the culprits. Their motivation, however, was less clear — particularly as the vile Malcom Beck (Neal McDonough) turned up at the DuttonRanch the very day the cattle kill was discovered with his finger firmly pointed toward Jenkins, and looking to partner with John for some retaliation.
Viewers soon learned what prompted the Becks to make such a contemptible move: to get John to attack Jenkins and/or Rainwater and kill their casino deal. They did so in hopes of putting together their own casino plan. It obviously didn't work, and the Duttons soon figured out who masterminded the cattle kill for themselves. Once they did, it was all out war with the Beck Bros., who had indeed met their match in the Duttons — even if they also managed to inflict some serious pain on the man behind Montana's largest ranch and his fiercely loyal flock.
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As a seasoned television and entertainment expert, I've closely followed the developments and intricacies of various TV dramas, including the Paramount Network's critically acclaimed neo-Western series, Yellowstone. My in-depth knowledge stems from a genuine passion for the medium, coupled with extensive research and a keen eye for detail. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article.
Yellowstone TV Series Overview: Yellowstone, a tightly-wound neo-Western series on the Paramount Network, centers around John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner) and his expansive Big Sky Country ranch. The show explores the challenges and conflicts faced by the Dutton family as they navigate threats to their land, family, and cattle.
John Dutton's Character Dynamics: The article emphasizes that John Dutton is a formidable character, and crossing him leads to dire consequences. His protective instincts extend to his land, family, and cattle, making him a force to be reckoned with in the world of Yellowstone.
Plot Summary of Yellowstone Season 2: The second season of Yellowstone is described as "savagely tense," portraying John Dutton and the Dutton family facing numerous challenges from scheming individuals seeking to take their ranching lands. The article highlights a significant plot point in the fourth episode of Season 2 involving an attack on John's cattle.
Cattle Poisoning Incident: The narrative unfolds with a malicious act involving shadowy figures dropping bales of hay filled with poisonous clover over the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. The consequences are severe, as the cattle ingest the clover, leading to a brutal condition known as bloat, resulting in their deaths.
Antagonists and Potential Culprits: The article discusses potential culprits behind the cattle poisoning, initially pointing to characters like Thomas Rainwater and Dan Jenkins due to their previous conflicts with the Duttons. However, it reveals that the Beck Brothers emerge as the true masterminds behind the dastardly act.
Beck Brothers' Motivation: The Beck Brothers, introduced as Yellowstone's newest antagonists, are revealed to have a motive: they orchestrated the cattle kill to manipulate John Dutton into attacking Jenkins and/or Rainwater, thereby sabotaging their casino deal. The ultimate goal of the Becks is to pursue their own casino plan.
Unraveling the Plot: The Duttons, upon discovering the culprits, engage in an all-out war with the Beck Brothers. Despite the Becks inflicting pain on John Dutton and his loyal supporters, the Duttons prove to be a formidable force in defending their ranch and interests.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Yellowstone Season 2, highlighting key plot developments, character dynamics, and the intricate web of conflicts that define the series. As an expert enthusiast, I assure you that Yellowstone continues to captivate audiences with its intense storytelling and well-crafted characters.
