The fifth episode of Yellowstone's fifth season, "Watch 'Em Ride Away," presents a narrative pause after the momentum built in the previous installments. The episode, while relatively focused, takes a step back from the major conflicts of the season, choosing instead to set the stage for future developments. This is primarily a setup episode, gathering the Dutton family at the ranch for the final leg of this half-season, and while it does this competently, it leaves viewers waiting for the promised escalation of tensions.
The episode is bookended by two scenes that take place decades apart but share a setting: an early morning on the ranch as John and the ranch hands prepare for the spring gathering of cattle. This tradition is presented as a way for John to escape the constant politicking of his role as governor and to reconnect with his roots. The branding serves a political purpose as well, as it exposes the state to the lifestyle that the Duttons are working hard to preserve. John's dialogue with Rip highlights the importance of this tradition and the need to remind people of the life they are fighting to keep alive.
For Kayce, Monica, and Tate, the week at the ranch is a break from their recent suffering and a chance to begin moving on. Beth's exclusion from these traditions motivates her to join the gathering, and her integration into the ranch drama is a welcome development. However, the episode's focus on Summer Higgins detracts from the potential of these storylines.
Summer's character becomes the main focus of this episode, and her portrayal as an out-of-touch, city-dwelling progressive is both unlikable and unproductive. Her dialogue is often irritating, and her interactions with the ranch hands and the Duttons are filled with contempt. The writing reduces her to a caricature, making it difficult for viewers to invest in her character or her storyline.
The episode's central conflict revolves around Summer's presence at the ranch and her repeated clashes with the family's values. Her interaction with Carter is condescending, and her refusal to participate in the spring gathering is met with frustration from John. The family dinner scene, where Summer's shock and outrage at the various meats served is met with laughter from Monica, is a highlight of the episode. However, the subsequent fight between Beth and Summer feels like an overdone trope, and Summer's ultimate submission to Beth's dominance is predictable.
The episode ends with a temporary resolution to Beth's crusade against Summer, but it's a resolution that feels forced. Summer's character is asked to compromise her values while John's character remains static, which is frustrating given the potential for growth and change that her storyline could have offered. The episode's final scenes suggest that Summer's character will continue to evolve, but it's unclear how this will impact the overall narrative.
In conclusion, "Watch 'Em Ride Away" is a stalled episode in Yellowstone's fifth season. While it sets the stage for future developments, it fails to deliver on the promise of escalating conflicts and character growth. The focus on Summer's character detracts from the more compelling storylines involving the Dutton family, and the episode's resolution feels like a missed opportunity for meaningful change. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the momentum lost in this episode will be regained and whether the characters will be allowed to evolve in a way that serves the narrative and keeps viewers engaged.