Yellowstone: The Best Episodes, Ranked

The Duttons have hooked viewers on Yellowstone since its first season. And it’s not hard to see why. Each episode is chock-full of unexpected turns, exciting development, and occasionally, even situations that make it tough to keep on looking at the screen. From the get-go, the audience sees Dutton go through a lot from losing a loved one to facing its consequences. Not only this, but the finale kept everyone on the edge of their seats as they went along with the journey to find the destinies of the remaining Duttons. The Duttons’ world is depicted in such a manner that it captures the reality that life is brutal and violence most of the time comes from loved ones. Yellowstone has given so many intense episodes that keep viewers engrossed in the drama, but one might ponder which ones stand out. To answer this question, here are all the best episodes of Yellowstone, ranked.

6, Daybreak (Season 1, Episode 1)

Pilots of every show are known to be what makes or breaks the entire series, as they are the reason why the show will get aired. “Daybreak” did a fantastic job as a pilot and helped the viewers ease into this neo-western setting. It introduces everyone to the Duttons and the tension that is building in their surroundings. The audience gets to meet them all from the Patriarch John, played by Kevin Costner, who is doing whatever he can to protect his family to all of his children who are trying to make the most out of their ranch. Not only the Duttons, but the audiences also meet other pivotal characters, like Chief Thomas Rainwater who orders his land back which is now a part of the Yellowstone Ranch.

What makes this episode one of the best is the way the audience is introduced to the tension in the air and the struggles this family is going through. However, it is done so beautifully that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Another reason being John’s eldest son, Lee, gets shot while protecting their land. This major and unpredictable death in the first episode catches the audience off guard and makes them realize this is no happy feel show, but rather one that will pull their heartstrings.

5, Blood the Boy (Season 2, Episode 6)

This episode is different from the rest as viewers see flashbacks that help them learn more about Jamie, played by Dalton Baker. Initially, audiences who may think differently about him soon understand that it was John who put him on the path of becoming someone that could further help them in protecting the ranch – a lawyer. It furthermore explains why Jamie is extremely desperate to undo the mess and pain he has inflicted by giving Sarah quotes about the ranch and his father. Yet, while trying to undo his mess, he makes it even worse and ends up killing her. The entire scene of how the atmosphere tightened up between Sarah and Jamie in an argument kept the audience on the edge of their seats. When he ends up strangling her while weeping that he is sorry, definitely made the audience let out gasps in shock.

4, Sins of the Father (Season 2, Episode 10)

When Tate, Kayce’s son, is abducted in the season two finale, the Dutton family turns vengeful. The family does whatever is necessary to get their boy back, which leads to several violent altercations and gruesome executions. This episode is a fan favorite because many of Dutton’s nemesis finally get what they deserve, and it feels fulfilling to see the way Terry Serpico’s Teal was assassinated while using the restroom. Not only this, but the way Tate is rescued is heartbreaking, and might make the audience shed a tear or few especially when he calls out for Kayce while feeling helpless.

3, Enemies by Monday (Season 2, Episode 9)

In this season two episode, the entire Dutton family will experience their fair share of trail and tribulations. Whether it is Rip, who will get his vengeance on the killers of his grandfather, or Jamie, who needs to make a challenging decision, in light of the impending arrival of his child which may affect both his and the child’s future. At the conclusion of the episode, just when things couldn’t get any worse, Tate is taken hostage, forcing the Duttons to scramble for a solution to bring him home. While the entire episode is what makes it on the list, one that plays a huge role has to be when Monica is accused of stealing, and she calls out the salesperson by saying, “You judged my skin.” This scene and dialogue are powerful enough to give the audience goosebumps while making them realize the sad reality of our world and the colorism that still prevails.

2, The World is Purple (Season 3, Episode 10)

“The World is Purple” helps the audience learn about the cracks in the Dutton family, especially from Jamie’s perspective. Even though his biological father slaughtered his mother when Jamie was a toddler, he starts getting to know him more than his loyalty to his adopted family starts to weaken. Audiences also see the family’s loyalty shaken when Jimmy is persuaded by Mia to continue his rodeo career despite promising John that he would never compete in that sport ever again after being gravely hurt. This episode makes the viewers question the bond of the family which they were trying to protect for three seasons.

One thing which made the audience scream at their screens was how the episode ended because three Duttons were ambushed. Kayce is attacked at work, Beth’s entire office explodes, and John gets shot multiple times, leading to the end credits rolling. This open-ended episode, makes the audience pull their hair out as they are left wondering about the fates of John, and his children.

1, Resurrection Day (Season 2, Episode 7)

This episode is a rollercoaster of emotions. While it is extremely dark and grim, it also provides amazing entertainment amidst it all. The audience gets a breath of fresh air when Rip and Beth enjoy a romantic moment together while drinking on the rooftop. However, this light atmosphere soon disintegrates into darkness when Jamie is seen battling with his demons and is on the verge of killing himself. This entire scene is heartbreaking and orchestrated beautifully to make the audience weep along with Jamie.

The moment that remains engraved in viewers’ minds has to be when Beth is attacked by men of Malcolm, who kill her assistant and kidnap her. This has to be one of the most brutal and gut-wrenching scenes of the entire scene, especially when Rip comes in to kill the men who attacked her. However, that is not all, as Beth is what makes this episode the best of the best. She handles assault as one might expect from her: heads on, crudely, and by giving one of the attackers a thrashing with an ashtray.