Scrolling for something new to watch on Hulu this week, August 2-8? Let me give you a hand with my picks for the best movies, TV shows and more arriving on the streaming service.

Hulu is adding a couple of new, high-profile TV series to its lineup this week, including the return of a fan-favorite animated series and a spinoff of a popular sports docuseries. Plus, some 2025 new movies make their arrival on streaming.

Check out all of the picks for this week directly below.

King of the Hill season 14

• Hank Hill returns with brand new episodes on August 4

It's been 15 years since King of the Hill, the classic Fox animated comedy, aired a new episode, but a brand new season of the show premieres exclusively on Hulu this week. Hank Hill returns, and while the times may have changed, he's looking to reconnect with old friends as he and Peggy return to Texas. This is the first of two already announced seasons of the animated show on Hulu.

Bob Trevino Likes It (2025)

• "Certified Fresh" indie movie starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo premieres on August 5

Though Bob Trevino Likes It may have slid under the radar of many, those that have seen the indie dramedy have loved it, as evidenced by the movie's 95% "Certified Fresh" score from critics and 98% positive score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Ferreira stars as a young woman who befriends a man online who shares the name of her father, forming a surprising but heartwarming connection.

The Monkey (2025)

• Horror comedy begins streaming on Hulu August 7

2025 has been a big year for Stephen King, as The Life of Chuck, The Institute and soon The Long Walk have all been adapted for the screen. But my personal favorite from these King offerings so far this year is the absurdly fun The Monkey. Theo James stars as twins whose lives have been tormented for years by a toy monkey that has been a part of a number of surprising deaths over the years. When the monkey resurfaces, they have to figure out how to stop it before someone else they love dies. If you're a fan of outrageous, gory deaths, then this will be a must-watch.

Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil

• True crime docuseries centered around notorious serial killer lands on August 7

The crimes of Ted Bundy have been well documented, but did you know that after he was arrested he assisted in an investigation into another murderer? That is the focus on Ted Bundy: Dialogue with the Devil, as it recounts Bundy's work with Detective Robert Keppel looking for the Green River Killer. The docuseries features never-before-heard-tapes that give a rare insight into the mind of Ted Bundy.

FX's Necaxa

• The Welcome to Wrexham sibling show premieres on August 8

Welcome to Wrexham has documented one of the most incredible stories in sports the last few years, as actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (nee McElhenney) have buoyed the Wrexham team and town. But can lightning strike twice?

That's the question in FX's Necaxa, where Reynolds and Mac offer their support to Eva Longoria as she helps a recently relocated Mexican soccer club and tries to lift if to success.

Shanghai Noon (2000)

• Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson comedy rides to Hulu on August 8

As Shanghai Noon, the classic western comedy starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, you'll be able to stream in on Hulu starting this week. Shanghai Noon is a great blend of the martial arts, western and comedy genres, with Chan and Wilson having great chemistry. The sequel, Shanghai Knights, also lands on Hulu this week, though if you're picking between the two, go with the original.

Ari Aster is known for dealing in the surreal, whether it be a cursed family in Hereditary, a bonkers cultural rite in Midsommar, or however you want to describe Beau Is Afraid. In Eddington, Aster takes it to the surreal time of May 2020, when pandemic lockdowns and racial justice battles combined to create a hectic summer.

Set in the fictional town of Eddington, N.M., the movie follows county sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and his battle with the mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), over what is the right way to lead their town amidst the turbulent times of early pandemic, where any act can be made to look politically motivated and blown out of proportion.

The movie takes some of the classic Western ideas and turns them on their head for this modern story. For most of the movie, it works to create a gripping, off-kilter take on the western genre that has its fair share of things to say about the issues of today. Though it does become too big for its britches, especially in the third act, overall Aster’s ambitious filmmaking pays off enough for a successful endeavor.

The big idea at the center of Eddington that Aster appears to be getting across is that certain individuals will attempt to hijack positions and ideals for their own benefit, playing into the extremes on both sides. This is present in Joe as he embraces conspiracy theories as he runs for mayor against Ted, but also in the characters like Eric (Matt Gomez Hidaka) and Brian (Cameron Mann), who get involved in protests as they pursue a girl, then later switch ideals when the other side better suits them.

While this idea remains throughout the movie, the thread starts to get lost when the focus of the plot turns to something else beyond the political battle between Joe and Ted, instead opting for a bigger, more action-packed third act. Bigger is not always better, especially in this case. All that contributes to a run-time that nears the two-and-a-half-hour mark, which is hard for the movie to sustain.

Where Eddington is at its best is the standoffs between Phoenix and Pascal’s characters. Though rather than having a shootout at dawn, phones are often the weapon of choice in Eddington (guns do get drawn eventually, though). Aster is clear that what we share and read on our devices can be damaging and dangerous in their own unique way.

Considering their star power, it may seem odd that I haven’t mentioned either Emma Stone or Austin Butler yet, but that’s because their impact on the story is minimal. While some backstory surrounding Stone’s character Louise is a motivating factor between the rivalry between Joe and Ted, we don’t get enough of her interacting with everyone else to feel her true weight on the story. Then Butler is basically here for a cameo in one of the stranger scenes in the movie. I won’t judge either of their performances because there isn’t really enough to go on as they’re here for a minute and then basically non factors.

Aster is not interested in a John Wayne-type hero riding into town and saving Eddington. Instead he chooses to investigate the fallacies and dangers of both extremes and how they can be manipulated. It mostly works and is done in a smart and even at times humorous way. Where the movie struggles is not knowing when to rein itself in. I wouldn’t put Eddington ahead of Midsommar of Hereditary in the lineup of Aster’s work, but it’s another big swing from the director that is worth a watch.

Eddington is now playing in US movie theaters; releases in the UK on August 22.

What happens when James Bond and Nick Fury head to the Old West? We don’t know, but we’re going to find out with The Unholy Trinity, a 2025 new movie western that stars Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson.

Usually, a movie with big names like those would be getting a major spotlight, but The Unholy Trinity is flying a little more under the radar. So we’ve got what you need to know about the movie’s release plans and more in one place for you right here.

Let’s dig into all you need to know about The Unholy Trinity.

The Unholy Trinity release date

The Unholy Trinity is available to watch at home via digital on-demand platforms.

The Unholy Trinity cast

Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson are leading the way for The Unholy Trinity. In addition to their iconic franchises (Bond for Brosnan, the MCU for Jackson), both have western experience. For Brosnan, he’s starred in the movie Seraphim Falls and the TV series The Son, while Jackson starred in Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight.

The other main player in the movie is Brandon Lessard. Lessard is a newer name, though his most notable credit is Murderer at Yellowstone City, which became a mini-hit on Netflix in the spring.

Also in the cast are Veronica Ferres (Hector and the Search for Happiness), Gianni Capaldi (Damaged), Q’orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone), Tim Daly (Madame Secretary), Ethan Peck (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Katrina Bowden (Old Dads) and David Arquette (Scream).

The Unholy Trinity plot

Written by Lee Zachariah, here is the official plot synopsis:

“A tale of revenge, dark secrets and buried treasure, the film is set against the turbulent backdrop of 1870s Montana. It picks up in the moments before the execution of Isaac Broadway, as he gives his estranged son, Henry, an impossible task: murder the man who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. Intent on fulfilling his promise, Henry travels to the remote town of Trinity, where an unexpected turn of events traps him in town and leaves him caught between Gabriel Dove, the town’s upstanding new sheriff, and a mysterious figure named St. Christopher.”

The Unholy Trinity trailer

Watch the trailer for The Unholy Trinity right here:

The Unholy Trinity director

Richard Gray is the director of The Unholy Trinity. His most notable credit to date is Murder at Yellowstone City, but here is a look at his entire filmography thus far:

• Summer Coda (2010)
• Mine Games (2012)
• Blinder (2013)
• The Lookalike (2014)
• Sugar Mountain (2016)
• Broken Ghost (2017)
• Robert the Bruce (2019)
• Murder at Yellowstone City (2022)

The Unholy Trinity behind the scenes

High Five Films, in association with Amadeus Productions, are the production companies behind The Unholy Trinity, while Saban Films and Roadside Attractions are handling the movie’s distribution. The movie’s producers are Jeanne Allgood, Kellie Brooks, Michele Gray and Richard Grey.

After nine eventful episodes spent getting to know various residents of the scenic small town that is Ransom, Texas, we've come to the end — of Ransom Canyon season 1, that is.

Right now, Netflix hasn't officially announced a Ransom canyon season 2 pick-up, but there are eight novels in the Jodi Thomas book series on which the show is based, so there's plenty of source material that could be adapted into a sophomore season.

And given the shocking events of the Ransom Canyon season 1 ending, there are still plenty of questions we'd want answered. Will Quinn (Minka Kelly) actually head off to New York to play with the Philharmonic, leaving Staten (Josh Duhamel) behind after their romance only just started? What will happen between Yancy (Jack Schumacher) and Ellie (Marianly Tejada), especially after that arrival of a surprise spouse. And will Lucas (Garrett Wareing) stay in Ransom with high school love Lauren (Lizzy Greene) or leave it all behind for one of his prestigious Ivy League acceptances?

But before we get ahead of ourselves, here’s everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 10, entitled “Maybe It’s Time Yancy Grey Dies Too."

Justice served

The episode begins with a quick catch-up with some of the main characters. We see Lauren in a sling for her injured shoulder, effectively ending her cheerleading career. Blaming Lucas — who got Kit (Casey W. Johnson) to sign those emancipation papers, protecting him from being sent to foster care — for distracting her during the pep rally and causing her to fall, Lauren won't talk to him.

Lucas confronts her at the memorial for Cap (James Brolin) and promises her that no matter if there's no UT and no scholarship in her future, he's going to be there for her. Though Lauren worries that things are getting too serious between them, Lucas gets a push from Reid (Andrew Liner) of all people to declare his love for her, which he does from the dance-hall stage in front of a whole party of people. They reconcile and kiss to cheers.

Lauren also reconciles herself with the fact that her mother Margaret (Sarah Minnich) was the one who caused Randall's car crash, killing the teen boy. She tells her dad (Philip Winchester) they can't let Kit keep sitting in that cell for a crime he didn't commit. Taking that to heart, Sheriff Dan goes to Austin with back-up to arrest his wife Margaret, with tears in his eyes as he does it.

Returning home, Dan and his daughter mourn the arrest of Margaret, while a newly freed Kit joyfully reunites with Lucas at the trailer home. However, just moments prior, Lucas was looking through all of his college letters — is he not going to remain in Texas after all?

Plans made

At the dance hall, Quinn gets a concerning piece of mail from Austin Water & Power's lawyers — they're threatening legal action if they don't recoup the early-stage investment they gave her, which means she owes them a whopping $80,000. Staten offers to lend her the money, but she says she'll find a way to pay it herself.

Given that things are moving smoothly with Staten, Quinn finally sets a meet-up with Davis to break things off. He handles it surprisingly well — so much so that she wishes he'd be a jerk about it to make things easier. He tells her he's always known that her heart really lies with Staten. He wants her to be happy and asks if she's still planning on going to New York for the Philharmonic seat? She hasn't decided. Before he leaves, he asks if it was ever real between them — she tearfully assures him that it was.

After an uncomfortable conversation with Sam (Brett Cullen), Quinn realizes she'd rather see Gracie's close than keep playing Austin Water & Power's game. She tells Staten maybe it's time to move on, and comes clean about the NY Phil offer, which would be a six-month gig. Unsurprisingly, State is upset, thinking Quinn just wanted a little fling before she planned to leave him high and dry for the big city. She cuts the conversation short and says she just wants to go to bed.

However, later at the dance hall, Quinn tells Ellie she's going to go to New York and take the Philharmonic gig to get the money they need to keep Gracie's open. She also wants Ellie to officially come on as her business partner.

They throw a big dance party at the Gracie's that night to celebrate, with everybody in attendance, including both Davis and Staten. Still smarting over his dumping, Davis says harsh words about Staten's late wife, prompting the latter to punch him — which is just what Davis and Sam want, to use the physical altercation as proof that Staten is unfit to be the trustee of Double K ranch.

Quinn is furious that he would get violent in her bar — she says all she ever wanted was him, but all he ever wants is his own pain. He exits, leaving behind the straw bracelet that Quinn had given him.

The last we see of Quinn, she is contemplative at her piano, while Staten rides his horse alone above the canyon.

Promises broken

Ellie is very much in mourning following Cap's death. Meanwhile, Yancy has been preparing for the memorial that they're hosting in Cap's honor at the Fuller ranch, which he will be selling to Austin Water & Power like his grandfather wanted, though he plans to give every cent of the sale to Ellie and Ruth. However, at the memorial, Ellie reveals she doesn't want him to sell the land; she wants him to do the right thing.

After an emotional conversation with Staten at the memorial — during which Staten reveals to Yancy that Cap spent years looking for him and his mother and wanted to make things right between them all but never got the chance — Yancy tells Ellie he's not going to sell the place after all. Just like Cap, he's going to run the ranch until they bury him on it.

He also surprises her by proposing, having gotten Ruth's engagement ring to give to her. She's ambivalent because it's so soon in their relationship but he's asking her to take the leap — he has the chapel, the priest and the suit ready to go, she just has to meet him there that night.

At the dance hall, she tells a jealous Kai (Justin Johnson Cortez) she's going to marry Yancy. White gown in hand, she's planning to leave and meet Yancy at the chapel when she's stopped by a woman who is looking for him. Who is she, Ellie asks. Only Yancy's wife!

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

We're officially at the penultimate edition of Ransom Canyon. It's certainly been a busy season thus far, with family secrets, romantic entanglements, business schemes and more — and it's looking like Ransom Canyon episode 9 ("About Forever") is no exception.

Yancy (Jack Schumacher) has to deal with the fallout of his identity reveal to Cap (James Brolin); Quinn (Minka Kelly) is faced with choosing between her feelings for Staten (Duhamel) and a tempting offer elsewhere; and the case against Kit (Casey W. Johnson) takes a shocking new turn.

Here’s everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 9.

All's fair in love

After last episode's cliffhanger, we quickly pick up with Quinn... who has again spent the evening with Staten. The two are basically in honeymoon mode, however Staten urges her to break up with Davis (Eoin Macken) so they can be together for real. She wants to be kind though, knowing they're doing a crappy thing being together behind Davis's back. Before they part, they both tie some straw around their wrists as a sort of promise bracelet.

Quinn does try to break things off with Davis, but when he unexpectedly shows up to their date with Reid (Andrew Liner) in tow, she couches it for later. However, Davis does take note of the odd bracelet around her wrist.

Later, Quinn gets an unexpected surprise at the dance hall: it's Katherine Bullock (Kate Burton) from the New York Philharmonic, dropping in to follow up on that piano audition. Quinn gets emotional taking about why she's returned to Ransom from New York — and how quickly she's fallen in love with Staten again — but Kate reminds her she needs to live for herself. Kate has Quinn perform the audition piece right there in the dance hall and tells her the orchestra seat is hers if she wants it.

And war, too

Back at Double K, Staten gets an unwelcome visit from his father Sam (Brett Cullen), who is angry that Davis is trying to poach their biggest buyers right from under their nose after Staten has raised the ranch's prices to go solar. It's a six-figure loss, but Staten argues his grandfather made him the trustee, not Sam, so it's his decision how the place operates. However, Sam warns him that a trustee can be unseated, and all of this can easily go to Austin Water & Power.

Staten heads over to the Collins ranch to confront Davis about taking his accounts. He also reminds his rival what he'll be losing if he sells all of his family's land to Austin Water & Power. They've made it too easy for the bureaucrats to pit their ranches against each other, he says, and instead of continuing their feud, he suggests they join forces. Both of their legacies benefit Reid, but he won't be able to carry that family tradition unless they lay down their swords. It's a convincing speech as Davis begrudgingly accepts.

However, Davis walks back on that kumbaya collaboration when he spots a straw bracelet around Staten's wrist, matching the one Quinn was wearing. In retaliation, he takes out Staten's biggest buyer Billy (Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons and the real-life partner of Minka Kelly) and tries to confirm a deal with him during that night's pep rally.

Except Staten catches wind of this and shows up to the pep rally for some cross-bargaining. Davis has a better offer, Billy claims, and Staten is about to announce the reality of Davis's financial situation — what Quinn has spilled about earlier — but he remembers the promise he made her. That doesn't stop him from declaring war against Davis.

Crack the case

The DA is ready to file charges against Kit, but Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester) is worried Lucas was right, that the Russell boy is simply covering for someone else.

Speaking of Lucas, he has his own issues. For one, he gets into a fight with Lauren (Lizzy Greene) because she's still spiraling over the cheer clinic snafu, plus Child Protective Services are looking for him. However, he gets some help with the latter courtesy of Reid, who asks Davis to call in a favor and have emancipation papers drawn up for Lucas so he won't have to worry about being put in foster care if Kit does end up having to serve time. "It's what Randall would've done," Reid movingly tells him.

As for the business with Lauren, Lucas apologizes for being harsh to her about her situation and they make up. The young couple even gets the blessing of Lauren's dad, who also tells her that he pulled some strings with the UT reps to get her a second chance at auditioning. However, while performing during the pep rally, Lauren takes a hard fall off the human pyramid and badly injures her shoulder — is her cheerleading future officially over?

That's not the only shock for the Brigman family. The sheriff has a realization while going through Kit's case — he goes to talk to Lauren's mom Margaret (Sarah Minnich), who we find out had a romantic fling with Kit two years ago. He has a gut feeling she was with him the night that Randall died and tells her he needs to know what happened.

Via flashback, we see it was actually Margaret who was behind the wheel that night, and under the influence. She's shaken after the crash and Kit, after confirming that Randall has died in the accident, tells her he will take care of disposing of the evidence. Dan is left stunned, and Margaret is panicked about what he's gonna do.

Later, she shows up to the Brigman residence and begs him not to arrest her, but Lauren overhears. Is her dad going to send her mom to jail?

Pour one out

Since getting kicked out of Cap's, Yancy has been staying with Ellie (Marianly Tejada), giving her an envelope of cash to earn his keep. She assures him he can stay as long as he wants — she just doesn't want him to run away like he usually does. However, after a heated conversation with Davis, in which the latter suggests that Eillie would be much better off without him, Yancy hits the road.

He eventually returns, though, and while Ellie is pissed he was planning to take off without even leaving a note behind, he surprises her by telling her that he loves her. All is forgiven, but Ellie also surprises him with the news that Cap stood her up on their lunch date. Yancy gets worried when he hears that because Cap wouldn't do that to Ellie, so they take off in the car to find him.

Cap had gone out on horseback through the countryside, but when his horse returns that night sans rider, Yancy takes off for the hills to find his grandfather. Hours later, he finds Cap peacefully sitting beneath a tree — however Yancy tearfully realizes that the old man is dead. Proving that Cap did, in fact, care about him, the elder Fuller died clutching that photo booth strip of Yancy's parents. The younger Fuller sits with him and weeps. Rest well, Cap.

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

The storm may have officially settled in Ransom, but there's still plenty of melodrama surging through Ransom Canyon episode 8.

In "The Bad Seed", a suspect finally gets carted off in handcuffs for the car accident that tragically killed Staten's (Josh Duhamel) son. There's also a healthy amount of family dysfunction on display — not only between Davis (Eoin Macken), Paula Jo (Meta Golding) and Reid (Andrew Liner), but also Yancy (Jack Schumacher) and his secret grandpa Cap (James Brolin) — as well as romantic to-dos between Staten and Quinn (Minka Kelly).

Here’s everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 8.

Doing time

Lucas (Garrett Wareing) has quite a rude wake-up call. After Reid's tip-off, the Ransom sheriff's department swarms into the trailer home to arrest Kit (Casey W. Johnson) for his involvement in Randall's car accident.

Lucas upset not only because Staten fired him due to the arrest — which will make it impossible for him to make bail for his brother — but also because Kit isn't putting up much of a fight in his own defense. (When the sheriff interrogates the older Russell about what happened that night, Kit agrees to a full confession to have his sentence decreased, but Sheriff Dan still feels like he's withholding key details from him.) Adding extra worry is the fact that Lucas, who is still a minor, will be put into the foster care system if Kit doesn't get out of jail.

Lucas proposes to Kit that he'll take the fall for him. He's younger, his record is clean; a jail sentence will be less of a life-ruining thing for him. But Kit wants Lucas to get out of that small town and make a life for himself.

Things slightly look up for Lucas when he gets more insights from Reid (Andrew Liner) into what happened with that blue Ford pick-up. He and Tim (Niko Guardado) got into some trouble over the summer when they bought molly off a guy in Bandera, who then tried to shake them down. Kit was there that night and got the boys out of the jam — they owed him a big one.

So when a couple of months had gone by and Kit called them to take a Ford truck out to Bandera to scrub the VIN and then dispose of it, that's what they did. Reid didn't know that was the truck until Sheriff Dan had told him later. He wishes things were different, he assures Lucas, who gives him a beer as an olive branch.

Daddy issues

Things have settled down post-storm for Yancy and Ellie (Marianly Tejada), but the latter still demands he tell Cap the truth about who he really is. If Cap doesn't accept him as family, at least he can walk away with his head high, knowing he did the right thing, Ellie says.

Yancy plans to tell Cap, even informing Davis he is prepared to reveal his true identity (though not Davis' involvement in the ranch scheme). However, when he tries to come clean to Cap when they're fishing by the creek, he chokes. He thought not having a home or family was the worst that could happen to him, but losing the family he has now is harder. Ellie assures him his grandfather is just like him: gruff on the outside and soft on the inside.

However, before Yancy can tell Cap the truth, a scheming Davis does it for him. When Yancy returns to the Fuller ranch that evening, Cap is waiting for him with a gun and some harsh words — he says he'd rather sell the place to Austin Water & Power than to a liar like him. "You mean nothing to me," he growls. Yancy leaves heartbroken.

Good cheer

While Lucas is busy dealing with all of Kit's legal troubles, his girlfriend Lauren (Lizzy Greene) is trying to figure out a way to get to that UT cheer clinic. After getting injured in the storm last episode, Sheriff Dan refuses to sign her permission slip for the tryouts. However, even with a bum ankle, she manages to get to Austin to audition with her cheer buddies.

However, when it's her turn, she ends up royally messing up her flip. She's already upset when her estranged mother Margaret (Sarah Minnich) surprisingly shows up to the clinic — turns out it was Margaret who signed Lauren's permission slip.

Though mom assures Lauren she's recently gotten a job at a dress shop and is steadfastly attending AA meetings, her appearance just serves as a reminder that Lauren's audition failure just means she'll be stuck in small-town Texas like her mom was.

All too well

Good news for Lucas: after Jake (Tatanka Means) convinces Staten he shouldn't have fired the boy for what his brother did, Staten rehires the young Russell, who has some good ideas about bringing in solar power to modernize the ranch.

While they're out planning in the fields, they catch sight of Austin Water & Power reps checking the salinity of Staten's wells. And just like Paula Jo (Meta Golding) plotted, the water samples come back brackish. When Staten is informed about the grandfathered well clause that's on the agenda for the upcoming town meeting, he realizes his water has been spiked and Paula Jo is trying to force him into selling the place. Lucas, however, has an idea.

Back at the Collins residence, Paula Jo is popping bottles of champagne in celebration that her plan worked, when Reid comes in asking about why the Collins and Kirkland clans hate each other so much. It's a generational feud, she explains, with each side thinking they're the hero of the story. He's heard the men's hero stories, she tells him — it's time he's heard hers.

Later, at the town meeting, Paula Jo, Davis and the rest are ready to vote on the well clause. However, Reid interrupts saying he wants to make a statement — during which he plays a taped confession of his mother admitting to spiking the salinity of the Double K wells, a double-crossing set up by Lucas. Paula Jo is left humiliated, and Davis is furious at his son: "You just let a damn Kirkland work you over." But Staten is proud of his nephew and tells him it was the right thing to do.

Back at home, Paula Jo is weeping in the shower. Davis comes in to comfort her and, after a moment's hesitation about his relationship with Quinn, gives into his ex.

Getting real

Speaking of Quinn, she's had a lot of distractions lately — in the form of Staten and Davis — which has led her to drop the ball work-wise. Ellie has been hiring staff, doing repairs and dealing with storm insurance without her. hen Quinn criticizes her for overstepping, Ellie snaps that if Quinn didn't want her to step up post-tornado, she should have been there herself. Quinn tearfully apologizes and Ellie tells her to take the day off to get her head straight.

But these damn cowboys won't let her. When Staten wants to talk about what happened between them, Quinn immediately rushes to the conclusion he regrets sleeping with her; she says it was just a blip for the both of them. He, however, proclaims she knows exactly how he feels about her, and she can keep pretending all she wants, but they did happen.

When Davis drops by the dance hall, he acknowledges she's been standoffish the past few days, thinking it's because of Paula Jo's pipeline plan and her threatening the Gracie's liquor license. He assures her he's had no hand in Paula Jo's schemes, but Quinn still says she needs some time and space to think.

After all that thinking, the final moments of the episode sees Quinn grab her keys and drive to... where exactly? We see a door being opened and her offering the owner a loving greeting, but who is she visiting?

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

A dangerous tornado whirls into town in Ransom Canyon episode 7, “By the Grace of God” — and there’s plenty of drama and surprises blowing in alongside the stormy weather.

With the residents of Ransom forced to shelter in place during the emergency, we see several unexpected tornado twosomes forming… including some much-anticipated movement in the will-they-won’t-they connection between Staten (Josh Duhamel) and Quinn (Minka Kelly). We also get some shocking new details about Randall’s car accident — and who else might’ve been out there that night.

Here’s everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 7.

Reid’s regrets

We kick off the episode with Reid (Andrew Liner) swimming at home, intercut with flashbacks of that Ford pick-up being rescued from the bottom of a lake. As the sheriff told Staten, the truck matches the fender piece found at the crash site earlier in the season. The VIN was scrubbed in what looks like a pro job before the vehicle got dumped, but it’s under the Bandera jurisdiction now.

When Reid comes inside, Davis (Eoin Macken) asks him why the sheriff requested an off-the-record conversation with the two of them that afternoon? Reid doesn’t have an answer for him and, frankly, Davis probably doesn’t want to really know.

The Collins men head to meet with Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester). Davis tries to paint the conversation as if they’re merely there to admonish Reid for underage drinking, but the sheriff questions where Reid was the night his cousin died. Davis is angry he's interrogating them about such a painful time for their family, but Reid starts talking.

That night, he and Tim (Niko Guardado) were shooting bottles out in the countryside and waiting on Randall to join them. When it was clear Randall wasn’t coming, he says the boys went home and played video games until they got the call about the crash.

Sheriff Dan asks why Reid initially told him he was with Lauren that night, but Davis stops things before his son can respond. He wants Paula Jo, who's a lawyer, involved. The sheriff agrees that’s a good idea since he has security footage of Reid leaving a truck the exact make and model as the one they just pulled out of the lake.

They’re interrupted by emergency alerts, but we get more of Reid’s haunting flashbacks as the episode goes. We see him getting a call from an unknown caller and telling Tim, “Change of plans” before they race off in the truck. Reid later takes the blue Ford truck from a garage and tells Tim they have to dump it. It’s clear these memories are paining the teen, as Lucas (Garrett Wareing) clocks and tells Reid that the reason he's so upset is because ultimately he's a good person.

Yancy's redemption

At the dance hall, Ellie (Marianly Tejada) is being cold to Yancy (Jack Schumacher) — he asks her why she stood him up for dinner the night before and she unloads all of the intel she got from Freddie. She knows that Yancy stole from a farm he previously worked at in Tennessee, which landed him in jail for three years; she also knows that Cap (James Brolin) is his grandfather and he's trying to pull a job on grandpa.

Furious and heartbroken, Ellie says she's done with him, and she'll tell Cap everything she found out unless Yancy walks out the door once the storm passes and never returns. Panicked, Yancy tells Davis that Ellie knows the truth about him — however, she still doesn't know about Davis's involvement, much to his relief. Davis tells him to do exactly as Ellie said, to disappear once the weather calms.

However, that plan changes when the men run into Cap, who's been trying to get a hold of his wife Ruth at the assisted care facility. He's dead-set on driving out himself to rescue her, a stubbornness that prompts Davis to question why the old guy doesn't just sell his land and whisk Ruth off to Florida for retirement, where it's warm and not tornado-y. Cap proclaims that Davis is not a real rancher — Fuller will work on his ranch until the day he dies. When he's gone, the courts can decide what becomes of the land. Yes, to the fellas' shock, Cap doesn't have a will, which means his ranch will automatically go to his next of kin, i.e. Yancy.

Later, when Ellie is looking for Cap, they realize he and his truck are missing — he went to go get Ruth. Yancy is ready to set out into the storm after him, though Davis tries to argue there's no point getting himself killed out there after the old man. But as Cap is driving down the road near the facility, he sees a truck trying to get his attention — it's Yancy there to rescue him.

The next morning, when the storm is over, Ellie rushes down to High Plains Regional, where residents from the assisted living facility were transferred during the tornado. She finds both Cap and Ruth safe and well, thanks to Yancy, who she pulls into a big hug.

Quinn's realization

Before the storm touches down, Quinn desperately searches for her dog, Biscuit, when Staten pulls up with her — he found her out near the highway. He helps Quinn secure the rest of her animals and then the two are forced to take shelter at the house as the tornado gets closer.

She gets a call from Davis, who isn't all that jazzed to hear she and Staten are alone together. The latter also gets in some jibes at Davis's sake, prompting Quinn to get real about what's been going on between them. She calls Staten out for declaring his feelings to her at the rodeo and then sleeping with Paula Jo the very same night. He says his heart was broken, but she proclaims he has broken hers a hundred times over the years. He knows she's only pretending things are right with Davis; he doesn't make her laugh, he declares.

Later, the power goes out, but Quinn lights candles and Staten scrounges up some batteries for the radio. "Tonight, Tonight" by The Smashing Pumpkins starts playing, which brings them both back to high school. Via flashback, we see a young Staten go over to Quinn and his future bride Amalah (played by Reese Witherspoon's daughter Ava Phillippe) — he's there to ask Quinn to dance but Amalah thinks he's asking her, so she pulls him out onto the dancefloor.

Back in present-day, a loud thunderclap prompts Quinn to seek comfort in Staten's arms. Dancing slowly, he reveals he meant to ask her to dance all those years ago. After a season's worth of tension, the two characters finally kiss and get intimate.

Lauren's rescue

Prior to the tornado, Lauren (Lizzy Greene) has been at the dance hall getting new waitressing gig there. However, when Lucas rushes from his trailer home to find her at the height of the storm, he realizes they're two ships passing and she's now stuck at his house with his older brother Kit (Casey W. Johnson).

Though Lauren and Kit have a lot of animosity between them — he still doesn't approve of her relationship with his brother — she manages to convince him they should head to the high school to take shelter. But when he rushes to go help a pregnant neighbor into her car, a tree crashes through the window of Lauren's vehicle and injures her leg. Left without a mode of transportation, Kit pulls her out of the car, and they instead hunker down together back in the trailer.

Kit cares for Lauren's wounds, a skill he later reveals is a product of the domestic abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. He didn't tell anybody because he didn't want to risk him and Lucas getting put into the system. He's grateful that his old man never laid a hand on his younger brother thanks to Kit's interventions. The surprising duo shares a moment, bonding over their trauma and abandonment from their respective parents.

The next morning, they — and thankfully all of the characters — have managed to weather the storm and emerge safely. Lucas rushes over to help Lauren with her injuries and give an update to her father.

But that's not the last we see of Kit. As the episode ends, we see Reid finally realize he needs to come clean with Sheriff Dan about what happened on the night of Randall's death. We flash back to the accident and see that the mysterious figure at the wreck wasn't Reid after all, but Kit. He phones Reid and proclaims: "Time to make good on that favor." Surprise!

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

We are officially past the halfway mark for Ransom Canyon, the Netflix adaptation of Jodi Thomas's romantic Western novel series.

And Ransom Canyon episode 6, entitled "We Need to Talk About Reid", is certainly keeping the drama moving with romantic snafus, run-ins with law enforcements and reveals about what really happened during the car accident that shockingly claimed Randall Kirkland's (Hubert Smielecki) life.

Here's everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 6.

Red flags

Fresh off his rodeo win, Yancy (Jack Schumacher) wants to use his $20,000 cash prize to buy a new tractor for Cap (James Brolin), a thoughtful move that charms new girlfriend Ellie (Marianly Tejada). (As you might remember from the last episode, he didn't have to fork over the money to Freddie & Co. because they were arrested last-minute for cattle-stealing.)

Ellie is less charmed, however, during a drive when she unexpectedly sees Yancy arriving at the care facility where Ruth Fuller lives. She finds out from Kai (Justin Johnson Cortez) that a young man has been spending a lot of time with Ruth there, and that the guy is allegedly Ruth and Cap's grandson.

Believing Yancy is up to no good, Kai decides to run a background check on him, while Ellie takes the opportunity to poke around the ranch for clues. Yancy nearly catches her going through the bags and boxes in his room, but she plays it cool, and they hook up instead.

She does, however, call him out about the nursing-home sighting. "You make it really hard to trust you," she tells him. He lies and tells her he's been going to see Ruth because he felt bad that Cap doesn't visit her anymore, saying she reminds him of his own grandmother. He apologies but she can't shake the nagging feeling there's a lot he's not telling her. He asks her to have dinner with him tomorrow — he'll be an open book for her, he promises.

However, she cancels on him after that background check comes back, revealing that Yancy's criminal record has mysteriously been sealed. She knows he's not a good guy, she just needs to get some answers — which she'll seemingly get from Freddie (Kenneth Miller), who she goes to visit in jail.

Green envy

Much to the annoyance of Quinn (Minka Kelly) and the awkwardness of Staten (Josh Duhamel) — who drunkenly slept with Davis's ex the episode prior — Paula Jo (Meta Golding) is still sticking around town. Even worse, she wants to use Quinn's dance hall to conduct some pipeline business. In the process of setting up the meeting, Paula Jo spills about her vehicular rendezvous with Staten at the rodeo the night before.

In an excellent coincidence, both Staten and Davis (Eoin Macken) show up to the dance hall at the same time, with Paula Jo pulling them into a conversation about Reid (Andrew Liner) — he can't keep staying at Staten's, she argues. Things get snippy between the men until Davis lands a particularly low blow, saying Staten taking in his nephew isn't going to bring his dead son back. That causes Staten to storm out.

The next we see of Staten, he's being bailed out of jail by Quinn — he was seemingly all fired up from his argument with Davis and assaulted some guy for no reason. As she's dropping Staten off home, they discuss Reid and Randall, and their conversation grows wistful. "Maybe somethings are best left in the past, no matter how beautiful they are," she tells him.

Davis is upset that, out of all the people he knows, Staten called Quinn to bail him out; he admits he's jealous of their connection. In turn, Quinn admits to some jealousy over Paula Jo, not only because she spent the night with Staten but because she bullied her into hosting a pipeline meeting at the dance hall.

During said meeting with a city councilman and Texas water development board member, Paula Jo puts a plan into place to order salination tests on Staten's wells. When the results come back brackish — and they will, she promises — the council will call for a vote to end grandfathered wells in the county, meaning Staten will be forced to spend millions retrofitting every single well, which will fundamentally force him to take the pipeline deal.

Quinn, who overheard Paula Jo's dealing, confronts her about messing with Staten's business. She threatens to tell Staten about the plan, but Paula Jo says the city council is going to rezone the town square next month and she'll make sure the dance hall loses its liquor license in the process.

Staten shows up to Davis' house to drop off Reid's things. Davis surprises him by inviting him in for a drink and apologizes for what he said at the dance hall, even more so when he admits that Staten hooking up with Paula Jo bugs him. ("Good!" Staten jokes.) Staten tells his brother-in-law it's time to make peace with Reid — he doesn't want him to regret not mending their relationship, like Staten does with Randall.

Blue trucks

In the first moments of the episode, we see a flashback to the night that Randall died — a mysterious figure checks on the boy in his badly mangled car, then rushes back to their own truck and rush off. Is it Reid?

Speaking of, Lauren (Lizzy Greene) tells Lucas (Garrett Wareing) that she hasn't spoken to Reid since she broke up with him last episode; things aren't going smoothly between Lucas and Reid, either, who basically start fighting every time they see each other.

But at least things are finally good between the young couple — Lucas tells her that, instead of Yale, Brown or Vassar, he wants to attend the University of Texas next year to be close to her. His older brother Kit (Casey W. Johnson) warns Lizzie, though, that things won't pan out for the two of them. The longer their relationship goes on, the worse things will be for Lucas, he says.

Later, the couple is spending time down by the lake with a bunch of other teens. They peel off for a private moment and are set to go skinny-dipping together — as Lauren is getting undressed though, Lucas goes swimming first and realizes that something is down there in the water. It's a truck.

When law enforcement arrives, Lucas tells Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester) the pick-up he saw beneath the water's surface was blue. Staten arrives to the scene and realizes the vehicle is missing a bit of its fender, just like the piece he had found earlier in the season.

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

Set in the Texas Hill Country, it was only a matter of time before fans got a good rodeo episode from Ransom Canyon. And it's arrived with Ransom Canyon episode 5, entitled "I Love a Good Secret," which sees Yancy (Jack Schumacher) training for the big tri-county rodeo tournament to win the $20,000 that will get Freddie (Kenneth Miller) and his cronies off his back and out of Ransom.

Along with that adrenaline-pumping cowboy action, there's even more excitement coming to town when an old face from Davis' (Eoin Macken) romantic past pops up to complicate his burgeoning romance with Quinn (Minka Kelly). (As if that love triangle with Josh Duhamel's Staten wasn't complicated enough.) Add to that some concerning snooping by Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester) into the whereabouts of Reid (Andrew Liner) and Tim (Niko Guardado) on the night of Randall's death, and you've got a pretty packed episode.

Here's everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 5.

Wrangling the ex

Things are going smoothly for Quinn and Davis after their night together. He wants to take her on a romantic trip to New York, during which she can audition for that Philharmonic gig, but she wants to leave that part of her life behind her. From the dance hall to her soap line, things are going well for her now, she explains, and he's a part of that.

However, Quinn gets a rude awakening the next morning when Davis' fiery ex-wife, Paula Jo (Meta Golding), arrives. She's there to check up on what's going on with her son Reid — and insult Quinn in the process.

Though Quinn is initially worried about Paula Joe's reappearance, it seems the latter is in town on business, not pleasure: Austin Water & Power has apparently given her a seat on their board, she tells Davis. Since control isn't exactly her ex's strong suit, she says she's taking the pipeline negotiations into her own hands to secure Reid's financial future.

That means sidling up to Staten in the hopes he'll agree to the pipeline deal. She shows up at his house with tequila to thank him for taking in and supporting Reid — and makes suggestive nods to their own romantic past — before bringing up the issue of Quinn and Davis new relationship. Staten lies and says he doesn't really care about their relationship, though it's quite clear he does.

Odd couple

After bonding during the cattle drive last episode, Reid and Lucas (Garrett Wareing) are practically bosom buddies, watching old rodeo clips together and hanging out at school.

That does not go unnoticed by Lauren (Lizzy Greene), who complains to Lucas that it's weird for her to see the two of them acting chummy. He, on the other hand, is still upset she wants to hide their relationship from everyone and use Reid as a ruse. "He's a good guy who doesn't deserve this, and neither do I," he tells her.

For his part, Reid is busy fielding panicked texts from Tim that Sheriff Dan — who now believes someone ran Randall off the road that tragic night — asking questions about the car accident. When they run into the sheriff later, both boys offer up alibis for that evening: Tim was at home and Reid was with Lauren, they say.

Later, at the rodeo, Tim shows up (well, hobbles up — he's still on crutches) to confront Reid and plan what they're going to do about the sheriffs. Lucas overhears Tim and Reid talking but pretends not to. Lauren makes things worse by picking then and there to tell Reid that she's officially breaking it off between them. When he asks if the split is because of Lucas, she admits it is, which leads him to immediately storm over and punch his new buddy Lucas in the face.

One wild ride

Yancy has elected to compete in the All-Around, a particularly brutal competition that has Ellie (Marianly Tejada) worried. "Three days is not a lot of time" to train, she warns him. Adding to the stress of it all is Freddie breathing down his back about the money Yancy owes him. If he doesn't fork up the $20,000, "everybody in there is gonna find out who you really are," the criminal tells him.

The first round is a rough ride, with Ellie and Cap (James Brolin) watching worriedly from the stands, but Yancy does well and is right behind the score leader. Giving the cowboy an extra dose of good luck, Ellie gives him a big kiss between sets, which Kai spots — he tells her he has had suspicions about Yancy ever since Sheriff Dan picked him up from the side of the road. She says she was skeptical, too, but she was wrong, and so is he.

Yancy does well in round two, until Freddie tells him that he'll actually make more than $20,000 if he bets against him and Yancy purposefully gets bucked off the bull. Yancy doesn't want to throw the competition but if he doesn't, Freddie threatens that he'll kidnap Ellie next.

In the last run, he chooses not to throw the tournament and ends up winning the All-Around, getting the $20,000. However, right when Freddie comes up angry that he lost out on all of the money he could have made, Kai and the other sheriffs come and arrest Freddie — Cap identifies Freddie as the Angus dealer who sold him Staten's cattle, and he's taken away in handcuffs.

While being hauled off, though, Freddie tells Ellie that she fell for a con man and that she doesn't even know Yancy's real name. Uh-oh.

Elsewhere at the rodeo, Davis assures Quinn that whatever happened with Paula Jo in the past is in the past. "That ended before you and me, and that's how it's going to stay," he promises her.

However, there's still Staten to deal with. Seeing Quinn with Davis clearly hasn't been easy on him. During a private moment at the rodeo, he finally comes clean about his feelings for the dance hall owner. He knows he's broken and still grieving, "but if someday I'm not, it'll be because of you," he tells her, saying that she should be with him instead of Davis. In tears, she tells him it's too late and rushes off.

Soothing his sorrows with drink later, Staten later encounters a tempting Paula Jo — and the episode ends with the two of them getting intimate in a car in the rodeo parking lot. Double uh-oh.

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

Shocking secrets are revealed, surprising bonds are formed and romantic feelings are acted upon in Ransom Canyon episode 4. But first, there are cows to deal.

Things kick off with some mysterious men with wire clippers freeing some cattle from their pens in the dark of night. The next morning, one said cow makes its way into Quinn's (Minka Kelly) barn — she notices based on the branding that it's one of Staten's (Josh Duhamel).

After Staten comes to collect Reba (the cow, not the country music icon), he immediately rushes to the Collins ranch thinking that Davis (Eoin Macken) was being petty by cutting his fences and freeing his animals. But no, it wasn't Davis, he assures. So who was it?

When one of the Kirkland ranch hands alerts Staten there's a few dozen cows missing up in the canyon, he puts together a bit of a rescue team, including Lucas (Garrett Wareing) and, to Lucas's annoyance, Reid (Andrew Liner). The inclusion of Reid is as much about having him start earning his keep as it is about getting the teenage tornado out of Staten's house — his stuff is everywhere, he ate all of the lasagna and he keeps blasting "the worst music you've ever heard," Kirkland gripes.

Here's everything that went down in Ransom Canyon episode 4, entitled "That Boy is My Whole Heart."

Romance on the ranch

Davis has been having a rough few days, what with the father-son drama between him and Reid, as well as the Austin Water & Power folks breathing down his back about wanting to break ground and needing him to get Staten and Cap (James Brolin) to finally sign off on the pipeline deal.

When Quinn tries to give him some advice about the Reid situation — she thinks him kicking the teen boy out was a bit harsh, given that he's still clearly mourning the loss of his cousin Randall — Davis gets defensive and snaps at her. He later turns up at her door with an apology pizza, expressing regret over how he talked to her as well as about the whole jealousy fiasco with Staten.

They have a heart-to-heart that night: Davis comes clean about the ranch being in dire financial straits — that's why he's been acting so weird lately — and Quinn reveals the New York Philharmonic offer she received and how she seriously had been considering it. However, now she's wondering if she returned to Ransom because she was running from something or running toward something else.

At the moment, it seems the latter, with Quinn kissing Davis and inviting him to spend the night with her.

Roped into a rodeo

The simmering flirtation between Yancy (Jack Schumacher) and Ellie (Marianly Tejada) also seems like it's about to boil over this episode. After Yancy apologizes for missing the dance hall's opening party, Ellie makes it known she wants to get to know Yancy beyond his whole mystery man act.

While checking his stitches, he tells her about his troubled childhood spent in foster care and juvenile detention centers and his days as a rodeo performer. However, their intimate moment is interrupted by Cap, who wants to celebrate the purchase of cattle from some friends of Yancy's, he says.

Yancy realizes it was Freddie (Kenneth Miller) and his criminal crony behind the release and resale of Staten's stolen cows. They had told him they want a piece of whatever scheme he's in town cooking up, but he has heretofore refused, telling them he simply wants to keep his head down and work on Cap's ranch.

He offers them $20,000 to get out of Ransom for good. Where will he get the money? He'll win it at the rodeo, he tells them, having spotted a competition flyer in the men's bathroom at the dance hall.

Till the cows come home

Speaking of wrangling cattle and riding horses, Reid is having a hard time living the old rancher's life with the guys while trying to get all of Staten's cows back. When the men realize one calf is still missing, Reid wants to prove himself and offers to look for it, but Staten forces Lucas to join him. The boys spend much of their time together griping about Lauren (Lizzy Greene), until they hear the young animal lowing from a ditch, where it's stuck in some mud.

Staten tells the boys to leave the cow, he'll send someone out to rescue it, but Reid is insistent they can't leave the animal behind. However, before they can free the calf, the teens end up getting into a physical fight in the mud, until the realize how ridiculous they're being. Covered in mud, they eventually make amends over beers and bond over the unreasonable expectations their fathers set for them.

Eventually, they are able to free the calf from the muddy ditch, which leaves Staten impressed. When Reid returns to Staten's house for the night, he finds his bags are packed — but instead of asking Reid to leave, he tells him that he's moving him from the office couch to Randall's old room.

Sheriff's on the case

When Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester) comes to Staten's ranch to check in about the cow burglary, Staten reminds him about the chop shop lead and the piece of a blue Ford truck fender that he found out near Randall's crash site.

The sheriff heads down to the Bandera shop to ask questions about the Ford truck, but the mechanic isn't all that helpful — until Sheriff Dan spots the building's security cameras and demands to see the footage. Going through clips from a year ago, the sheriff spots something shocking: Reid coming out of a blue Ford pick-up. Was he out on the road the night Randall died?

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

After that shocking revelation from Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher) in the final moments of episode 2, Ransom Canyon episode 3 — entitled "Trouble Can Be Fun Sometimes" — quickly catches us up on the fact that, yes, the deceitful ranch hand was actually telling the truth. He is the grandson of Cup Fuller (James Brolin).

In a flashback to a prison yard, we see Yancy serving time and dealing with a jailhouse bully named Freddie (Kenneth Miller). After getting the crap kicked out of him by Freddie, Yancy is told by a guard that he has a visitor — it's Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), with whom he's been corresponding by mail.

We see how their scheme took shape: Davis would put in a good word to his buddy on the parole board for Yancy and, in return, Yancy would ensure that Grandpa Cap sells to Austin Water & Power. If Cap refuses to sell, Yancy will take the ranch from him, he threatens.

Making amends?

Back in the present, at Gracie's Dance Hall, Ellie (Marianly Tejada) is setting up for the big reopening party she and Quinn (Minka Kelly) are throwing that night. The abundance of Christmas lights looks great, Quinn assures her, but she's less thrilled to see that Ellie called in Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) to help fix the busted beer cooler.

It's still awkward between the friends, though Staten tries to smooth things over with Quinn. She even jokes that him helping with the party set-up for the "enemy" makes him complicit. Things get a bit flirty, with Quinn fishing to see whether Staten will attend the party, but they're interrupted by the arrival of Sam Kirkland (Brett Cullen).

Less successful on the forgiveness front is Lauren (Lizzy Greene) and Lucas (Garrett Wareing). Lauren's ex Reid (Andrew Liner) tells Lauren that Davis is making him do a news interview about what happened at the ghost house. Reid doesn't want to disappoint his father, so he asks Lauren if she could make sure that Lucas doesn't spill about the actual events of that night.

When Lauren catches up with Lucas after class, he's pissed — at her, yes, but also at his brother Kit, who has gone missing after they had a fight. He promises he won't say anything about Reid but it's clear Lauren and Reid spending time together is upsetting him.

Old acquaintances

While at the hardware store to pick something up for Ellie, Yancy overhears a conversation between two criminals — one of whom he correctly clocks as his old prison pal Freddie. Freddie doesn't catch sight of Yancy, but the latter tails the convict to see where he's staying.

He later tells Davis about the dangerous sighting and warns that if he knows that Yancy is in Ransom, "he'll do damage, probably squeeze us for a cut, blow my cover." They can't have that. Davis tells him to watch the license plates on Freddie's truck and then call in the car to the cops. Other than a little hand injury (which former nurse Ellie sweetly stiches up for him), Yancy's plate swap works — that is until Freddie finds Yancy later in the episode, just as he's about to leave for the reopening party.

And speaking of blasts from the past, Quinn also has one, though far less menacing. All throughout the party set-up, Quinn has been getting calls from Katherine Bullock, the director of the New York Philharmonic, who wants Quinn to audition as a pianist for the orchestra. She lets it go to voicemail — will she move back across the country to outrun her feelings for Staten?

Katherine comes to find out herself at the opening bash, having been in Austin for a conference. She tells Quinn her talent is wasted there: "You're meant for more than this, Quinn. We both know it." Auditions are in six weeks, so she has time to think about it.

Sibling support

Not only do we get to meet Quinn's big sister Angie (Lauren Glazier) — who shows up to race horses and give her sis grief about her love life — but we also see the return of Lucas's older brother Kit (Casey W. Johnson).

When he returns home from school, Lucas spots Kit's truck in the driveway and confronts him about where he's been. Kit was doing a little side hustle, he explains, to get the brothers' heads above water. Lucas doesn't like the sound of that and worries about what his bro has gotten them into.

It's party time

Finally, the big party. After some convincing from Sam, Staten decides to attend the dance, much to the annoyance of Davis, who turned up with flowers in hand for Quinn. Things get even more awkward between the men when Davis gets to bragging about Reid's recent appearance on the news, when Staten knows that it was he, not the boy, who actually rescued the teens that night.

During a slow number by the night's musical act, Staten asks for a dance with Quinn, and they share a tender moment. That is quickly ruined when Davis demands to cut in. When he starts throwing digs at Staten's honor, Kirkland throws it right back in his face, bringing up Reid and the ghost house lie. Davis pulls Reid over, who confesses that his heroics was all a fallacy. Quinn is upset that Staten made Reid look foolish and also that she realized he only attended her party because of Sam's prodding.

And it's not the event's only fight: Lauren attends the party with her father Sheriff Dan (Philip Winchester), who isn't all too pleased to see that Lucas and Kit are also in attendance, nor about people's questions about where his wife is. Soon, Dan's drunken anger boils over into a fistfight with Kit and he has to be taken home by his own deputy.

Lauren is teary outside in the parking lot because Dan blamed her for the whole thing. She also reveals to Lucas that it was her dad that made her end things with him. She wants them to still be together, but her dad can't know. He doesn't want to keep on lying to everyone, but at the last minute, he changes his mind and runs after her while she's driving away. They have a big kiss in the street.

Back at Staten's, he's nursing his frustrations with some whiskey when he hears a knock at his door. He thinks it's Sam, who he refused to let stay there that night after confronting him about Quinn. But no, it's Reid, who has been kicked out by Davis and has nowhere to stay. Looks like someone has a new roommate.

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

Ransom Canyon episode 1 laid quite a lot of ground.

Ransom Canyon episode 2, "Sure as the Day is Long," expands things even further with some surprising business dealings that do not sit well with our lead rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel). There's also a potential lead on that accident that tragically killed his son a year earlier.

Read on to find out what went down in episod 2.

Romance is rough

After rebuffing her declaration of love last episode, you can't blame Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly) from giving Staten the cold shoulder when he tries to smooth things over with her. Later, Staten gets cowboy-wasted at the dance hall; embarrassingly crooning Hootie & the Blowfish certainly doesn't help things.

Similarly, Lucas Russell (Garrett Wareing) is getting ghosted by Lauren Brigman (Lizzy Greene) after her dad refused to let her go to the UT cheer clinic if she kept seeing the boy.

Staten and Lucas — the latter of whom has picked up a gig at the Kirkland Ranch to make extra money — commiserate about their respective losses: Staten, the deaths of his wife and son, and Lucas, the abandonment of his father. "Hard getting left behind, isn't it," Lucas says. It's clear he's not just talking about his dad.

Money to burn

Ellie (Marianly Tejada) tells Quinn she wants to become business partners with her and she has ideas to help with the dance hall. Quinn isn't opposed but is realistic: "What we need is money, Ellie. Lots of money."

Enter Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher), who just so happens to be doing a lot of chin-wagging about that Austin Water & Power pipeline in the dance hall. The company is throwing around a lot of money trying to win people over, Yancy tells her. Why not see if they'll throw some her way?

You also can't blame Quinn from being swayed by the kind words of Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), who tells her she "deserves someone who sees you for all that you are and all that you want to be."

Daddy issues

After his humiliating Hootie performance, Staten wakes up to think Quinn — who got him home safely the night before — is still in his house. But no, it's his senator dad Sam (Brett Cullen), who is in town to host a fundraiser for his reelection campaign.

Things are clearly frosty between father and son, with the water pipeline plans adding to the chill. But Sam knows all the animosity is born out of grief. "Lashing out at me isn't going to bring them back son, no matter how hard you try," he tells Staten.

In the Brigman house, Lauren is still dealing with her own problems with dear old dad. Keeping with her father's request, she is taking Reid Collins (Andrew Liner) instead of Lucas to the big fundraiser. When her mother questions her on it, Lauren gets angry when she sees that her mom is worryingly drinking alcohol, after promising her daughter that she would remain on the straight and narrow. "How about, instead of trying to fix my life, you fix your own," Lauren tells her.

When Lauren arrives at the fundraiser, Lucas — who is working the event as a waiter — spots her and follows her outside, demanding to know why she's gone radio-silent on him. They make up but she rushes off when she hears somebody nearby. When she returns home, Lauren finds a note from her mother, saying she's leaving her husband and daughter behind.

Missing parts

Staten and his buddy Deputy Kai Flores (Justin Johnson Cortez) bring that piece of a car's fender Staten found last episode to a mechanic to identify it. It's part of a Ford pick-up — but that doesn't narrow things down in truck-loving Texas, where seemingly everyone and their mother owns an F-Series.

Kai later informs Staten he knows a guy who knows a guy at a chop shop in Bandera, who says they scrubbed a blue F-Series a year ago, which is when Randall's accident was. Staten wants to go investigate, but Kai warns that the guys at the shop are not to be messed with.

Fundraisers ain't fun

Everyone who's anyone is at Sam Kirkland's fundraiser — and, unfortunately for Staten, that includes both Quinn and Davis, who show up together. Things get even worse for the Kirkland lad when his dad begins introducing folks like Quinn and Cap Fuller (James Brolin) to an Austin Water & Power executive.

Speaking of Cap, Yancy is chatting his ear off to get personal info on the old rancher. He finds out that Cap's soldier son died in Afghanistan and his wife, Ruth, is living with dementia at a nearby care facility.

During her sit-down with the Austin Water & Power rep, Quinn is wary of agreeing to the deal. "What's the catch?" she worries. However, when she's assured that there's no strings attached, she decides to take the deal and accepts the capital to help the dance hall's finances.

The executive publicly announces the investment into local business like Quinn's dance hall during dinner, which unsurprisingly gets a heated reaction from Staten. "You're gonna kill this town," he yells. Upset, Quinn chugs the rest of her wine, tells him that not everything is about him and storms out.

In the last minutes of the episode, we see Yancy visiting a care facility — yes, the same one where Ruth Fuller lives. Sitting down with Cap's wife, he shockingly tells her that he's her grandson, the child of her late son Lincoln. Do we believe him?

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon season 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.

If you're a fan of Yellowstone, Friday Night Lights, Virgin River or all of the above, this one's for you. Yee-hawing its way onto Netflix is Ransom Canyon, a romantic Western drama based on the Jodi Thomas book series of the same name.

The Texas-set series is led by Josh Duhamel as stoic rancher Staten Kirkland, who is trying to keep himself afloat after heartbreaking loss. A pillar of support for him is Quinn O’Grady (Friday Night Lights' Minka Kelly), a close family friend and owner of the local dancehall who's long-harbored feelings for the cowboy. But there's more than just a will-they-won't-they romance at the center of this series.

So let's saddle up and get into it all. Here's what went down in the Ransom Canyon episode 1, "Don't Let Me Fall."

Cowboys cry, too

We first meet Staten Kirkland on his son Randall's (Hubert Smielecki) birthday — Staten's wife tragically died a few years prior, and the teen was supposed to meet his dear old dad for a birthday horseback ride out on the cliffs, but he's seemingly still grieving and doesn't show.

Things get even rockier during Randall's party later that evening, where his Uncle Davis (Eoin Macken) — who owns a rival ranch — surprises his nephew with a splashy car. Upset about the over-the-top gesture, Staten tells Randall he has to return the car the next morning, which prompts a fight between the two. "I wish it was you that died," Randall yells before racing off in his new present.

Later, Staten gets a middle-of-the-night phone call. We see flashes of a car wreck and horrifically realize at the same time Staten does that his son is gone.

A year after Randall's death, Staten visits the sight of the crash, where he finds a piece of metal in the dust. He believes it's proof there was another car out on the road that night with Randall, but the sheriff's office doesn't believe him.

Old rivalries die hard

One year later, we pick up with Quinn O’Grady (and her dog Biscuit). She may proclaim to her coworker/friend Ellie (Marianly Tejada) that her relationship with Staten is merely platonic — she was close to his late wife — but it's clear she's sweet on him, inviting him to join her at the high-school football game and reintroduce the widower back into society.

But Staten's got competition in the form of Davis Collins (Eoin Macken), and not just over Quinn's heart. Davis' ranch is financially struggling (he's already taken out a second mortgage on his house) and he wants to capitalize on a lucrative offer by Austin Water & Power to run a pipeline underneath the ranchlands to the aquifer, but he needs Staten and fellow ranch owner Cap Fuller (James Brolin) on board, or the deal is off.

Staten previously refused the idea because the aquifer feeds the crops and cattle, he argues. But Davis warns him that the town already gave their permission, and he'll find a way with or without him.

Three's company

Theirs isn't the only love triangle in town. The sheriff's daughter and popular cheerleader Lauren Brigman (Lizzy Greene) recently broke up with Davis's son Reid Collins (Andrew Liner) — though he clearly hasn't processed that fact yet — and has been secretly dating Lucas Russell (Garrett Wareing), a wannabe rancher whose dad left him and his brother to fend for themselves.

During the aforementioned football game, a scout from the University of Texas was there to check out prospective cheerleaders for the college, and Lauren's name came up. The rep wants her and a friend to come to Austin for a cheer clinic, but she's worried her dad (Philip Winchester) won't let her go. When Lucas consoles her one day at school, Reid spots them and is left fuming.

A tumbleweed blows in

The sheriff spots a mysterious drifter strolling through Ransom Canyon. His name is Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher) and he's heading to Cap Fuller's ranch to work, he tells the sheriff.

Cap is a gruff old guy who doesn't even give Yancy a handshake before pointing him to the stables, but Ellie — whose dad was close with Cap and still checks in on him to make sure he's taking his blood-pressure medication — gets more answers out of the newcomer. After inviting him to the dance hall for welcome drinks, she sneaks a peek at his poetry books, where she finds newspaper clippings about Fuller Ranch tucked inside.

When Ellie confronts him later at the dance hall, he says he simply was doing research about the ranch so he could help, but something definitely isn't right with the guy, especially with the pointed way he was listening in on Staten and Cap's discussions about the Austin Water & Power business.

A bonfire goes badly

At a teen bonfire that evening, Reid confronts Lucas about his relationship with Lauren. However, the argument is interrupted when the cops come busting the youths for underage drinking. While everyone else scurries off in their trucks, a ride-less Lucas, Lauren, Reid and his friend Tim (Niko Guardado) are left stranded and have to escape from the law enforcement on foot.

The group decides to take cover in an old and sufficiently spooky abandoned house. While Reid is jokingly bouncing around about the dilapidated floorboards, Tim falls through and badly injures his leg. Staten, who luckily had been driving down the road at the right time and spotted the kids, come to the rescue, pulling the teens out and getting Tim medical assistance. However, when the cops come, Reid takes credit for saving them all.

Arriving at the scene, Sheriff Brigman tells Lauren he'll let her go to the UT cheer clinic on one condition: she can't see Lucas anymore.

Outside the hospital, Staten encounters Quinn, who is there to check in on her nephew Tim. Upset about seeing her out and about with Davis, he makes a poorly timed joke, which sets her off: "You've had a piece of my heart for as long as I can remember," she tells him, adding she buried her feelings when he and Amalah started dating and even moved all the way to New York to avoid him. "I've waited. I've waited for you to heal, to choose me. But you're never gonna do that, are you?"

Still not ready to take that step, Staten walks away from her, but he's clearly mad at himself doing so.

Guess who?

Yancy is waiting to meet someone late at night — and who's in the driver's seat when the car pulls up but Davis Collins himself.

They're in cahoots about the whole pipeline situation, with Yancy reporting that "all is going to plan" with Cap. "Once you go through with it, there's no going back," Davis ominously warns.

All 10 episodes of Ransom Canyon are now available to stream on Netflix.

From Dances with Wolves to Open Range to Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has had an affinity for the west. He is going to continue to share that passion with an epic project set to arrive for audiences this Memorial Day. However, it’s not Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2. Instead it’s a new documentary series, Kevin Costner’s The West, set to air on History Channel.

The eight-part series is billed as offering “a fresh look at the epic history of the American West by delving into the desperate struggle for the land itself — and how it still shapes the America we know today.”

The docuseries will present the history of the west through different perspectives, utilizing historians and historical recreations to present information to audiences. The show is part of History Channel’s “History Honors 250” programming, which is recognizing the upcoming 250th anniversary of America in 2026.

Costner is an executive producer, and if the trailer (which you can watch below) is any indication, he may serve as host/narrator for the series as well. But while this new series is its own thing, it’s hard to look at it and not wonder about Costner’s other project, meant to depict the epic history of the American west — Horizon.

Horizon: An American Saga has long been described as Costner’s passion project, a four-part movie event that tells the story of a swath of characters as they all attempt to make their way to a town called Horizon where they hope to find a new life, but forced to take on various struggles and tragedies along the way. Costner co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the movie, which is reportedly why he exited Yellowstone season 5 prior to its final episodes.

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 was released in movie theaters on June 28, 2024, with its second part Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 originally planned to be released just a month-and-half later on August 16, 2024. However, poor critical reception (read WTW’s Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 review) and box office resulted in that plan being scrapped. Instead, Warner Bros., the studio behind the movie, opted to get the movie on streaming to try and build out its audience before moving forward with Chapter 2.

The movie did find more of an audience on streaming, particularly when Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 was on Netflix. Yet we still have no idea when/if Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 is going to come out.

The second part of Costner’s epic did screen at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February 2025. But according to the most recent report that we can find from Vulture, writing about the movie after they saw it at Santa Barbara, there is still no release details on Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2; as far as the planned third and fourth chapters, it’s not clear if those productions are going to be finished.

Part of the biggest fault of Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 was that it felt disjointed and incomplete. Because of that there now is the risk that we won’t ever get to see Costner’s full vision to know if he could have pulled it off.

Whether or not Kevin Costner’s The West on History Channel is his new attempt to tell the story of the west that he wanted to share with audiences, it may be all we’re getting from the Oscar-winning filmmaker.

Kevin Costner’s The West premieres Monday, May 26, at 9 pm ET/PT on History Channel. Watch the trailer for the series directly below:

Ari Aster has quickly become a master of modern horror with movies like Hereditary and Midsommar. With his latest movie, Eddington, he is going back to another truly terrifying time — 2020.

Collaborating again with A24, as he has on all of his movies to date, Aster has amassed a stellar cast for the 2025 new movie, earned a spot in one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and earned a prime release date to grab people’s attention.

We’ve got information on all these details and more about Eddington you should know before seeing the movie directly below.

Eddington how to watch

Eddington is now playing exclusively in US movie theaters. Here are the details you need to know on how to watch Eddington.

The modern western is going to come to the UK a bit later, with the movie premiering on August 22.

Eddington cast

It is quite the cast that has been brought together for Eddington, but headlining things are Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, who play the town sheriff and mayor embroiled in the standoff that serves as the main plot of the movie.

This is the second time that Phoenix is working with Aster, with the two having previously worked together on Beau Is Afraid. Besides that, some other recent work from Phoenix has included Joker: Folie a Deux, Napoleon, C’mon C’mon and his Oscar-winning performance in Joker.

Pascal, meanwhile, is currently starring in The Last of Us season 2, but will also have a big presence on the big screen this summer. A week after Eddington premieres, Pascal is starring in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Fans have also seen him recently in Freaky Tales, Gladiator 2 and The Wild Robot.

Joining Phoenix and Pascal in the Eddington cast are Luke Grimes (Yellowstone), Deirdre O'Connell (The Penguin), Micheal Ward (The Book of Clarence), Amélie Hoeferle (Night Swim), Clifton Collins Jr. (Westworld), William Belleau (Killers of the Flower Moon), Austin Butler (Elvis) and Emma Stone (Poor Things).

Eddington plot

As he has with all of his movies to date, Aster wrote the original screenplay for Eddington. Here is the synopsis for the movie from A24:

“In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.”

Eddington trailer

The trailer for Eddington gives us a quick look at what’s to come in the movie in a way we’re all familiar with these days, doom-scrolling on social media. Watch the trailer right here:

Watch additional Eddington trailers right here:

Eddington reviews

WTW has offered its take on Aster's latest. Read our Eddington review to get the full take.

Looking at the general consensus, Eddington has earned a "Fresh" score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ari Aster movies

We've mentioned them all above, but Aster has directed three feature movies to date, all of which are rated “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes and actively pushed audiences to challenging places: 2018’s Hereditary, 2019’s Midsommar and 2023’s Beau Is Afraid.

Eddington behind the scenes

A24 is both a production company and distributor on Eddington, with 828 Productions, IPR.VC and Square Peg on board as co-producing houses.

Eddington’s producers include Aster and Lars Knudsen.

Here is a behind-the-scenes clip from the movie, featuring the stars and Aster:

The Duttons appear to be taking a break. Following the 1923 season 2 finale that premiered on April 6 on Paramount Plus, there is no Yellowstone or Yellowstone prequel series with the Dutton family at the center immediately ready to become fans’ next watch.

Though another prequel series, 1944, is expected to be in the works, as well as reports on a couple of direct Yellowstone spinoffs, the series that is expected up next in the Yellowstone universe is called The Madison, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and focusing on entirely new characters.

However, I have a theory that while these characters aren’t part of the main Dutton family that have been the center of the story thus far, they could be a new branch of the Dutton family tree. The key to all of this is Michelle Randolph’s 1923 character Elizabeth.

To be clear, this is just speculation on my part, going off of the 1923 season 2 ending. As we heard from 1923 stars Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer, secrets on Yellowstone storylines are so tightly kept that even they weren’t sure if they were John Dutton’s grandparents despite the fact that their characters, Spencer and Alex, named their baby John, which we know is the name of Yellowstone John Dutton’s father. Still, I think there are signs that Elizabeth could be the connecting thread between the characters set to be the center of The Madison and the Duttons.

What we know about The Madison plot right now is that it will center on a New York City family that moves to Montana, with the series being described as a “heartfelt study of grief and human connection.”

So how could Elizabeth connect the characters in The Madison with the Duttons?

At the end of 1923, following Jack’s (Darren Mann) death, Elizabeth leaves the ranch and Montana, presumably heading back east to Boston, where her family is from. Elizabeth is still pregnant, though with Jack’s child, as Randolph confirmed in an interview with WTW.

While that could still leave the door open for Elizabeth’s child to be the connection between her and Jack and Yellowstone’s John Dutton, I think it’s more likely that her child is the father (or father-in-law) of Pfeiffer’s character in The Madison.

It definitely would be good casting, as one can easily note a physical resemblance between Randolph and Pfeiffer. But the bigger reason is that it would make a great deal of sense for the story.

Though the main family is described as from New York, not Boston, they very easily could have moved in the 100 years between stories. And having a family connection in Montana could explain why they end up moving there.

In Elizabeth’s final scene with Cara (Helen Mirren) in 1923, she promises to never forget Jack. Cara says she ultimately will, as that’s just life. But what if Elizabeth keeps her promise? Perhaps she never remarries and tells her child about Jack so that his story stays alive for multiple generations. Then, when whatever happens to the characters in The Madison to make them decide to leave New York, Montana feels like a good option because they know they have roots there.

That could then allow for some potential fun storylines and crossovers as they explore Montana, perhaps with Beth (Kelly Reilly) or Kayce (Luke Grimes).

There’s no premiere date for The Madison at this time, so who knows how long we’ll have to wait to see if my theory holds any water (early guesses are it premieres sometime in 2026). But is some fun food for thought as we wait for the next chapter in the Yellowstone universe.

All episodes of 1923 are streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus. All episodes of Yellowstone are streaming on Peacock in the US and Paramount Plus in the UK.

Across Taylor Sheridan’s roster of TV shows, he has built up a small repertoire of actors that he often works with. One of the new additions is Michelle Randolph, who in addition to starring as Elizabeth in 1923 also played Ainsley Norris in Landman. Getting the chance to speak with Randolph about the 1923 season 2 ending, we were interested as a now Sheridan-verse veteran, what she finds so appealing about Sheridan’s work?

“He just has a way of writing human dynamics, and they’re all very character based stories and it’s not entirely plot driven,” Randolph said. “I think that’s what attracts not only actors but audiences, because we can all relate to people.”

While 1923 has come to an end, Randolph is going to continue working with Sheridan on Landman season 2, which recently began production. But before closing the book on her time in the Dutton family saga, we talked about how she viewed Elizabeth’s journey and some of her favorite memories from her time working on the show.

Read the full transcript of our interview with Michelle Randolph (lightly edited for clarity and conciseness) directly below.

What to Watch: When you read the scripts and learned where Elizabeth’s story ends up, what was your view on her arc across the whole series?

Michelle Randolph: Well, I was relieved to know that she survived, number one. Number two, I would say her whole kind of arc in [1923] season 2 is just trying to survive and trying to communicate to everyone, and no one will listen, that like, ‘hey, am I the only one who sees that if we all stay here we are going to ultimately die because everyone around us is?’ And so I think her overall arc is just survival. And by the end I think her number one thing is how do I make sure that my baby is protected and what’s the best thing for my baby, and what is left here?

WTW: This season you got to do a lot of scenes with Helen Mirren. What was your experience like working with her so frequently, and in a lot of heavy, emotional scenes too?

MR: I love working with Helen. She’s incredible, I feel like I just learn so much from her. And in a lot of ways I think Elizabeth and Cara’s character kind of mirrors how I feel about Helen, where I could just listen to her advice forever. Filming emotional scenes, you can’t help but feel a little emotional on set, so she was just so… I don’t know. We had a lot of special connected scenes, and I’m really grateful to Taylor for writing those for us.

WTW: Speaking of Taylor, you’ve now worked on two series with him in Landman and 1923. What is it about his work that really speaks to you as an actress?

MR: I mean he writes such incredible — reading his scripts, they read like novels almost, they’re so entertaining. Working on 1923 is so different than working on Landman. Part of what I love is that they’re entirely different tones. Landman is humorous and it’s a drama but it’s modern day, and 1923 transports you into that time and makes you feel like you’re… like they’re surviving the elements with every character in the story. He just has a way of writing human dynamics and they’re all very character based stories and relationships, it’s not entirely plot driven. I think that’s what attracts not only actors but audiences, because we can all relate to people.

WTW: Do you have a favorite memory from your time making 1923?

MR: There are so many. It’s wild because like when you think about it we shot season 1 three years ago now. And so my favorite thing I took from the show in general are the friendships that I’ve made on it. But my favorite overall memory of all of it is definitely cowboy camp from season 1. I feel like I’ve said the words cowboy camp so many times, but it was such a highlight. It was like a summer camp… the two best weeks of my life. Had an incredible job we were about to start filming, meeting new friends, riding horses all day in beautiful Montana in the summer. It just doesn’t get better than that.

WTW: I’ve talked with a few people from 1923, 1883 and they’ve all said that cowboy camp was something different.

MR: It is! Because there’s also the fact that you’re doing it before the job starts you have this giddiness about starting something new. I wonder if I’ll ever feel that way again.

All episodes of 1923 are available to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus.

After an epic, nearly two-hour episode, the 1923 season 2 finale closed the book on this chapter of the Dutton’s story and by all indications appeared to answer a question that many fans have had throughout the series — who are the grandparents of Yellowstone’s John Dutton?

While the show teased throughout that it was either Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) & Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) or Jack (Darren Mann) & Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), the 1923 season 2 ending saw Alex give birth to her and Spencer’s son, who they name John. Though premature and at the cost of Alex’s life (she refused potentially life-saving treatment for her frostbite to give birth), baby John is alive and well at the conclusion of the series. Since we know that Yellowstone’s John Dutton’s father is also named John, that would seem to finally connect the dots in the Dutton family tree.

But according to Sklenar and Schlaepfer themselves, this may not have been as clear cut of an answer as we thought.

“I don’t think we’ve actually figured that out,” said Sklenar in an interview with What to Watch. “I haven’t been told anything… Julia, have you been told anything?”

“I haven’t been told anything,” Schlaepfer confirmed.

While they both admitted they hoped their characters are John Dutton’s grandparents, they said until Taylor Sheridan confirms it himself, they’re not going to assume anything.

“There’s still more of the Yellowstone story to be told,” Sklenar said, presumably referring to the next expected prequel series, rumored to be called 1944. “I think that’s probably where you’ll find your answers.”

Read the full transcript of WTW’s interview with Sklenar and Schlaepfer (lightly edited for conciseness and clarity) to hear more about the ending for Spencer and Alex’s love story, finally getting to act with co-stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren and Sklenar’s potential future with the series.

What to Watch: Julia, this is actually the second time we’re getting to talk, we talked way back during season 1. At the time you described Alex and Spencer’s relationship as a “dream love story.” Now that we know how their story ends, what are your thoughts on their journey and their relationship now?

Julia Schlaepfer: I stand by it, but of course there’s a tragedy at the end. I guess I would rephrase by saying their love is the type of love that everybody dreams of having in their lifetime. And unfortunately it was cut short, but he never forgets her, dreams of her his whole life and they find each other in the next one. Season 2 has proved to them and to the audience, you know, just how deep their love runs that they would literally go to the ends of the earth for each other.

WTW: Brandon, would you like to add anything about Spencer and Alex’s journey?

Brandon Sklenar: Yeah… It’s just like an incredibly profound love and connection. It’s what all great literature is about and songs, and it’s that thing that hits you deep in your soul. You can’t explain it, and you try and rationalize it and explain it away and you just can’t. More often than not I feel like it is this type of thing where it’s two people that on paper just don’t make any f***ing sense, and then they end up making lots of sense. And then the way that it concludes is the most beautiful thing that I’ve ever read. I’ve never read anything that’s affected me so much just by reading the words on the page, let alone performing it. Yeah, such a gift.

WTW: Up until the finale, you guys were off on your own paths, you really weren’t with the rest of the primary Montana cast, so what was it like when you finally got to do scenes with Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and the rest of the group?

JS: Dream come true, yeah, dream come true. Getting to be part of a show like this is a dream, and getting to work with people like Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and Timothy Dalton are dreams that you don’t ever think will ever come true. And then it did. It’s just one of those surreal moments that I will be unpacking and processing for the rest of my life. They are the greatest people alive. They are such leaders on set, but they’re so kind and funny and just want to joke around. There’s a reason why they’re living legends. Season 2 was so different from season 1, in terms of we were isolated together in season 1 and then in season 2 we were isolated apart, but they were so special in very different ways. And it’s just still going to be a pinch-me moment that we got to work with them.

WTW: So one of the series’ big secrets was who exactly are the grandparents of Yellowstone’s John Dutton? We finally figured out that it’s you guys. Was that something that you guys found out early in season 2 or was it a tightly kept secret all season?

BS: Well, I don’t think we’ve actually figured that out. I haven’t been told anything, and I don’t think - Julia have you been told anything?

JS: I haven’t been told anything.

WTW: Nothing official? Wow.

JS: Not until we get word from Taylor Sheridan himself, I don’t think we’re legally allowed (laughing).

BS: Yeah, there’s a sniper on the roof over there actually, and I say one word I get a red dot (laughing).

WTW: Fair enough. I do know there is still some open ends with Michelle [Randolph’s] character…

JS: I think we hope. I think Brandon and I both dreamed of being the grandparents since season 1. And signs point toward it, but we don’t know.

BS: We want that for sure, it would be awesome. But it hasn’t been confirmed and there’s still more of the Yellowstone story to be told. And I think that’s probably where you’ll find your answers.

WTW: Related to that, and Brandon I’m sure again you don’t know or you’re not at liberty to say anything official, but there have been reports of another prequel series set during 1944, which we now know Spencer would be alive for. If asked, would you be up for coming back?

BS: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I love this character. It’s the best character I’ve ever played, probably one of the best I’ll ever get to play. He changed my life in so many ways, and he’s a part of me and I’m a part of him. I don’t want to not have him around anymore. I’ll always have him around, but I’d love to do that again. Definitely.

All episodes of 1923 are available to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus.

With 1923 season 2 episode 7, another chapter of the Dutton family’s history comes to an end. It did so in thrilling fashion, as we detail in our recap of the 1923 season 2 finale, which also serves as the series finale.

Everyone is waiting for Spencer’s (Brandon Sklenar) arrival, with violent gunfights a certainty at both the train station and the Dutton ranch. Meanwhile, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) is stranded in the middle of nowhere, with the freezing temperatures having already killed her friends Hillary and Paul. If she doesn’t think of something fast, her as well.

It was a massive, nearly two-hour episode to conclude all the 1923 storylines. We break them all down right here with our 1923 season 2 ending explained.

The calm before the storm

Sitting on the porch in the early morning, Cara (Helen Mirren) believes Spencer will arrive today, likely bringing a fight with him. Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) joins her, concerned that Jack hasn’t come home. Cara reveals Jack went to Livingston to help Jacob. Sadly, neither of them know Jack’s tragic fate.

Banner (Jerome Flynn), meanwhile, is hoping to avoid his own downfall. He tells his wife (Sarah Randall Hunt) Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) is evil, enjoying the suffering of others (as we see in another scene where he continues to physically abuse poor Mabel [Virginia Gardner]). Wanting to be able to look his son in the eye, Banner says they are leaving Montana.

At the train station, Clyde (Brian Konowal) arrives. Jacob (Harrison Ford) doesn’t know him, but Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) says he and Cara hired him when Jacob was injured. Jacob’s suspicious, but his attention quickly shifts when Banner arrives with his family.

Jacob finds it strange Banner happens to be leaving the same day Spencer is expected to arrive, but he doesn’t plan to let Banner leave after he started this whole mess. Banner tries to be honest with Jacob, sharing with him that Whitfield is planning to do more than just kill Spencer at the station, hoping that will be enough to let Jacob at least let his wife and son leave. Jacob agrees to that.

When Spencer’s train is about 25 minutes away, more of Whitfield’s men arrive at the station, putting Jacob and McDowell on alert. Meanwhile, Banner was right, as cars of Whitfield’s men drive toward the Yellowstone.

Alex and Spencer reunited

Alex tries to prevent herself from freezing to death in the car, grabbing the gloves from Hillary’s frozen hands, rushing out into the cold to search Paul’s body and finding a lighter. Once back inside the car, she uses what she can to build a small fire.

However, she soon runs out of things to burn, with only Spencer’s letters from his family left. She apologizes to her husband as she burns one, then breaks down and asks what kind of God would put her through this torment. At that moment she hears a train whistle. She realizes the car is actually next to train tracks and there is a train approaching. She quickly dumps what’s left of Hillary’s flask onto her fire to set the car ablaze to signal the train, while she frantically waves it down.

The train passing is Spencer’s, who sees that this is Alex. He rushes to the back of the train and jumps off, running to his wife. They embrace, amazed and thankful for being reunited. Alex asks if he managed to tell the train to stop, but Spencer admits he forgot that part. But he’ll carry her to the nearest town (three miles away) if he has to. He jokes that Alex feels like she’s eaten well on her journey. She reveals she’s in fact pregnant. More good news, the train did stop after Spencer jumped, allowing them to catch up with it.

On the train a doctor examines Alex, revealing her hands and feet are suffering from frostbite. He also asks how far along Alex’s pregnancy is? Six months, she answers. He’s unsure if the baby will be able to survive, but the best chance is if they don’t get off at Livingstone, instead riding through to Bozeman where an ambulance will be waiting for Alex.

What happens to Teonna?

Before we get back to Spencer and the rest of the Duttons, let’s break down what happens with Teonna (Aminah Nieves).

Marshall Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter) and her deputies Patterson (Steve Luna) and Two Spears (Dougie Hall) discover Kent and Pete’s bodies. Two Spears suspects (correctly) Kent was killed by Renaud. They see smoke not far off in the distance and check it out.

There they find Runs His Horse and Renaud’s body. Two Spears again accurately surmises Renaud killed Runs His Horse but then Teonna killed Renaud before running off. Fossett is ready to leave this whole mess behind when she spots Teonna on a ridge not far away. Noticing that she is spotted, Teonna fires her rifle, missing the Marshals, and then takes off.

The Marshals give chase, with Patterson firing at Teonna despite Fossett telling him not to. He forces Teonna’s horse to fall, but Teonna shoots back and kills Patterson. Fossett and Two Spears are able to surround Teonna though, threatening to kill her. Teonna says she would rather be dead than going back to the prison she escaped from, but Fossett wants her to stand before a judge.

In court, the judge asks what witnesses the prosecution has against Teonna, but they don’t as all of them are dead; nor do they have any actual evidence. Because of that, they make a motion to dismiss, which the judge grants. Teonna is free to go.

However, she’s not sure where. Two Spears gives her a horse and tells her it’s time she finds a new home, suggesting California. As she departs, Two Spears tells her she was right to fight back. Teonna says it cost her everything, but solemnly he tells her it always does.

The Dutton-Whitfield war

At the Yellowstone, Whitfield’s men begin the attack. Cara and Zane (Brian Geraghty) prepare their defenses. Cara hands Elizabeth a shotgun and tells her to hide under a table in the main room and not to move. Meanwhile, Cara takes a sniper and gets in a position to give Zane and the cowboys cover. As the cars arrive outside the ranch house, the shooting begins.

The Yellowstone cowboys hold up well, with Cara proving to be quite the marksman. They manage to drive Whitfield’s men back. Zane expects they’ll attack again at night and try to burn them out of the house. He says they need to pray for clouds so the full moon will help them see better. Cara will pray for Jacob and Spencer to get back.

Speaking of, Spencer’s train is finally pulling into the station, and Jacob and Whitfield’s men ready themselves. Spencer eyes there are men with guns, leaving Alex with the doctor to check it out.

As passengers leave the train, Jacob and McDowell draw their weapons and order Whitfield’s men to drop theirs. They don’t, and all anxiously point their guns at each other, waiting for someone to make a move. That move comes from Clyde, who sees Spencer in the train and fires at him. Everyone starts shooting. Banner is in the mix, as his wife and son get on the train.

Clyde is working to get a clean shot at Jacob. When Jacob gets distracted from seeing Spencer for the first time, Clyde makes his move, but Banner kills him. However, McDowell, unsure of Banner’s allegiance, shoots Banner. With Banner dying, Jacob commends him for being a man of his word after all.

Jacob finds Spencer on the train and says they have to head back to the ranch. Spencer introduces Jacob and Alex, insisting he needs to get his wife to the hospital first. But Alex recognizes this is the war Spencer came home for, allowing him to go and fight while she and Jacob (whose old wounds are leaking) go to the hospital.

Night has fallen at the ranch, and Whitfield’s men attack. With one of them using a machine gun now, they are able to more easily advance and attempt to burn the house down. Zane is able to put out the fire, but some of Whitfield’s men get inside. Elizabeth, still under the table, kills one and then Zane handles the other, but more are still coming.

Thankfully, Spencer arrives just in time. He single-handidly kills the rest of Whitfield’s men. When the coast is clear, Spencer reunites with Cara, who tells him the man responsible for all of this is Whitfield. But before he can handle that he says they need to head to the hospital to see Alex and Jacob.

Elizabeth, however, is concerned Jack is not with Spencer. They send a couple of cowboys to go look for Jack, who find his body in the woods.

What happens to the Duttons?

At the hospital, Alex gives birth to her and Spencer’s son. The doctors assume the baby is going to die and want to prep Alex for surgery to amputate her frostbitten limbs or else she’ll die. But Alex refuses to give her life for her baby’s. She tells Jacob she is naming the baby John, after Spencer’s brother who died in season 1.

Cara and Spencer arrive at the hospital, with Spencer joining Alex and the baby. Alex weakly tells Spencer she knows she is going to die, but would not give up on what they made.

Sure enough, the next morning, Alex has died. Cara comes in and takes the baby, while Spencer tells Jacob he wants to go see the man who killed his wife, Whitfield.

Spencer and Jacob burst into Whitfield’s home as he has breakfast, shooting him, killing Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers) when she charges at them, but letting Mabel go. When Whitfield protests this goes against the oath Jacob took to uphold the law. Jacob says anyone who would want him to explain this is already dead, so now he plans to make such an example of Whitfield that no one like him will come into the valley for another 50 years. Spencer, meanwhile, wants to hear Whitfield say Alex’s name, blaming him for her death. Whitfield, confused, says “Alex?” and Spencer promptly shoots him in the head, killing him. Spencer and Jacob set Whitfield’s mansion on fire then leave.

After they lay Alex and Jack to rest, Elizabeth leaves the ranch, but tells Cara she will always remember Jack. Cara says she won’t, she’ll form new memories and eventually she’ll have enough that she won’t remember Jack at all. But that’s life she says, promising to remember Jack enough for the both of them.

Spencer takes over operations on the ranch, while Jacob has decided it’s time to retire. Sitting on the porch, Cara asks Jacob what Alex was like? He describes her as “if a shooting star could talk.”

Narration from Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) reveals Spencer never remarried, but he did father another son with a widow. Spencer died 45 years after Alex (which by the dates provided equates to 1969). As Elsa explains this we see Spencer lay down by Alex’s grave, then a shooting star flies across the night sky.

The final images of the series are of Spencer and Alex reunited in the afterlife, presented as a grand ballroom. Alex teases him, “took you long enough,” and the two dance.

Are Alex and Spencer John Dutton’s grandparents?

The big question many fans had for 1923 was who would end up being the grandparents to John Dutton (Kevin Costner) from the flagship Yellowstone series. As the series ends, Alex and Spencer are the likeliest pairing, as their son is named John, a name we know was passed down to Costner’s John Dutton by his father.

However, there are a couple of nuggets that still provide some possible alternatives. One is that bit of narration from Elsa that Spencer fathered another son with an unknown widow. Also, Elizabeth is still pregnant with her and Jack’s child, and there’s a non-zero chance that they could come back into the story in the expected next prequel series, 1944.

I talked with Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer about the theory, and they revealed that Taylor Sheridan hasn’t confirmed anything yet about how the Dutton family tree lines up with them. So, while the odds favor Spencer and Alex as John Dutton’s grandparents, 1944 may still have some secrets to reveal on that front.

All of 1923 is now available to stream exclusively on Paramount Plus.

1923 season 2 episode 6 begins at a familiar place for Yellowstone fans — the Dutton dinner table. Jacob (Harrison Ford) notes this is the first time since before Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) left for World War One the table has been full. It’s a brief moment of peace in an episode that features some shocking moments sure to rock fans.

Let’s start right off the bat with where 1923 season 2 episode 5 left off, with the standoff between Pete (Jeremy Gauna) and Kent (Jamie McShane). Unfortunately, Kent is the winner of this shootout. When Renaud (Sebastian Roche) catches up to the scene, he is none too pleased to find Kent has killed another man rather than finding Teonna (Aminah Nieves). While Kent is confident Pete was with Teonna, Renaud calls Kent a murderer and refuses to continue with Kent. When Kent tells the priest to “go f**k” himself, Renaud surprisingly kills him.

That is the first of a few shocking deaths in 1923 season 2 episode 6. Read on for our full recap.

Amassing forces

Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) tells Jacob about Spencer impending arrival. However, the news will likely soon be known by Whitfield thanks to the loose lips of telephone operators (talk about lack of privacy). While they don’t know exactly where or when Spencer is coming in, Banner (Jerome Flynn) and Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) will send men to take Spencer out as soon as he arrives. Jacob won’t let that happen, so he readies his own forces to ensure his nephew’s safe arrival.

Sure enough, Banner tells Clyde (Brian Konowal) to get to the train station when he hears about Spencer. Banner then informs Whitfield about Spencer, arriving as Whitfield and Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers) are introducing the new girl, Mabel (Virginia Gardner), to their bedroom antics. Whitfield isn’t overly concerned about one man, but he agrees they should kill Spencer and then take care of the rest of the Duttons. Banner does note the sheriff is on the side of the Duttons, but Whitfield says he has the courts. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter, because history is not facts, it’s stories the victors choose to tell.

Back at the ranch, Jacob takes three men with him to the train station and tasks Zane (Brian Geraghty) and Jack (Darren Mann) to guard the ranch. Jack wants to come with Jacob, but the elder Dutton reminds Jack the two most precious things they have are Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) and Cara (Helen Mirren), so it’s important Jack stay there.

Before he leaves, Cara reminds Jacob he has never broken his word to her in 56 years, so she makes him promise that he’ll come back from this. Jacob promises.

Not long after Jacob leaves, Jack decides to head off on his own to join him in Livingston.

Travel plans

We get a quick check in with Spencer on the train. He hears that a snow drift is going to cause him to rework his travel plans. We also get a little more back story on Spencer’s service during the war. A train worker asked where Spencer served? Spencer tells him Argonne, which was one of the key battlefronts of the war that saw some of the largest losses of life in American history. Spencer is one of the few survivors, as he references that practically his whole battalion was lost in the battle.

Things are a bit cheerier when we catch up with Alex (Julia Schlaepfer), as she entertains Paul (Augustus Prew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery) with her and Spencer’s story up to that point. They are enthralled and decide to help her reconnect with her lost love, offering to drive her to Montana.

Their trip gets off to a good start, with them all enjoying themselves as they drive across the country. When they reach Wyoming they start to hit some snow and decide to stop at a gas station to put chains on their tires. As happens, a woman who works at the station tells Alex they’ll never make it to Montana by car, as there are no more gas stations between there and their destination; better she take the train. Nevertheless, once their car is ready they head back out on the road.

The fight begins

Jacob arrives at the Livingston station early in the morning, with Sheriff McDowell already on site. McDowell expects Spencer to be on the train arriving in two days, but they can’t confirm with the conductor because sending a wire will let everyone know the details. As Jacob scouts out the station, he figures Banner’s men will attempt to take Spencer as he is getting off the train, using the crowd for cover, because that’s what he’d do. But in the meantime they can only wait, with the hope that more men are coming to help them.

Jack sure is trying to make it as reinforcement, but as he rides in the woods to Livingston he hears something and hides in the woods. Sure enough, Clyde and another cowboy ride up on the road. Spotting someone in the trees, they announce they’re Livestock agents and tell Jack to come out. Confident they’re on his side, Jack comes out of the woods. But Clyde is loyal to Banner, so he shoots and kills Jack, getting a head start on their plans to get rid of all the Duttons.

It’s a sad moment, yet surprisingly unceremonious as it comes half way through the episode. Feels like Jack’s death could have been played for a little more effect, but the ramifications will certainly be felt as this season barrels toward the finish line. And there’s still more drama to come in this episode.

Where does Teonna go next?

Checking back in on Teonna’s storyline, the next day she and Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) go look for Pete. They soon spot vultures circling overhead and find Pete’s body. Teonna weeps, asking what will they do now? Runs His Horse tells her Pete gave his life for Teonna’s freedom, so now they can go home.

This does little to help Teonna, who is losing sight of what life has that is worth fighting for. Runs His Horse says they need to survive so one day, when white men have covered the world in concrete and the world revolts, their descendants will be there to teach people how to live with the land. But Teonna wonders why they should bother to teach the ones that are responsible for destroying everything?

These larger, existential questions get put on the backburner when Renaud finds Teonna and Runs His Horse. As they sleep he approaches, but Runs His Horse wakes up and tries to shoot Renaud. But the priest gets the better of him and kills Runs His Horse.

Renuad, at gun point, prays for Teonna and commands her to ask for God’s forgiveness for her sins. But Teonna is not sorry. Instead, she says it’s Renaud who needs to beg for forgiveness for all that he has done. That is not of interest to Renaud, who says since she renounces salvation, he will send Teonna to the Devil. But when he pulls the trigger Renaud’s gun is empty.

This allows Teonna to grab some embers from the fire and smush them in Renaud’s face. She then stabs him multiple times before grabbing Runs His Horse’s gun and killing the priest.

Now Teonna is truly free, but she is also all alone as she sobs over Runs His Horse’s dead body.

Frozen

Not listening to the gas station lady, Paul, Hillary and Alex continue to drive through the night and the heavy snow. Paul tells Alex she’ll be warmer if she sits on the car’s floorboard. Meanwhile, Paul and Hillary say they’ll keep themselves warm “the Irish Way,” drinking some liquor. All the while, their car is down to about a quarter of a tank.

Alex wakes the next morning to realize the car is stopped, the windows are covered in snow, they’re out of gas and Paul is missing. She goes to ask Hillary where Paul is only to realize that Hillary has frozen to death. When Alex opens the car door she sees Paul is also dead a few hundred feet away, leaving her alone in the middle of the frigid mountain valley somewhere in Wyoming (presumably).

While the events of 1923 season 2 episode 6 don’t take everyone off the board like a mass extinction event like narration from Elsa (Isabel May) details as the episode ends, a lot of key characters have met their demise, and with how things are shaping up more could be on the way.

New episodes of 1923 season 2 premiere on Paramount Plus on Sundays.

A priest walks into a saloon. That’s not a joke, but the beginning of 1923 season 2 episode 5. Despite his initial hesitations, Father Renaud (Sebastian Roche) is forced to enter a saloon to confirm that Teonna is a killer after Kent (Jamie McShane) finds the rancher she was riding with.

When the rancher asks why Teonna killed two nuns in their sleep, he conveniently leaves out how the school was abusive to Teonna and the other girls, instead calling Teonna “evil, and evil does not need a reason.” This ultimately convinces the rancher to help, taking Renaud and Kent to the fairground where he last saw Teonna.

From there, Kent picks up their tracks heading into the plains. Kent is confident they’ll be able to track them down, and he and Renaud ride off in pursuit. And with that let’s ride into the rest of our 1923 season 2 episode 5 recap.

The only ones left

Kent’s tracking skills are on point, as indeed Teonna (Aminah Nieves), Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) and Pete (Jeremy Gauna) are riding through the plains, hoping to cross over into New Mexico before heading down to Mexico.

After riding for some time, they need to rest the horses and Pete goes to look for water. He promises Teonna that he’ll be back soon.

Teonna is beginning to lose hope they’ll ever be able to escape, noting that great chiefs like Geronimo weren’t able to escape the white man. Runs His Horse is confident they could have, but they wouldn’t leave their people behind. But that’s why they’ll escape, because they’re out of people to leave behind; they’re the last ones still fighting.

Beg, steal, fight

Just because Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) made her train after being robbed in New York doesn’t mean things are getting any easier. She realizes her ticket does not cover meal service, so after pleading with the porter he helps her get a job as a waitress in the dining car where she can work off her meals.

Her first shift goes all right until she accidentally spills on a man when the train rattles. He wants her to dab him dry, grabbing her hand and placing it over his privates. Alex is able to pull away, but she is clearly rattled.

When Alex returns to her cabin, the young mother she shares the room with tells her this experience is forcing Alex to realize there is no royalty in America; you have to make, marry or steal your way to a better life. Ultimately, she doesn’t think Alex has what it takes, hoping she bought a return ticket. Alex asks why the mother thinks she’s cut out for it? The mother says she’s not concerned for herself, she’s only concerned for her two sons, believing mothers can endure anything.

Alex is back to work for breakfast. There she serves an English couple. Paul (Augie Prew) and Hillary (Janet Montgomery), discussing the world’s events, who pick up where in England Alex is from and correctly guess she is on an American adventure despite her parents’ protests. The husband says he admires her spirit and gives her a nice tip.

Unfortunately, Alex also is forced to serve the same man she spilled on, and this time he goes even further. Purposefully moving his cup to the edge of the table so Alex has to stand as close as possible to him, he puts his hand up her skirt and touches her privates as she pours him coffee. Alex freezes, a tear rolling down her face, until she can’t hold back any longer. She bashes the man’s face with the pot, leaving him bloodied on the floor.

Alex is put into a holding cell on the train. She explains the man assaulted her to the conductor and manager, but Alex’s fate is going to be up to the Chicago police now.

Spencer’s lucky break

Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) is resting under a tree when he is woken by Marshal Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter), who wants to know what he’s doing out there. When he says he’s trying to get back to Montana, she is suspicious of all these people from Montana roaming around, so she wants to bring Spencer in to confirm his identity. If he’s telling the truth they’ll put him on a train to Montana.

At the sheriff’s office in Amarillo, Texas, Fossett calls Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick), who not only confirms he knows Spencer but says he is a Medal of Honor winner (something Spencer didn’t even know). McDowell talks with Spencer, warning him about coming back just to start a war. But as Spencer understands it the war has already started, and he wants revenge against the men who killed his brother (John Dutton, played by James Badge Dale in season 1, in case you needed reminding). When McDowell speaks with Fossett again, he compels her to find a way to detain Spencer to keep him from causing trouble, but Fossett says she can’t detain a person for what he might do. After they hang up she tells Spencer he is free to go.

Making good on getting him a ticket, Spencer boards a train for Montana. Though he can’t help but ask the ticket attendant what else has changed about America since he was away fighting for it?

Skirting the law

Banner (Jerome Flynn), Clyde (Brian Konowal) and another cowboy check out the “train station.” Banner explains how there’s no judge or jury, making it the perfect place to put all the Duttons after they kill them. But the first body they dump belongs to Cindy, Whitfield’s former sex worker.

Related, Whitfield’s other lady, Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers), heads into Boseman to find a replacement for Cindy. She sets her sights on a blonde, explaining that with Whitfield she’ll make in one night what she would typically make in a month. All she has to do is deal with Whitfield’s “big appetite” and the “theater” he enjoys in the bedroom (underselling the depravity just a bit). Giving her a kiss to help seal the deal (a same-sex display that likely would have been illegal at the time), Lindy convinces the blonde to join her.

Alex gains an ally

After arriving at the Chicago station, the police are ready to arrest Alex for assaulting the man based on his version of the story alone (he said Alex was his girl and she was jealous thinking he had other women). But the British couple Paul and Hillary from the train come to Alex’s defense, testifying the man sexually assaulted her and Alex was only defending herself. With this info, Alex is uncuffed and ultimately the man is arrested.

Alex immediately has to go from dealing with her assaulter to dealing with a potential thief, as she spots the mother on the platform trying to make off with her things. Alex runs her down and takes it all back. The woman says Alex will understand if she ever has children. But Alex already does, putting the woman’s hand on her stomach to signal she’s pregnant.

Though she avoided catastrophe with those situations, Alex gets hit again when she sees her next train has been cancelled because of snow on the tracks, with no idea when it will depart. This leads to Alex breaking down in the station lobby, until she runs into the British couple once again. They invite her to stay with them and get a much needed respite from her adventure. Alex accepts.

Shootout on the plains

As Pete continues to search for water, he eventually spots a deer, which leads him to a small pond. Unfortunately, Renaud and Kent also found the pond. They spot Pete and immediately give chase.

But because Pete wasn’t able to get his horse water, it eventually collapses due to exhaustion. He scrambles to get his rifle to defend himself as Kent quickly approaches. The two open fire on one another but we don’t see who wins this shootout, forcing us to wait until the next episode.

New episodes of 1923 season 2 premiere Sundays on Paramount Plus.

The development of the land where the Yellowstone Ranch sits on was a consistent plotline in the flagship Yellowstone series. Now it’s one for its prequel, as 1923 season 2 episode 4 depicts.

Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) hosts a group of investors to pitch them his big idea — a ski resort (along with an airport and a road going through Paradise Valley). When Banner (Jerome Flynn) reminds him that his plan goes through the Dutton’s land, Whitfield tells him it’s time to build their army to take down the Duttons.

Even as the Duttons finally get some good news in this episode, this looming threat and narration from Elsa (Isabel May) about how the hope of spring/summer always gets hit again with another devastating blanket of snow warns us there’s always something coming for this family at some point. But for now, here’s what happened in 1923 season 2 episode 4.

First, the good news

As foreshadowed in the previous episode, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) was indeed robbed in the women’s bathroom, with the thief taking her money and her friend’s bracelet. Though this is clearly awful and could cause some problems if Alex needs money on the rest of her journey, she at least doesn’t compound the issue by missing the train, as she rushes and leaps on just at the last minute to ensure she continues her journey to Montana.

Speaking of the ranch, Dr. Miller (Mark Daneri) performs the procedure on Zane (Brian Geraghty), having to knock him out with chloroform and strap him down so he can drill into his head. Unfortunately, the chloroform doesn’t last long enough and Zane wakes up screaming in pain. While that complicates things, Dr. Miller is able to complete the procedure and bandage Zane up. When Zane sits up the pain he was feeling has eased, he’s even able to get up and walk, meaning the procedure was a success. He quickly asks Jacob (Harrison Ford) if they’re going to go after who did this to them? Jacob confirms that’s the plan.

Of course, Dr. Miller still has one other patient in the Dutton house, Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph). When Jack (Darren Mann) tries to tell Elizabeth what happened with Zane, she says she doesn’t want to see him unless it’s about her getting her rabies shot, allowing her to be one step closer to leaving.

Jacob decides to talk with Elizabeth to see if he can help the situation. He understands her situation, admitting this winter has been extremely hard and that even he's tempted to leave and come back in June. But he tells her Jack couldn’t accept her request to leave the ranch with her, as that would mean abandoning his family and his way of life while they’re under attack. He hopes she understands that and that she will choose to come back to Jack when the winter is over. Elizabeth thanks Jacob for his understanding.

It’s then time for Elizabeth’s next shot. It causes her intense pain still, which alarms Cara (Helen Mirren). It turns out there’s a reason Elizabeth is having these reactions — she’s pregnant. With this news her spirit is lifted and she has a renewed reason to stay. Jack is of course enthusiastic when he hears.

Cara, happy but cautious after Elizabeth’s previous lost pregnancy, asks Dr. Miller if there’s any threat to the baby from the vaccines, but the doctor assures Cara there is no risk with the vaccine impacting the pregnancy.

Blackmail

Checking in with Spencer (Brandon Sklenar), he is walking along the roadside to Fort Worth when a police car pulls up alongside him. The sheriff tells Spencer to get in the car, telling him he can be arrested for vagrancy or simply be driven to the train station. Turns out the deal is worse than that.

The sheriff takes Spencer into the woods where other officers are waiting with the truck he and Luca were transporting the booze in. The sheriff tells him that Luca spilled all the beans before he died, so Spencer’s choice is spend the next five years in jail for bootlegging or help them run a sting operation by delivering the truck to its destination, after which Spencer would be free to go. That not being a real choice, Spencer agrees, driving the truck once again with an officer in the front and others hidden in the back.

When they get to the drop off, one of the other bootleggers asks where Luca is? The officer says he killed him and then shoots and kills the bootlegger too. The other officers bust out of the truck and attack the criminals, while the rest of the officers arrive to help. As chaos goes on around him, the sheriff reneges on his deal and cuffs Spencer to the steering wheel of the truck. Spencer is able to grab his things and shoot the handcuffs off. He drives the truck into the police cars to make them unusable and then takes off for the train station.

Though the sheriff gives chase, Spencer is able to hop onto a train. Unfortunately, there are other vagabonds in the boxcar he chose, two men and a young girl, who demand a train tax. Even though Spencer has no food or money, they warn he’ll have to pay something. Spencer takes out his rifle to stave them off, but the man who calls himself the Tax Collector, says sooner or later Spencer will fall asleep, and that’s when they’ll get him.

Escaping the law

Banner returns home to tell his wife of the opportunity that lay at their feet if they work with Whitfield, but that it also means they would have to destroy another family (the Duttons) to take it. He is clearly conflicted, but his wife tells him that is how wealth has been built throughout history. Now it’s their turn to, as they say, “steal a castle.”

Returning to discuss things with Whitfield, the scheming businessman reveals a new detail to use in their plans. He shows Banner there’s a county on the border of Montana and Wyoming that consists of no town, has no sheriff or population, meaning no trial, no jury. However Banner gets rid of the Duttons, this is where to drop them. And thus, the “train station” was born.

We also learn the first body dumped there, as Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers) reveals she accidentally killed Christy (Cailyn Rice) in their "rough housing." Whitfield tells Banner to dump Christy’s body at the train station, calling it practice.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Teonna (Aminah Nieves), Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) and Pete (Jeremy Gauna) help the cowboys herd cattle. When they’re done they eat at the fairgrounds where a rodeo is going to take place. While checking out the arena, Teonna sees a wanted poster with her face on it. They’re all over the place, meaning they will have to be on the run again

The train tax

After staying up all night, Spencer appears to have outlasted the Tax Collector. Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Spencer gives in and nods off. However, the Tax Collector was just faking, as he quickly wakes up and gets the others.

They slowly approach Spencer, with the young girl placing a blade at his knife while the Tax Collector moves to grab Spencer's rifle. This wakes Spencer, but the Tax Collector thinks they have him dead to rights. Spencer removes that idea as in a flash he grabs the girl’s hand and pulls the blade away from him, then pushes the gun in the direction of the Tax Collector and fires, killing him. Spencer is then able to kill the other man and knock out the young girl.

But that’s the end of the train for him. He jumps off and continues his journey home on foot once again.

New episodes of 1923 premiere Sundays on Paramount Plus.

Yellowstone, one of the biggest TV shows of the last 10 years, is over, but the great thing about streaming is that shows are usually readily available to rewatch whenever you want them. With that in mind, March 16 marks a special day as now the entirety of Yellowstone, from Yellowstone season 1 episode 1 to the Yellowstone series finale, is now available to stream in one place, as Peacock has officially added Yellowstone season 5 part 2.

After the first half of Yellowstone season 5 premiered in the last few weeks of 2022 (and first day of 2023), strikes and the surprise of Kevin Costner leaving the series delayed Yellowstone season 5 part 2 for more than 20 months. But the final six episodes finally aired on Paramount Network in November 2024, and now those episodes are available to stream exclusively on Peacock (subscription required).

In case you’ve been holding out on the entire run of Yellowstone episodes to figure out what this show is and start watching, here’s a quick summary: created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone centers on the Dutton family, who own one of the largest ranches in the US that surrounds the iconic Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The Duttons must fight to protect their ranch and their way of life from various challengers, usually by whatever means necessary.

In addition to Costner, Yellowstone stars Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie J. Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Mo Brings Plenty, Ryan Bingham and Jen Landon.

One unfortunate thing about Yellowstone’s streaming situation is that its prequel series that detail the stories of previous generations of the Dutton family, 1883 and 1923 (1923 season 2 is currently releasing new episodes weekly), are not on Peacock, but Paramount Plus. The reason for the split is that when Yellowstone first started streaming, Paramount Plus was not around, so the show was licensed to Peacock for streaming, and it still holds those rights. So if you’re a completist and want to watch all of them, that will require an additional subscription to Paramount Plus.

The interesting question though may be what happens with what right now is simply being referred to as Yellowstone season 6, a potential continuation/spinoff? If it's officially considered a new series it would presumably head to Paramount Plus, but TBD.

That’s all down the line though. If you want to watch any or all of the flagship Yellowstone series, then Peacock is the place to do it right now.

If you ever have complaints about traveling these days, 1923 season 2 episode 3 is here to remind you how much worse it was 100 years ago.

Titled “Wrap Thee for Terror,” (my suggested alternate title is “Plains, Trains and Automobiles”) a large chunk of the episode focuses on Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) and her experiences, though Spencer (Brandon Sklenar), Jacob (Harrison Ford), Zane (Brian Geraghty) and even Kent (Jamie McShane) and Renaud (Sebastian Roche) have their own troubles.

Of course modern travel isn’t the only thing we should all be thankful for after watching this episode of 1923; how far we’ve come medically is a relief compared to some of the examinations and treatments rendered in this episode.

Read on to get the details on this with our recap of 1923 season 2 episode 3.

Welcome to New York

Pretty much half of the episode is devoted to Alex as she arrives in New York City. Though before she can take the next step to Montana, she must first go through immigration processing on Ellis Island, the famed entryway many used in the early 20th century coming to America. But the historic halls don’t roll out the red carpet.

She is forced to go through multiple medical examinations that are actually quite demeaning — at one point she even gets punched in the stomach for possibly being a bit too cute with a response — and at times unsanitary, including a doctor examining her private areas without gloves. Ultimately, the doctor’s discover she is pregnant. That could mean deportation, as Alex learned from others as she was waiting, as its assumed she wouldn't be able to work. Another woman tells Alex she can always bribe the officials or trade what nature gave her to secure her entry into the country, but as we know Alex, that’s not something she’ll lower herself to do.

At long last, Alex sees the immigration official (Mike Mizwicki) that will decide her fate. With no marriage license to show, the man doesn’t believe Alex is actually heading to Montana to meet up with her husband, calling it a dime store fiction. If she wants to get in she has to show she can work. When the man tests to see if she can read, Alex has finally had enough. Given a Walt Whitman book, instead of just reading the beginning she finds a particular passage to show up the man. She then calls out he has lipstick from one of the woman he previously interviewed, with Alex advising he wipe it off before going home to his wife. Having been sufficiently shown up, the official approves Alex’s entry.

Of course getting into America was just step one, now she has to figure out how to get to Montana. Though she meets a kind vendor who gives her a map and gets her a cab to Grand Central Terminal, he also warns her about the dangers of the city, particularly those looking to steal what she has. The same happens at the train station, as the salesman offers some helpful tips about her route and staying safe until she boards the train.

They also try to tell Alex how cold it is going to be in Montana, but she continuously brushes them off, confident England’s cold is comparable. As we’ve seen from everything going on in Montana, Alex is probably in for a rude awakening on that front.

The cold hard truth

Experiencing that kind of cold first-hand is Jacob and the rest of the cowboys on their way back from Boseman. Though they survived the night in the wagon, they need to find the horses and get a fire going so they don’t freeze. Though briefly suggesting they leave him behind, Zane tells Jacob to use the wagon for fire wood, as he’ll tough it out and sit a horse the rest of the way to the ranch.

At the ranch, Cara (Helen Mirren), who killed the rabid wolf, now has to give some hard lessons to Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), who still fights getting the rabies shot. Cara gives her a good slap and tells her the alternative is being shot when the rabies drive her mad, admonishing her to start acting like a grown woman. Elizabeth relents, but shows she still has some spirit by standing to receive the shot.

Thankfully the doctor is still at the ranch when Jacob and company arrive with Zane. The doctor diagnoses Zane as suffering from a subdural hematoma, a swelling in his brain, which needs to be drained or it will kill him. However, the doctor doesn’t have any anesthesia on him, so Zane will have to go through the procedure awake and feeling all the pain.

Jack( Darren Mann), meanwhile, is faced with some emotional pain, as he finds Elizabeth packing to head back to Boston. She doesn’t want this kind of life and if Jack wants to remain her husband he needs to come with her to Boston. When it's time for another shot from Cara, Elizabeth counts down its just eight more shots until she can leave.

Cops and robbers

We get a quick check with Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) as he finds the rancher who not only gives him, Teonna and Pete permission to camp, but offers them a wage if they help keep track of the cattle as they move across the plains. Good deal all around for now.

Things aren’t so rosy for their pursuers, Kent and Renaud. The tribe that Kent has been antagonizing gets Marshal Fossett (Jennifer Carpenter) to come investigate the scene where Kent killed the boys who attacked in the night. Discovering tracks going east, Fossett urges the tribe to leave it to her so justice can be served, but the tribe isn’t interested in justice, they want vengeance. So it’ll be a question of who finds Kent and Renaud — who set off on a new course toward Mexico in search of Teonna — first.

The law also becomes an issue for Spencer and Luca (Andy Dispensa). As they’re driving, Spencer notices a road block ahead. He stops the car and gets a closer look on foot, seeing these aren’t the kind of officers you can bribe. They search for a different way to Fort Worth, but Spencer decides they need to ditch the truck, not wanting to risk his life for booze. Luca, however, isn’t going to let down his cousin, despite Spencer’s pleas for him to forget it. They go their separate ways, but as Spencer is walking he hears gunfire. Sure enough, Luca was not able to bribe the officers, and when he opts for violence they end up killing him.

The episode ends with Alex narrating a letter to Spencer, saying she is on her way to Billings and thinks in a week she’ll be at the ranch. She hopes they’re done proving how much they love each other, and wonders what more calamities they could face? On cue, as Alex goes to the ladies room to refresh, a man that has all the trappings of a thief eyes her and follows her in, almost certainly looking to rob her.

New episodes of 1923 season 2 premiere Sundays on Paramount Plus.

Winter hits hard in 1923 season 2 episode 2, as Elsa Dutton’s (Isabel May) narration hauntingly details. But before we get to that, Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) discovers some of the fun of winter.

Driving with Banner (Jerome Flynn), Whitfield spots a group of Norwegians skiing. Banner believes the men are crazy, but Whitfield is intrigued. When he meets with them he asks them to explain skiing to him. They call it the closest thing man can have to flying, but easy enough for anyone to learn. Banner doesn’t understand Whitfield’s interest, so Whitfield explains that people seek out the euphoria of peril, the exhilaration of danger, and with skiing he sees a way to sell it to them. Banner later admits to his mole Clyde (Brian Konowal) that this kind of insight into people makes him fear Whitfield more than any other man.

But while Banner worries about the dangers that Whitfield brings, just about everyone else is more concerned with the dangers of nature in 1923 season 2 episode 2. Read on for a full recap.

Nature’s fury

Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) are able to convince the judge (Patrick Burch) overseeing Zane’s case to release Zane and his family into Jacob’s custody, keeping them on the ranch. They secure the deal with a little blackmail as the judge has a stash of liquor during prohibition.

Not wanting to stay in town another night despite an oncoming storm, Jacob goes to the hospital to collect Zane (Brian Geraghty). Zane is distraught though, believing he can’t walk and will be bedridden the rest of his life. Jacob explains that all of this is Whitfield’s doing, but promises Zane come the spring they’ll get the chance to strike back. Only if there is any of them left, Zane worries.

That’s a bit prescient, as things aren’t going too well up at the ranch right now. When Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph) goes to the chicken coop she discovers all of the chickens have been killed, courtesy of a wolf still residing there. She runs but the wolf gives chase, biting her in the leg and causing her to fall. Before the wolf can attack again a cowboy scares the wolf off by shooting his gun. When brought back to the house, Cara (Helen Mirren) worries the wolf was rabid and has the cowboy fetch the doctor.

Surprising leaders

Teonna (Aminah Nieves) and Pete (Jeremy Gauna) tells Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) about the cowboy they ran into and how this place may be safe for them to stay. Runs His Horse is a bit nervous, as the rancher may not be as friendly as they think. But he agrees to check it out, telling Teonna and Pete to stay there until he gets back.

Up in Oklahoma, Renaud (Sebastian Roche), Kent (Jamie McShane) and Thomas (Crain) continue their search for Teonna, stopping in Anadarko, Okla., to speak with the Marshal there. To Kent’s surprise, however, the Marshal is a woman (Jennifer Carpenter), which he begrudgingly deals with to get her help in creating sketches of Teonna to put on wanted posters. Before they leave though, the Marshal warns them that the Comanche in the area will only respect the badge if they are shown respect in return.

Of course we know Kent did not do that with his actions in 1923 season 2 episode 1, so at night when the three of them are camped they are attacked. Thomas is killed by an arrow, while Kent and Renaud are able to take cover and regroup. Kent gives Renaud a gun, telling the priest to use it if they want to survive. They are able to kill their attackers, but Renaud is troubled when he sees one of them was a young boy. Kent is confident though that all they have to do is ask for forgiveness from God and they’ll be in the clear.

A dangerous ally?

Spencer (Brandon Skelnar) arrives back on US soil when he and Luca (Andy Dispensa) come ashore in Galveston, Texas, delivering goods to Luca’s relative, Maceo (Gilles Marini). Maceo thanks Spencer for saving Luca and invites him to be his guest. While Spencer enjoys a nice meal (including trying pizza for the first time), he wants to be on his way quickly. Maceo has other ideas though, having his men grab Spencer, forcefully, and bring him back.

Maceo is disappointed that Spencer wasn’t willing to accept his hospitality. But Spencer explains that he doesn’t have time for hospitality, as he needs to get back to Montana to help his family fight for their land. Maceo understands this and sympathizes with this, but promises that he can help Spencer in his quest.

Spencer is given the task of transporting whiskey to Fort Worth with Luca, along with some money and a gun in case he runs into trouble with the police. Once he does that he can take the truck and head to Montana, with Maceo's gratefulness behind him.

Meanwhile, Spencer’s other half, Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) is on her way to the US, but the trip is rough as her ship is tossed about on the water

Surviving, not living

Jacob’s decision to head back to the ranch in the middle of a blizzard is coming back to bit them, as they have to take refuge in some pines, let the horses go and flip the wagon to use as shelter. And yet, Cara and Elizabeth may still be having a worse time at the ranch.

Though the doctor arrives to treat Elizabeth, she is not thrilled when he suggests giving her a vaccine in her stomach to combat the possibility of rabies; Elizabeth has to be held down as she fights to get the shot. When Cara talks to her after, Elizabeth says though she loves Jack (Darren Mann), she can’t continue with this way of life, calling it surviving, not living. Cara tries to convince her to see the splendor of spring, but Elizabeth says when the storm ends she is going back to her parents.

Elizabeth’s point gets even more evidence that night. Cara is awoken by a noise. With her rifle in hand, she inspects the house and finds the door to the living room — where the nurse that came with the doctor was sleeping — is open, with snow blowing in. The wolf found its way in, killing the nurse. Cara shoots her gun as the wolf leaps, but we don’t see if she hit the animal as the episode ends.

New episodes of 1923 premiere Sundays on Paramount Plus.

In the opening narration for 1923 season 2 episode 1, Cara (Helen Mirren) says they are “like the bear,” hibernating in winter as they await spring. But the hibernation of 1923 is finally over as the Yellowstone prequel returns after two years.

Things were not great when we last left the Duttons in the 1923 season 1 finale, as Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) amassed power to threaten the ranch, making a series of moves around Jacob (Harrison Ford) paying his taxes and arresting their loyal ranch hand Zane (Brian Geraghty) because he was illegally married to an Asian woman. Across the Atlantic, Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) and Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) were separated after Spencer accidentally killed a man in self defense, leaving them each to fend for themselves as they attempt to get to Montana to reunite.

How will those storylines play out, and what new ones will arise in 1923 season 2? Here’s how things got started with our full recap of the season 2 premiere.

Heading to court

Jacob, Jack (Darren Mann) and a group of cowboys are readying to head to Boseman for Zane’s trial. Cara is a little worried with all the potential dangers on the trip to town (and probably those in town as well), but Jacob promises her this won’t be the last time that he sees her face.

That is challenged pretty quickly when Jacob steps onto the porch, where a mountain lion has taken up residence. Jacob slowly pulls his gun, making sure he is ready in case the lion has come looking for its next meal. When Jacob takes a step toward it though the lion runs off.

Whitfield has less to worry about as he eagerly awaits the trial. In fact, he is thoroughly enjoying the wait and his hope how this could be a critical blow to the Duttons in his own sadistic way. Similarly, Banner (Jerome Flynn) is optimistic about what the trial could mean for him and his family, even if his wife is skeptical of the kind of man that Whitfield is. Banner admits he'll lay with the devil (in this case Whitefield) if it helps secure a better life and future for his family.

The search for Teonna

Father Renaud (Sebastian Roche), Marshal Kent (Jamie McShane) and Marshal Thomas (Ross Crain) have made their way down to Comanche territory in Oklahoma looking for Teonna (Aminah Nieves). As they come upon a Comanche camp site, Kent quickly makes it clear he'll run roughshod over anyone who stands in his way of finding Teonna. He kills multiple Comanche and then holds a child hostage as he tries to get answers, though the people say they have not seen Teonna.

Renaud is taken aback by Kent’s actions, asking him to release the child in the name of God. Kent obliges, but as he gets back on his horse he tells Renaud he is the will of God, and he won’t be stopped. He then runs over the child with his horse, and tells the Comanche people to spread the word they are looking for Teonna. If he learns any of them attempt to help her, after he finds Teonna Kent will come back and deal with them.

Teonna is still with her rescuers from the end of season 1, Runs His Horse (Michael Spears) and Pete Plenty Clouds (Jeremy Gauna, who replaces Cole Brings Plenty after the latter actor’s passing between seasons). After Runs His Horse imparts some lessons to Teonna about how the government has turned their people into beggars, he brings up how she and Pete have a connection. Teonna doesn’t deny it, admitting she would like for Pete to take her hand. Runs His Horse says that can be arranged, but tells them any extracurricular activity needs to be held off until after the ceremony. Teonna asks if he waited until after the ceremony? He admits no, acknowledging that it’s at least something you have to say.

Teonna isn’t interested in waiting either, as she finds Pete by the river and begins to undress. They go to a secluded place and begin to kiss, but Teonna quickly notices a rider on a ridge above them. She worries he may find her clothes she left behind, so Pete goes to grab them before the mysterious rider discovers them and gets suspicious.

Just as Pete grabs the clothes, the lone cowboy (Cody Lore) comes up on him. However, he is friendly enough, assuming Pete is just on a hunt. He explains that they are actually on a private ranch in Texas, but the owner has always been kind to Comanche who come to hunt and camp on their old land. After the cowboy leaves, Pete fills Teonna in on the details, and feeling that they are safe, picks up where they left off.

The difficult journey west

We find Spencer slowly making his way home working on a ship, shoveling coal in the engine room with a young Italian man named Luca (Andy Dispensa). As the crew sleeps, Spencer is awoken by a noise. Checking it out, he sees a man raping Luca. Spencer pulls the man off and beats him up, only stopping when the captain arrives, who ends the situation by killing the rapist.

A day or so later, when Luca does not show up to work in the engine room, Spencer goes looking for him. Finding a note on his bed, he realizes Luca is planning on killing himself, throwing himself overboard. However, Spencer is able to talk him off, saving him once again.

Alex, meanwhile, is the one in need of some help back in England. Prevented from trying to rejoin Spencer by her parents, Alex turns to her friend Jennifer (Jo Ellen Pellman), revealing to her she's pregnant with Spencer’s child and that she is determined to reunite with him. She gives Jennifer jewelry to sell to book her passage on a ship; second class so she can avoid any familiar connections that may try and stop her. Jennifer succeeds, and sees Alex off at the dock.

Back on Spencer’s boat, Luca and Spencer get to know each other, including Spencer explaining how he needs money to get back home to Montana to help his family. Luca suggests he fight for the money, but Spencer only fights for survival. When Luca points out that since he needs money to get back home, fighting for money is fighting for his family’s survival. Spencer likes that logic.

Luca sets up Spencer’s first fight against a massive sailor, but Spencer makes quick work of him. Another sailor quickly challenges Spencer, and while the fight is tougher, Spencer wins that one as well. In total, he quickly wins $420, which should be enough to get him home. Perfect timing too, as the boat appears to be arriving in the US as Spencer spots lights in the distance when he heads up to the deck of the ship.

Lions and wolves

In Boseman, Jacob meets up with Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) at a speakeasy, who gives him the lowdown on Zane’s case. They know that Whitfield is behind it, with McDowell warning Jacob to have his affairs in order, as Whitfield is looking to knock all of Jacob’s chess pieces off the board.

While Jacob has Whitfield to deal with, there are other predators causing problems at the ranch. Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), excited that the sun is shining, goes out to enjoy it on the porch. However, when Cara comes to find her for breakfast she sees Elizabeth is terrified through the window, as the mountain lion is back. Just as it prepares to pounce, Cara shoots and kills it through the window.

The voice of Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) returns with some life lessons, saying “winter is the killing season,” where the hunters seek out the weak and foolish. But it’s not just lions. Cara hears howling in the woods around the ranch. Wolves. Meaning they are likely not done defending themselves.

New episodes of 1923 premiere Sundays on Paramount Plus.

Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga is finally getting its moment on Netflix. The big-budget western was sadly one of the notable flops of 2024, both critically and commercially, but now with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 streaming on Netflix, viewers are devoting their time to it. After being added to Netflix on December 30, the movie has been one of the more popular titles on the platform, including ranking as the second-most watched movie on January 6.

According to the official synopsis for the movie, Horizon: An American Saga “explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865.” Chapter 1 introduced us to a large ensemble of characters, whose journeys and relationships Costner planned to tell in four movies. In fact, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 has already been filmed.

So, if you watched and enjoyed Horizon: An American Saga on Netflix, you may be asking when you’ll be able to see Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 premiere? That’s where things get tricky.

Initially, the wait was not going to be long between the two movies, as Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema dated Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 for June 28, 2024, and Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 just a few weeks later on August 16, 2024. However, because of the movie’s struggles at the box office, Chapter 2 was pulled from its planned release date, with the studios behind the movie saying they wanted to give Chapter 1 time to find its audience through on-demand and streaming platforms.

That is apparently being accomplished right now. So is there any update on Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2’s release date? Not yet.

The second part of Costner’s epic western screened at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, where sadly the few reviews written on it weren’t any better than the ones Chapter 1 received. As of publication, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 does not have an official release date and it is not listed in Warner Bros. 2025 movie preview packet. That doesn’t mean that it won’t premiere in 2025, but there’s no indication that it will right now.

Costner has reportedly said he wanted to begin filming Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 sometime in 2025, but whether or not that happens could depend on how Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 does in theaters, if it gets a release at all (a straight to streaming release can’t be ruled out, though again, that’s just speculation at this time).

Will Kevin Costner get the chance to show the rest of his passion project to audiences around the world? That will be one of the more interesting storylines to watch in 2025.

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is now streaming on Netflix and Max in the US; it is available to rent via digital on-demand platforms worldwide.

Whatever the future may hold for Yellowstone (as a Yellowstone season 6/spinoff seems more and more likely), the Yellowstone season 5 ending definitely signaled the end of an era for the cable western that has become one of the most popular shows on television.

Yellowstone season 5 episode 14 began with a group of indigenous people from Rainwater’s (Gil Birmingham) reservation, led by Mo (Mo Brings Plenty), taking on a secretive mission. Kind of like their own Boston Tea Party, dumping sections of pipe that were set to be used for the pipeline on the reservation into the lake. As Mo tells Rainwater later, they won’t be found (or at least not retrievable). But that’s just a small (and honestly ultimately inconsequential) part of this massive, nearly hour and a half episode to close out Yellowstone season 5.

Read on for our full breakdown of what happened right here.

Making plans

Following the auction at the ranch, the cowboys are having a good time and making plans for what’s next. Teeter (Jen Landon) has something specific in mind, asking Travis (Taylor Sheridan) for a job in Texas, which she ultimately gets.

Beth (Kelly Reilly), meanwhile, shows Rip (Cole Hauser) a piece of land they could move to. Rip says he could make it work, which is good, because Beth already bought it. When Rip asks who then is going to run the Yellowstone, she tells him she’ll explain it all tomorrow.

However, that is put a bit on hold, as Beth gets the call that John’s body is ready for the funeral. Beth wants to have it as soon as Rip and the cowboys can dig the grave, which is that afternoon. Beth then makes calls letting the small group of people she wants to attend.

Securing the Yellowstone’s future

Rainwater and Mo arrive at Kayce’s (Luke Grimes) house, not knowing why he has invited them. Having Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and Tate (Brecken Merrill) sit in on the conversation, Kayce explains his vision from the end of Yellowstone season 4 showed him two paths, one that would save his family and one to save the ranch. He thought that choosing one would mean the end of the other, but he now realizes it meant he could only save one, but Rainwater can save the other.

Kayce points out his ancestors bought the Yellowstone land for $1.25 per acre, so that is the deal he offers Rainwater to buy the ranch from him ($1.1 million). He has two conditions, that Kayce’s family be allowed to keep the land their house sits on and that Rainwater never develop or sell the Yellowstone. Rainwater agrees.

Rainwater remembers he once threatened John that if he got the land back he would remove any evidence the Duttons had ever been there. But as generations of the Duttons are buried on the land, alongside generations of Rainwater’s people, Rainwater says they will treat all of it as sacred. They make a blood oath to symbolically seal the deal, while Mo performs a chant to commemorate the moment.

Laying John to rest

After finishing digging the grave, Rip tells Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) about the land Beth bought, saying they have room for him if he wants. However, Lloyd decides if he can’t cowboy on the Yellowstone he’d rather not do it at all. Rip tells him their door is always open.

As everyone readies for the funeral (save for Jamie [Wes Bentley], who was unsurprisingly not invited and practices his press conference), Beth takes a few shots before speeding down to meet everyone in her car. Rainwater is there, hoping Beth doesn’t mind as he was with Kayce when she called him. She doesn’t, calling him the protector of John’s legacy now.

John’s casket is laid in the barn. Beth goes to it and with tears in her eyes tells her father they won; there may not be cows on the land moving forward, but there won’t be condos either. She says he can rest now.

At the grave, the preacher invites Beth to lay a flower on the casket and say goodbye. She has something else in mind though, whispering that she will avenge John. Others follow. Kayce forgives John; Lynelle (Wendy Moniz) wore her tightest skirt for him; Rainwater promises to protect the land; and the cowboys one by one say silent goodbyes.

Rip is the last, but instead of placing a flower he picks up a shovel, intending to be the one who fills in the grave. The preacher asks if Rip wants him to stay? Rip says they’re all good on prayer, if John isn’t in heaven by now he’s never going to be or there isn’t a heaven. When Rip finishes filling in the grave, he thanks John for everything he did for him and promises to love and take care of Beth.

Beth’s revenge

Rip has his hands full immediately on that promise, as Beth is not waiting to enact her revenge. She speeds off from the ranch, and while it takes a little bit for Rip to figure out where she is going, he eventually puts it together. He brings Lloyd along as they drive after her. He calls her on the way, trying to convince her to pull over, but Beth is determined, saying she made a promise to avenge her father and she is going to keep it. We all can guess what that means.

After Jamie’s (Wes Bentley) press conference that is widely praised, he heads home on a high. However, Beth is waiting for him. She sprays him with bear spray and beats him, though Jamie fights back. During the fight, Jamie taunts Beth that he is going to set her up for the murders of John and Sarah, then turn the ranch into a resort. But Beth fills him in that they’ve already sold the ranch, meaning Jamie’s plans are ruined. He manages to get his hands around her throat and starts to choke her, but before he can kill her Rip arrives, pulls him off and starts throwing him around the room. Beth tells Rip to hold Jamie, which allows her to stab him in the chest. She makes sure the last thing Jamie sees before he dies is her face. Beth tells Rip to take Jamie’s body to the train station (he also torches Jamie’s car to get rid of any evidence), while Beth calls 9-1-1.

As she is being treated by medics, the detective (Rory Cochrane) working John’s case comes to check out the scene. Another officer tells him Beth gave a statement that she confronted Jamie about not showing up to John’s funeral and her belief he was involved in John’s death. Jamie then knocked her unconscious and when she came to he was gone. The detective asks Beth directly about her accusation of Jamie being involved with John’s death. She tells him to follow the money, which should show that Sarah paid for the killers, but Jamie ordered it. The detective admits he felt Jamie had something to hide. Sure enough, the story soon becomes how Jamie was involved in the crimes from this second half of the season.

A vision realized

Rainwater and Kayce go over the official contract for the Yellowstone deal. Kayce makes sure there’s a section specifically saying the Yellowstone won’t be developed. It goes one better, with the clause saying the Yellowstone can only be traveled on by horse or by foot. Kayce signs, and Rainwater congratulates him for making the worst land deal since his people sold Manhattan. But unlike Manhattan, the Yellowstone will never change.

Kayce heads outside, with a tear of relief streaming down his face. He tells Monica he’s free — free from the ranch and free from the need to be livestock commissioner. They see a wolf outside their fence digging. Mo arrives, saying the wolf is building a den, making a home for himself. Monica jokes she won’t be able to have a chicken coop now, but Mo points out that the wolf isn’t real, it’s part of Kayce’s vision. Mo can see it though because they now share that vision.

Elsewhere, Teeter goes to work for Travis. Also, Ryan (Ian Bohen) finds Abby (Lainey Wilson), telling her he made a mistake not picking her, but he does now; she accepts and they get back together.

A promise seven generations in the making

Rip, Kayce and Beth go through the emptied barn and house. Beth asks if Kayce wants anything, but he says no. She says she’ll keep it in storage in case Tate wants to know more about their story in the future, noting it’s one worth remembering.

As Kayce drives off, Rip and Lloyd are lowering the Yellowstone ranch sign. Rip asks if Kayce wants it? He says no, he’ll create his own brand for his ranch. He gets started on that as he and Tate go to an auction and get their first head of cattle.

The members of the reservation then arrive on the ranch, and begin to deconstruct it so it meets their purposes. Rainwater is brought to tears by the moment. Mo finds a bunch of kids pushing over the Duttons’ tombstones. He tells them to stop, telling them the Duttons protected and died for the land, so their remains will stay untouched. He picks up the tombstones, from Elsa Dutton to John Dutton.

We then hear Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) narrate, as she details the promise her father made that after seven generations the land would return to the indigenous people (which we reminded you about in our Yellowstone ending prediction). She adds: “Raw land, wild land, free land can never be owned. But some men pay dearly for the privilege of its stewardship, they will suffer and sacrifice to live off it and live with it, and hopefully teach the next generation to do the same. And if they falter, find another willing to keep the promise.”

As for the living Duttons, Kayce, Monica and Tate realize their dream and operate a ranch of their own as a family. As for Beth, she and Rip oversee their new land, which is far away from any tourists. As Rip finishes up for the day Beth tells him there’s a bar with a hitching post outside that they can ride up to. He says he’ll saddle their horse to head out.

And that’s a wrap on Yellowstone season 5. The finale was definitely satisfying and felt right for many of the characters. But looking out over the whole season, it definitely felt like a mess. After a meandering first half, the second half took a while to get going and then still forgot or featured underdeveloped plot lines (what happened to the idea of John’s old assistant leaking stuff to the press; the pipeline storyline was completely underwritten; even Jamie felt sidelined for most of these last six episodes). It was likely all a little rushed because of Kevin Costner’s exit, but it does feel like the show found its natural and destined conclusion.

The first four and a half seasons of Yellowstone are available to stream on Peacock (these episodes will hit there eventually) in the US; the show streams on Paramount Plus in the UK.

Has the sun set on Yellowstone? The Yellowstone season 5 finale has officially aired, which has been billed by many as the series finale for the Taylor Sheridan-created western series. However, the show remains one of the most popular cable programs on right now, and fan interest definitely seems to be there for the series to continue. So, is there going to be a Yellowstone season 6?

A lot has been going on behind the scenes of Yellowstone since the first half of season 5 ended back in the early days of 2023. Series star Kevin Costner exited the show between the two halves of the season, which ultimately led to an announcement that Yellowstone would indeed end with the final batch of season 5 episodes. However, then came reports that there was still hope for a Yellowstone season 6, which could focus on fan favorites Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser).

Now that the Yellowstone season 5 finale has aired, where do things officially stand on the future of Yellowstone? Here’s what we know.

Are we getting a Yellowstone season 6?

Paramount has not made an official announcement as of publication, but multiple outlets have reported that Yellowstone is in line to continue. But rather than it being Yellowstone season 6, it would be a spinoff series starring Reilly and Hauser, though it is expected that Yellowstone would remain in the title.

Deadline was the first to report that Reilly and Hauser have closed deals to return as their characters for a spinoff series. This comes after speculation began in August that the two could be brought back to continue their characters’ stories. Right now they are the only confirmed members of the cast, though others from Yellowstone could be added as it continues to be developed.

If many of the same characters are potentially coming back and the story is going to follow the conclusion of Yellowstone season 5, why is the show being described as a spinoff rather than just Yellowstone season 6? The main reason for that likely revolves around who would have the streaming rights to the series.

Despite the show being distributed by Paramount Network, streaming rights for Yellowstone actually belong to NBCUniversal’s Peacock. Any continuation of the main series would mean those future episodes would still land on Peacock for streaming. However, making this upcoming show a new series allows for Paramount to keep it in house and have it stream on Paramount Plus at some point (unclear at this time if the spinoff would air on Paramount Network like its predecessor or become a Paramount Plus original series). That would allow it to join other recent shows created by Sheridan, including Yellowstone prequel 1883, Lioness, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown and more.

This is not the only show that looks to continue on the Yellowstone legacy. Another spinoff, The Madison, had previously been announced. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, the series will focus on new characters but take place in the same universe as Yellowstone. We’re also set to get 1923 season 2, the Yellowstone prequel series that follows past generations of the Dutton family and stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, in February 2025.

Are you excited for a Beth and Rip-led series? Plus what did you think about the Yellowstone season 5 finale? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

When it was announced that Kevin Costner would not be returning for the second half of Yellowstone season 5 and that the popular western series would conclude with that new batch of episodes it was a shock to many. There was immediate speculation about how Costner’s John Dutton, who had been the main character on the series since day one, would be written out and how Taylor Sheridan would decide to bring his story to a conclusion.

The answer to the first part of that question was answered quickly in Yellowstone season 5 episode 9, the first of the second half and first without Costner — John Dutton was assassinated by ex special ops hired by Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri). And as of this Sunday, December 15, we’ll get the answer on how Sheridan chooses to wrap up the fight for the Yellowstone with the possible series finale (reports indicate that Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth, and Cole Hauser, who plays Rip, have closed deals to continue on with their characters, but it looks like that will be a spinoff series, meaning Yellowstone as we know could still officially be coming to an end).

Yellowstone season 5 episode 14 is titled “Life Is A Promise” and has the logline that reads: “The fate of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is revealed.” But if I’m right in my prediction of what will happen in the Yellowstone season 5 finale, then the fate of the ranch may have been revealed already and was likely the planned ending for the show whether or not Costner was still involved.

After Kayce (Luke Grimes) shared his plan in Yellowstone season 5 episode 13 to give the land away, I predict that the ranch will be given to Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and his tribe, returning it to the ancestral owners, who will be in the best position to preserve it as is for future generations. My reasoning behind this is entirely based on a scene from the Yellowstone prequel series 1883.

A Paramount Plus original series that came out back in 2021, 1883 followed James Dutton (Tim McGraw), his wife Margaret (Faith Hill) and their children Elsa (Isabel May) and John (Audie Rick) as they headed west to find land they could call their own. In the 1883 finale, Elsa is dying from an arrow wound. Knowing he can’t save her, James says where they bury her is where they are going to settle.

In Elsa’s final days, they come across an indigenous tribe, whose leader Spotted Eagle (played by Graham Greene) tells James of a valley they describe as “paradise.” The two strike a deal for the Duttons to bury Elsa and settle there, while Spotted Eagle’s people will be allowed to continue hunting there. Spotted Eagle has one other thing though — he tells James that “in seven generations” his people will rise up and take the land back. James doesn’t argue, saying they “can have it.”

That scene was written, shot and aired years before we knew that Costner would be departing the show, but it appears to clearly foreshadow this idea that the indigenous people reclaim the Yellowstone ranch. And right on time, too. Generations are considered 20-30 years, so if we do some simple math, seven generations would be about 140 years. From 1883 to 2024, 141 years have passed. It’s all lining up.

If this does come to pass, it would also be a fitting ending for the show. While Rainwater was one of the main antagonists in Yellowstone season 1, over the years he has become somewhat of an ally for the Duttons, particularly Kayce. This would bring the relationship between the Duttons and the indigenous people full circle.

Of course, there is likely going to be a lot more going on in the Yellowstone season 5 finale than just a potential gifting of the ranch, especially as reports say the episode is one hour and 26 minutes long and is being directed by Sheridan himself. Outside of the ranch, Jamie’s fate is likely to be determined (can he escape jail time?). Meanwhile, Rainwater still has to deal with the pipeline being built on the reservation, which he already previewed as being something his people need to rise up and fight back against. It should be an exciting Yellowstone season 5 (series?) finale.

Yellowstone season 5 episode 14 airs Sunday, December 15, at 8 pm ET/PT on Paramount Network; in the UK it’ll stream on Paramount Plus starting December 16.

The Yellowstone is preparing for the biggest yard sale you’ve ever seen in Yellowstone season 5 episode 13. Beth (Kelly Reilly) is auctioning off just about everything from the ranch that she can in order to be able to pay off mortgages and loans that will in turn help pay off the inheritance tax for the ranch. That includes the horses that Travis (Taylor Sheridan) is training in Texas. But since Beth doesn’t know or trust Travis, she books a flight so she can oversee the sale. Rip (Cole Hauser) warns her about what Travis is like, but she reminds him she can protect herself.

We get a few quick looks at plotlines away from the Yellowstone as well. The first involves Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) lamenting that there is nothing he can do (legally) to stop the pipeline, saying his people have to go to war. Elsewhere, the fallout from Sarah Atwood’s death and involvement in John’s murder hits Market Equities. Meanwhile, Jamie (Wes Betnley) is shocked to hear that evidence he and Sarah were romantically involved has been leaked, but he quickly realizes that it was Beth. He calls his sister/mortal enemy, but despite his threats that exposing him will destroy the Dutton family legacy, Beth reminds him she promised to destroy him, and she keeps her promises.

Read on for our full recap of Yellowstone season 5 episode 13.

Leaving the ranch?

Kayce (Luke Grimes) arrives back at the ranch from his successful mission to scare Grant, telling Monica (Kelsey Asbille) that it was to make sure no one follows them when they walk away from the ranch. Monica is surprised to hear Kayce say they’re leaving, but Kayce says he's been trying to leave the ranch behind his whole life, now he’s determined to do it.

The Yellowstone cowboys that were in Texas also get back to the ranch. Teeter (Jen Landon) immediately goes to the bunkhouse to see what’s left behind of Colby’s. Ryan (Ian Bohen) attempts to follow her, but Walker (Ryan Bingham) offers to go instead, knowing this is not an easy situation for him either as Colby was his best friend.

Teeter is upset that the bunk is empty and at the horse that killed Colby. Walker tells her it won’t help; instead, he offers her the peaceful thought that Colby is getting to do what he loves forever. Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), meanwhile, gives Colby’s hat to Teeter.

Ryan then talks with Rip, asking if they should be looking for jobs with the ranch selling everything off. Only expecting daywork for the foreseeable future, Rip tells him that’s probably a good idea (he plans to keep Lloyd and Carter [Finn Litte] on to try and rebuild the ranch). When Ryan asks for more details about what happened with Colby, Rip says he was just doing his job, being a cowboy.

The art of the deal

In Texas, Beth meets Travis as he is playing strip poker with a bunch of women. Not a great first impression, especially as Travis has missed multiple calls that there are buyers waiting to see the Dutton's horse.

Once at the arena though, Travis shows what value he brings to Beth. In addition to putting on an impressive performance, he shrewdly gets the buyers to pay $3 million for the horse (up from a starting price of $2 million) by using his maintenance crew as decoy buyers.

After seeing this, Beth wants Travis to come up and put on a similar kind of show at the auction on the ranch. Travis points out that he doesn’t make a commission from an auction, but his 10% rate is too steep for Beth. With Beth revealing the tough state they’re in, Travis offers to play strip poker for it: if Beth wins, he comes up to help, no commission; if he wins, Beth takes her clothes off. Beth agrees. She gets a full house, three queens and two nines, but Travis has four aces, meaning he wins. While Beth threatens that Rip will kill him for this, she starts to undress to honor the bet. Travis stops her, saying he was just messing around; of course, he’ll come and help.

When Beth gets back to Montana she asks Rip how he could be friends with a guy like Travis? He explains that years ago Travis was training horses for John and they went to a bar one night. Rip got into a fight with a load of railroad workers, but Travis came to his aid. They still got the crap kicked out of them, but Travis kept a good disposition and then afterward, walked right back into the bar and got his and Rip’s hat, earning the respect (or perhaps fear) of the railroad workers. How many people have friends like that?

Jamie seeks counsel

With the new info connecting him to Sarah out in the world, Jamie goes to talk with Christina (Katherine Cunningham), his ex-girlfriend and mother to his son. He admits that he slept with Sarah, but says he had nothing to do with John’s death. Christina asks if Sarah was involved in John’s death; yes, but Jamie only knew that after it happened. Christina scolds him for not arresting her. But Jamie says he was worried about what the people she hired would do as well as him looking complicit. Christina points out it doesn’t look like it, Jamie is complicit in all this.

Knowing what happens to Jamie could impact their son, Christina offers to help. After getting a complete rundown of the potential pitfalls, Christina tells him to hold a press conference to announce an investigation into Sarah and John’s murders, clarify that he only worked with Sarah on the Market Equities deal and deny reports of their affair, praise John’s work and the greater meaning of his death and promise to do everything to avenge it. He has to do everything he can to show Sarah was guilty, because if she did it, then it all dies with her. She is sure to emphasize to Jamie that this speech will determine his entire future.

Acts of kindness

As the auction gets underway, Monica asks Beth if this will raise enough for the inheritance tax? Beth admits no, but it’ll help with the mortgage payment. However, even that is only temporary. She says they just need to string it along until they can find the right solution. Kayce then tells them that John’s body is ready to be picked up for the funeral. Monica offers to handle it, saying no child should have to do that.

Later, Beth sees Lynelle (Wendy Moniz) at the auction. Knowing the relationship she had with John, she invites her to the funeral, joining the family and the Yellowstone cowboys for an intimate proceeding. Lynelle accepts.

Beth continues her generous overtures with Teeter, inviting her out to the bar to mess with tourists so she can take her mind off Colby for a bit. Beth has lost none of her touch, quickly eviscerating a guy who attempts to pick her up. When Teeter gives it a try, she goes for a more aggressive approach, stepping up on and cussing a guy out until he backs off. Beth realizes this might not be the best game for Teeter. Still, Teeter thanks Beth for taking her out, but the pain remains. Beth says it never goes away; they both have holes in their hearts. How can they fix it, Teeter asks? When Beth figures it out she’ll let her know.

Kayce’s plan

Kayce seems rather upbeat at the auction, which surprises Monica. He explains it’s because he has a plan, one that he believes guarantees the future of the ranch. But he’s not telling anyone just yet.

The official bidding for the auction begins after a nice memorial for John and Colby. All told, the Duttons make $30 million dollars from everything. That’s enough to buy them another year, Beth tells Kayce.

Kayce then has a business question for her: if she sold him her car, which is worth $300,000, for just $1, would that be illegal? She says it’s stupid, but no, it's not illegal. Kayce continues, asking if the sales tax would be based on the worth of the car or the price paid? Beth confirms what it was paid for.

She’s confused by these questions until it hits her — Kayce plans to give the ranch to someone who will presumably keep it preserved as it is. But who? That’s something he’s keeping a secret for now, though I’m sure most of us have a guess (mine is Rainwater). We’ll find out soon enough though.

New episodes of Yellowstone premiere Sundays on Paramount Network in the US; they stream Mondays on Paramount Plus in the UK.

After a long stretch of quiet around the Yellowstone prequel series 1923, Paramount Plus has revealed some major information about the show: 1923 season 2 is set to premiere exclusively on the streaming service starting Sunday, February 23, 2025. But prior to the new season, all of 1923 season 1 is going to air on Paramount Network for the first time, allowing non-Paramount Plus subscribers to experience another saga involving the Dutton family in the early years of the 20th century.

Starting Sunday, December 8, Paramount Network will air episodes of 1923. For December 8 and December 15, 1923 episodes will air immediately following an all-new episode of Yellowstone season 5. The remaining six episodes will then be shown two per week.

Specific airtimes weren’t shared as of publication, but here is the official schedule for 1923 season 1 episodes airing on Paramount Network:

• December 8: 1923 episode 1
• December 15: 1923 episode 2
• December 22: 1923 episode 3 and episode 4
• December 29: 1923 episode 5 and episode 6
• January 5: 1923 episode 7 and episode 8

1923 did air its first episode on Paramount Network back when it premiered in December 2022, but this will be the first time that the entire series has aired on cable TV.

To watch 1923 season 1 on Paramount Network, you must have access to the cable channel. It is included in many traditional pay-TV providers and is carried by live TV streaming services, including Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. Of course, if you are a Paramount Plus subscriber, you can watch 1923 season 1 at your own pace on the streaming service.

If you need a refresher, 1923 stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Jacob and Cara Dutton, who lead the Dutton family and the Yellowstone as the struggles of the early 20th century and the greed of others threaten their land. The series also featured a breakout romance between Brenadn Sklenar’s Spencer Dutton, who, while living abroad, meets Julia Schlaepfer’s Alex. Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, Sebastian Roché and Timothy Dalton rounded out the season 1 cast.

In addition to the announcement of 1923 season 2’s premiere date (which is almost two years exactly to when the season 1 finale debuted), Paramount Plus announced a new cast member in Jennifer Carpenter, though her role was not specified. A synopsis was also shared, check it out right here:

“In the second season of 1923, a cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob and Cara back at Dutton ranch. With harsh conditions and adversaries threatening to end the Dutton legacy, Spencer embarks on an arduous journey home, racing against time to save his family in Montana. Meanwhile, Alexandra sets off on her own harrowing trans-Atlantic journey to find Spencer and reclaim their love.”

You can also watch a teaser for the new season right here:

We’re starting to see more of the ripple effect of John Dutton’s death outside of the immediate family in Yellowstone season 5 episode 12. While Colby (Denim Richards) talks with Teeter (Jen Landon) on the phone, he tells her if she has things she wants to do in the future beyond the ranch, now may be the time to start thinking about them. During this conversation, he lets slip that he loves her, the first time he’s said it. While he tries to awkwardly play it off, she tells him she loves him too.

Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) also talks to Carter (Finn Little) in the bunkhouse about other ranches that could be options to move on to. Rip (Cole Hauser) comes in and tells them they are going to be selling off most of their cattle and horses, only solidifing the worry the ranch may be shutting down. Though Rip says it's an effort to allow the Duttons to pay the inheritance tax on the ranch without having to sell the land.

Elsewhere, the news of John’s death still needs to be shared with Jimmy (Jefferson White). Rip calls Travis (Taylor Sheridan), who is teaching Jimmy how to train horses, and asks if he can tell him (Rip doesn’t have the heart to do it). Jimmy takes the news hard and Travis says he can take the week off. But Jimmy says he’ll take the weekend; John wouldn’t want work to be missed on his account (Jimmy’s character growth has by far been one of the best on the show).

Plenty more happens in Yellowstone season 5 episode 12. Read on for our full recap.

Jamie is panicking

Just as he worried would happen when Sarah Atwood was murdered, the police quickly come to talk to Jamie (Wes Bentley). They are in full investigation mode, and Jamie gets defensive, not allowing them to search his house for Sarah’s belongings, which does him no favors in convincing them he has nothing to do with the situation. They’re coming back with a warrant that Jamie can’t talk his way out of. Once the police are gone, Jamie rushes to destroy evidence before they can come back and find it (yeah, sure that won’t come back to bite him).

Kayce (Luke Grimes) sees the news about Sarah on his phone when he gets a call from the police about it. The police are sure she was targeted, which convinces Kayce she was involved in John’s death. As for Jamie, he’s still not sure yet, but he gives the police the green light to proceed with their investigation, even if it means Jamie will get burned. Kayce then makes a call to his old operative buddy, who gives him the information on Grant (Matt Gerald), the man who planned the ops to kill John.

Kayce fills Beth (Kelly Reilly) in on the situation. She’s worried that if the police arrest Jamie he’ll spill all the dirty secrets about John to save himself. Wanting to protect her father’s legacy, she tells Kayce to leave Jamie to her.

Man eater

One of the horses that Rip is trying to sell is the “man eater,” the young colt that Lloyd hasn’t been able to train. He gets a buyer in Mexico for it and sends Colby back to load the horse up.

Meanwhile, Carter is in the barn tending to the horses when he gets to man eater’s stall, noticing the empty water bucket. Despite being told not to go into the stall alone, Carter wants to do his job, so he carefully walks in and grabs the bucket to refill it. When he tries to return the bucket though the horse gets aggressive and pins Carter in the stall.

Colby arrives and finds Carter in this predicament. He comes into the stall to distract the horse, allowing for Carter to slip out. But the horse then kicks Colby square in the chest and continues to stomp on him. Out of the stall, Carter rushes to get a rifle, shoots and kills the horse. It’s tragically too late. Colby is dead.

Rip has to make another bad call, letting Ryan (Ian Bohen) know that his best friend is dead. Ryan then tells Teeter, who breaks down sobbing at the news that her boyfriend is gone.

After the Yellowstone cowboys load all the cattle in Texas to be sold, they get back in the truck to drive back to Montana. Ryan attempts to console Teeter, telling her that Colby didn’t suffer. But he was a cowboy, she reminds him, suffering is the job. She just wishes he would have suffered a little longer so she could say goodbye.

Dealing with guilt

Beth brings a box to the bunkhouse so they can back up Colby’s things and send them to his mother. But when it comes to his cowboy hat, Lloyd asks if she can leave that, noting it would be good if Teeter had something to find when she got back.

Beth then goes looking for Carter, who she finds in the tackroom. She knows Carter is blaming himself, but everyone is going to find reasons to blame themselves when really it’s no one’s fault. Colby made a choice to help Carter. Carter can now choose to honor that sacrifice or he can squander it. She asks if Carter is planning on staying in the tackroom all night, noting she would want her family’s help in dealing with this type of situation. When Carter says he doesn’t have a family, she says sure he does — her.

At the main house, Beth then has to give Rip a pep talk. After giving him permission to throw something to avoid bottling up his emotions, she asks him what else he needs to fix how he’s feeling? He just needs time, and her, acknowledging that if he ever started feeling guilty for himself guilt is all he’d feel. He also notes that being a cowboy is a dangerous job, and thinks one day it will kill him too.

Kayce chooses his path

Following Colby’s death, Kayce and Tate (Brecken Merrill) walk through the family graveyard. Tate asks if this is where Kayce is going to want to be buried? Kayce just wants to be close to Tate. When Tate says that he’ll be at home, whether it’s their new house or the ranch, Kayce is quick to point out the ranch isn’t actually their home anymore. This is a revelation for Kayce, who calls Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) and says he sees his choice clearly now and knows what to do, but he needs Mo’s help.

Kayce is packing tactical gear when Monica (Kelsey Asbille) comes in wondering what he’s doing. He can’t tell her specifics, only that it’s what’s best for their family, not the ranch, telling her he knows what his vision means and asks her to believe in him. She always has, but she wants him to promise that he’s coming back, which he does.

Turns out Kayce needs to send a message to Grant. As Grant takes his daughter home from soccer, Kayce sneaks into the car and holds Grant’s daughter at gunpoint to get his point across: Kayce knows how to get to Grant, so if anything else were to happen to the Duttons, Kayce would return the favor. He then hits Grant in the head, telling him he is counting coup, taking a piece of his soul. Grant is appropriately scared, driving off as soon as Kayce gets out.

What will Kayce do next now that he is going on the offensive?

New episodes of Yellowstone air Sundays on Paramount Network in the US, stream Mondays on Paramount Plus in the UK.

Yellowstone season 5 episode 11 was the best episode of the western series in some time. The plot finally took some major steps forward after the show slowed its pace down for all of season 5 to date romanticizing the fading way of life of the cowboy; the flashbacks to bits of story that happened after season 5 part one’s finale and the death of John Dutton weren’t exactly riveting television either.

I understand Taylor Sheridan had to adapt on the fly after the departure of Kevin Costner, but continuing with seemingly inconsequential storylines of the Yellowstone cowboys in Texas and Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) building out their new house so much has been questionable. These feel like storylines that were written pre-Costner’s exit and shoehorned in to not waste the work. But finally, at long last, we’re seeing the consequences of John’s death coming to the characters, which has given Yellowstone its mojo back.

Let’s dive into what happened in Yellowstone season 5 episode 11.

The murder of John Dutton

Pre John Dutton’s death, Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) say their goodbyes in the Texas hotel, with Beth planning to drive through the night to get back to Montana. Meanwhile, Kayce and his family furnish their house.

But we also get the actual operation that killed John. Three men dressed in all black sneak into the governor’s mansion, grab a sleeping John and put him in a choke hold until he passes out, then carry him to the bathroom and stage his “suicide.”

As Beth drives through the night, she gets this sudden awful feeling. She calls Rip to make sure he‘s OK; he is. Kayce also has a sense that something is up, waking in the night to what he thinks is just a bad dream. But when his phone rings and it’s the police, he realizes it wasn’t a dream after all.

The new governor

That’s the last of the flashbacks for this episode, as back in the present we meet the new governor, who is being sworn in to serve in the role ahead of an official election. Despite being John’s lieutenant governor, he tells Jamie (Wes Bentley) he didn’t agree with John on what was best for Montana. He wants to reinstate the Market Equities deal, which is fine with Jamie.

After the swearing in, Jamie and Lynelle (Wendy Moniz) meet with the governor in his office. Waiting for them is Clara (Lilli Kay), John’s assistant, who is offered the chief of staff job for the new governor. They get into the Market Equities deal. Jamie already has plans to restore the lease and nix the land being placed into a conservation easement by John. The governor asks if the state could take the land through eminent domain so they can control the lease? Jamie is open to the idea. Lynelle thinks this is all a mistake, enforcing eminent domain could take years and the conservation easement is going to be harder to remove than Jamie thinks. While John’s policies were self-serving, they made the region less dependent on tourism and real estate; if they go with this new idea, she worries it will put a strain on Montana.

Lynelle leaves, but the talks continue. Jamie says he still has an obligation to preserve the ranch if he can, believing the Market Equities deal is the only way to do that. But with Beth and Kayce never going to sell, the government has to take the land to move the project along.

Having listened to all this, Clara declines the chief of staff job. She rushes after Lynelle, who offers her a job in her Montana office. But before she officially joins her staff, Lynelle notes Clara is technically unemployed, and as such is not bound by confidentiality rules (wink, wink).

Kayce investigates

Convinced John’s death was not a suicide, Kayce must prove it. He visits the coroner who did the autopsy, requesting a toxicology report and a new examination as if this was a homicide.

At first, the coroner can’t find anything new, but Kayce demonstrates a technique soldiers use when they are trying to knock someone out on covert missions. This helps the coroner notice bruising on John’s neck and his legs. She now believes John was forcibly restrained, but still can’t confirm it’s a homicide, instead saying she will change the cause of death to “undetermined.”

Kayce then meets with the detective working the case and asks to see the murder weapon. The gun is a service pistol from the Livestock Commission, which should have been in a different city and locked away; security footage could show who grabbed it. With all of this, Kayce wants the police to make a public statement about John’s death now being a homicide. Kayce knows it won’t help find the killers, but they can find who paid them.

Kayce has one more stop to make. He forces his way into Jamie’s office and throws him across his desk. Jamie instantly knows what this is about but tries to tell Kayce he can’t listen to Beth. He asks if Kayce really believes he could do anything like killing John and insists he is still working to protect the ranch. Kayce hopes for Jamie’s sake he is telling the truth.

But that may get harder for Jamie as the police give the press conference, which shocks Sarah (Dawn Olivieri) and Grant (Matt Gerald), who organized the hit. To make matters worse, in addressing the state assembly to revoke John’s policies, the governor orders Jamie to recuse himself from all matters related to John (including the Market Equities deal) in light of the recent news.

Choices

Beth, who watched the governor’s address from the ranch, tells Kayce they only have two options: sell parts of the ranch at a fraction of what it’s worth or lose it entirely.

Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) arrive to offer their condolences and talk. Rainwater speaks with Beth, telling her he understood John’s dream for preserving the ranch, and while their reasons were different, Rainwater maintains that dream; he’s happy to help in order to keep the land “pristine.” Beth notes there are some private equities groups interested in maintaining open land for “experiential hospitality,” but knows that ultimately they can’t stop the land eventually being taken over and developed. She laments that John could have better monetized it, controlling the land’s evolution. Now they just have a front row seat to its destruction.

Kayce tells Mo his vision from season 4 revealed he is going to have to make a choice between his family and the ranch, but he doesn’t know what it means. Mo says when the time comes he’ll know what to do, saying it won’t feel like a choice, it’ll feel like fate.

Damage control

Sarah buys a burner phone to try and call Grant, but the number she was given is no longer in service. Sarah looks more frazzled than we’ve ever seen her.

Jamie shows up, saying her big plan didn’t work; his career is shattering. She says the governor is trying to distance himself from Jamie and put the blame on him to better his position in the next election. As for the murder investigation, they have no real proof, just things that can be explained away. There’s nothing that can connect back to Jamie; she took the risks, saying she did it for him. As she taunts Jamie for being weak he slaps her, but Sarah slaps him right back. She goes to leave, but adds this comment: when the man that builds a name dies, the name dies with him; without John, Jamie got a whole lot less important.

Sarah doesn’t drive too far away when Jamie calls her, apologizing. She says Jamie has to trust her. While she’s stopped at a light, a couple pulls up alongside her and gets her to roll her window down to ask for directions. The man asks if she is Sarah Atwood? She asks how he could know that? But instead of answering he pulls out a gun and shoots her in the head, then a couple times in the chest to make sure she is dead.

Jamie is still on the phone, listening as all this happens. He panics as he knows that his number will now be the last one on Sarah’s phone when police take it in as evidence.

New episodes of Yellowstone premiere Sundays on Paramount Network in the US; Mondays on Paramount Plus in the UK.

With John Dutton's death officially behind us, how does Yellowstone season 5 move forward? At least in Yellowstone season 5 episode 10, much the same as this entire season has: at a slow pace with as much emphasis on the legacy and future of the cowboy as there is on the actual plot of the show.

Taylor Sheridan has had a theme for this season since the very beginning, and he did not let the exit of Kevin Costner impact his plan as we see in this episode, "The Apocalypse of Change." The potential final season of the show will stay a slow burn for now, but with plenty simmering just underneath the surface for Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Jamie (Wes Bentley).

Read on for our full recap of Yellowstone season 5 episode 10.

Down in Texas

This episode picks up before John's death, as we check in with the Yellowstone crew down in Texas. As the cowboys wake up, Rip (Cole Hauser) notices Teeter (Jen Landon) is not out of bed. When he goes to check on her she is trembling, whispering a rattlesnake is on top of her. Rip grabs the snake and kills it, then chastises Teeter for not keeping her tent closed. When they find more snakes in Teeter's tent, they realize they're camped on a snake den. Rip says they'll have to move camps.

Another surprise arrival is on the way, as Beth speeds down a Texas highway to her husband. A little too fast, as she gets pulled over. She readies to use her feminine charms on the officer, only to find out its a female officer and her tactics are moot. However, when she says she's visiting her husband at the Four Sixes ranch, the officer has a new found respect for Beth and asks that she thank Rip. When Beth asks why, the officer says this is cattle country, they know how important the work cowboys do is to getting food on the table.

When Beth arrives at camp, she tells Rip she has a hotel for them to stay at. Rip says he can't leave the others, but Beth won't take no for an answer. She offers the cowboys the chance to fly whoever they want down the next weekend so she and Rip can have a night away from camp. The cowboys take the deal, assuring Rip they have everything under control.

At the hotel, Beth learns this is Rip's first time out of Montana. She imagines all the places they could go if they weren't shackled to the ranch. But Rip says he's "shackled" there by choice and isn't interested in traveling. But he is up for dancing, as the pair go down to the bar. There Beth takes note that Four Sixes has its own vodka (nice cross promotion there Mr. Sheridan) and how there are no tourists around, just people who are there for the cattle industry. Rip asks what she has cooking in her head? She's not sure yet, but there's definitely something.

Cowboy up

Without warning, we cut back to the present (after John's death). Rip talks with Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), who is struggling to train their new colt. He asks if they're getting into the fight with whoever killed John? Rip says yes, as soon as they can figure out who they're fighting and how best to do that. Rip asks about Carter (Finn Little), who Lloyd says is in the bunkhouse, taking John's death hard.

Rip talks with him. Carter says everyone in his life has quit him, with John being the latest. Rip insists he shouldn't believe what he heard on the news, but regardless he'll always have a home on the ranch. In the meantime, he needs to cowboy up and get back to work, as sitting around isn't going to make things better. Carter admits he wanted to be like John. Rip says a lot of people did, but no has been able to do it.

Beth takes a harder approach when she realizes Summer (Piper Perabo) is still at the house; "I forgot all about you" (which most fans could say after all that's been going on with this show). Summer still believes she is under house arrest, but Beth points out that was just John's way of making sure she stayed; she's been a free woman since he took her out of prison. Beth doesn't want her there anymore, so she drives her down to the barn, refuses to care about what she has to say and tells her to hitch a ride out of there.

Rip ends up taking her to the airport, a little more willing to hear her opine about her time on the ranch. She notes that in two generations Rip's job won't even exist. He tells her about John Deere, how they originally made wagons but when the engine was invented pivoted to tractors. He and the cowboys will have to do the same, roll with the changes.

Memory or anger?

Kayce arrives at his family's new home, which they fully refurbished. Monica (Kelsey Asbille) consoles him for John's loss and offers to come with him when he says needs to be at the main ranch for a while. Kayce then takes a walk with Tate (Brecken Merrill).

Kayce aks what Tate wants to do when he grows up? Tate hasn't thought about it, always believing that working the ranch was the most likely outcome. Kayce says if Tate wants to continue the legacy that John was protecting, he'll work to see that happen. But Tate isn't sure he wants to run the ranch the way John did, seeing as it got him killed. He's more interested in their smaller land they now call home.

When Kayce asks if there's anything else Tate wants to say about John, he says he doesn't understand why this all happened. Kayce promises to tell him the whole story later, but right now he has to decide if he is going to remember how John lived or how he died; to miss him or be mad at him. Tate chooses to miss him. Kayce agrees.

The stare down

Jamie (Wes Bentley) hopes to use work to push through his complicated feelings about John's death. But those plans immediately go off the rails as Beth is waiting for him in his office. Beth slaps him and demands he look at her. When he doesn't she slaps him again, yet he still doesn't meet her gaze. She knows why he can't look at her, but gives him one more chance. When he doesn't, she tells him the next time he looks at her it will be the last thing that he ever sees.

As Beth leaves she runs into Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) and Ellis (John Emmet Tracy). After Sarah openly taunts her, Beth grabs her by the throat and shoves her against the wall, but Sarah just laughs. As soon as she leaves, Beth calls Kayce and confirms it was Jamie that killed John, with the help of Sarah.

This gets Kayce truly angry, biting his lip and making it bleed as he tries to constrain his rage. He calls an old army buddy now working in the private sector and asks who he might know that would run this kind of operation; he promises to look into it. Monica then talks to Kayce, but her husband tries to assure her he's OK. Monica lets him go for now, but when she's back with Tate she stresses that they have to make sure they don't lose Kayce from everything that is happening.

Back in Jamie's office, he says Beth will fight their efforts to restore Market Equities' lease, likely finding something that will complicate things, but he believes they'll be able to start building again in a year. Ellis is pleased with Jamie's work and promises to back him when he runs for governor in the special election. After Ellis leaves, Jamie tells Sarah Beth knows what they did, but Sarah isn't worried. Jamie won, and now its time for the new king to feast on the spoils of his kingdom; in this moment, Sarah, as he unzips her dress.

New episodes of Yellowstone premiere Sundays on Paramount Network in the US, Mondays on Paramount Plus in the UK.

We all knew that John Dutton would not be around long in the second half of Yellowstone season 5, seeing as Kevin Costner officially exited the show, and Yellowstone season 5 episode 9 did not drawing things out.

Beth (Kelly Reilly) arrives at the governor’s mansion as police have already taped off the scene. No one will tell her what happened, but when she sees John’s assistant Clara (Lilli Kay) teary eyed, she fears the worst. Kayce (Luke Grimes) gets there and is able to push through the yellow tape and brings Beth along with him. He is shown the scene, and sure enough John is dead, blood spattered on the bathroom wall, a gun nearby on the floor. Beth then sees it for herself. She’s instantly convinced it was Jamie (Wes Bentley).

But Jamie also appears to be in shock as he watches the news report. It gets no easier when he is called by authorities and told John’s cause of death (COD). In shock he heads to give a press conference, meeting Lynelle (Wendy Moniz) on the way, also stunned by this event. Jamie struggles through the press conference, where he officially announces that John is dead, apparently by suicide.

On the car back to the ranch, Beth and Kayce listen to the press conference on the radio. Learning they’re calling it a suicide, Beth has Kayce pull over and walks out into the field. She calls Rip (Cole Hauser), telling him they killed John and that she needs him back in Montana. Just like that he is riding off into the Texas sunset to make it back to Montana as quick as he can.

Read on for our full break down of Yellowstone season 5 episode 9, “Desire Is All You Need.”

Detour

Despite a two-year break between episodes and a new major plotline to dive into, Yellowstone season 5 episode 9 still spends most of its time on Rip and the other Yellowstone cowboys’ trip down to Texas. At least from my perspective, the first eight episodes of season 5 felt light on plot and big on hyping the cowboy way of life; I was surprised that with only six episodes left to potentially wrap up the season, so much of this episode appeared to follow a similar trajectory.

In any event, it’s six weeks before John’s death as Rip and the crew are driving down to Texas. Some highlights of the trip: Rip is kind to a young kid who asks to pet their horses, but then tells off a couple of 20-somethings saying they’re not running a petting zoo. Beth then calls him telling her as soon as he gets to Texas she’s flying in for some marital privileges, which everyone in the car hears over the phone.

They finally get to the 6666 ranch, where they rendezvous with Jimmy (Jefferson White) and the other cowboys of that ranch helping out with their cattle. Rip gets the lay of the land (they’re sleeping in tents despite being offered a bunkhouse, and need to be aware of the high risk of fire) before he heads off to run some errands. This includes picking up a specially made bit by an elder craftsman that Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) apparently ordered 15 years ago. Rip notes how he appreciates the spurs the man made, so the man offers them to Rip for free, I guess because the man can tell Rip's a real cowboy, one of the last.

Rip clearly is lamenting that their way of life is dying. Back at the camp with the others he says that in 30 years there won’t be anything like they’re doing. The country will be all wind and solar farms, and their beef will all come from Brazil. To fit his mood, he has Walker (Ryan Bingham) play a sad song.

Another quick little side plot back in Montana, Kayce, Monica (Kelsey Asbille) and Tate (Brecken Merrill) inspect their new house on the ranch, far away from everyone else, and decide it’ll do for their new home.

Setting the scene

Interspersed in those asides are what we can expect will be the big plotlines for this season, though we just get a taste.

First, Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) meets with a mysterious man named “Grant” (that’s not his real name). This is the man she is hiring to kill John, following through on the idea that she and Jamie previously talked about. Grant notes they have compromising footage of Sarah and Jamie they can use as blackmail if they need it and sets the record straight — Sarah is the one committing murder here. Grant and his team may provide the logistics, but it’s the person who has the desire to do the job that is responsible, not the tool they choose to use to get it done. Grant then lays out the plan, saying suicide is the lowest risk option. Sarah gives him permission to execute the plan.

Elsewhere, Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) look over the lake where the government is going to be building the proposed pipelines. He worries that if there is an explosion of the pipeline it’ll poison the reservation’s water supply but no one will hear about it as the government will cover it up. Rainwater says this fight is the hill they are going to die on. Mo is ready for the fight.

The Duttons’ new reality

Back in the present, following John’s death, Jamie is distraught as he gets home. Not the reaction Sarah, who is waiting for him in lingerie and with champagne, was expecting. Jamie realizes what Sarah has done. He thought they were just discussing killing John and hadn’t decided to go through with it; Jamie worried John killed himself over the impeachment hearing that Jamie brought against him. Sarah assures him though that he is completely shielded from the murder, so now he needs to focus on this new world without John. She add there’s no need to mourn. Lions don’t die of old age, they are killed by younger lions. Jamie is the younger lion, and this is his kingdom now.

But Beth is going to have something to say about that. While Kayce can’t believe Jamie would kill John, Beth says he would and he had Market Equities’ resources to back him up. She encourages Kayce to call the state police to look at the security footage from the governor’s mansion to learn the truth. However, the police say there was a power outage in the neighborhood at 3:50 am; John’s time of death was confirmed as 3:53 am. Beth notes how “convenient” that is. Beth says Kayce needs to look Jamie in the eyes to see if he did that. Once he does, then he can help her decide how they’ll kill him.

Rip arrives back at the ranch (with some late season Game of Thrones travel time apparently) and Beth runs to him and falls into his arms as her emotions over her father’s death flood out of her again.

Five episodes of Yellowstone season 5 (possibly ever for the series) are left. Hopefully after this easing into this new era of the show we can get to the good stuff quickly.

New episodes of Yellowstone air Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT on Paramount Network in the US. Episodes stream on Paramount Plus in the UK every Monday.

Millions of viewers are excited to watch the long-awaited premiere of Yellowstone season 5 part 2 tonight, November 10, on the Paramount Network cable channel. If you’re one of them but don’t have Paramount Network as part of your TV setup, fear not, because CBS is here to help as the broadcast network is also airing Yellowstone season 5 episode 9.

After the first new episode of Yellowstone in nearly two years premieres on Paramount Network at 8 pm ET/PT, CBS is going to have its special broadcast of Yellowstone season 5 episode 9 at 10 pm ET/PT. The western series is set to air after CBS’s usual Sunday night lineup of 60 Minutes and Tracker season 2; Yellowstone is taking the place of The Equalizer season 5 this week.

A couple of things to note about the CBS broadcast of Yellowstone season 5’s return. First, because of broadcast standards, the episode is likely to be edited slightly for language and potentially other things that shows can get away with on cable. Also, all indications are this is a one time thing for the Yellowstone season 5 part 2 premiere, CBS is not planning to air more Yellowstone episodes premiering in the following weeks.

Having Yellowstone season 5 episode 9 air on CBS is going to make it more widely available to viewers, as anyone with a traditional pay-TV subscription, a TV antenna, a live TV streaming service like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV or a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription can watch the episode live.

Moving forward though, access to Paramount Network is going to be required for anyone who wants to keep up with the latest episodes of Yellowstone season 5 part 2. You won’t even be able to stream the episodes on-demand right away, as there’s typically a delay before they make their way to Peacock, the streaming home of Yellowstone in the US.

To the episode on hand that is airing Sunday night, it is titled “Desire Is All You Need” and the synopsis reads, “After an event rattles the state of Montana, nothing will ever be the same.”

If you want to catch up with some of the big storylines from the first half of Yellowstone season 5, read our feature on the biggest questions heading into Yellowstone season 5 part 2 or rewatch Yellowstone season 5 episodes on Paramount Network (as part of a mini Yellowstone marathon) or stream on Peacock.

The long wait for Yellowstone season 5 part 2 ends on Sunday, November 10, at 8 pm ET/PT on Paramount Network. But before then, the cable channel is offering viewers the chance to get back in the saddle with the Taylor Sheridan-created western with a mini Yellowstone marathon that will lead right up to the show’s return.

Starting Friday, November 8, at 11 pm ET/PT, Paramount Network is going to be showing every episode from Yellowstone season 3 through the first half of Yellowstone season 5 right up until the premiere of Yellowstone season 5 episode 9, the first new episode in almost two years for the show. That should help fans who may have forgotten a detail or two about what’s happened in the series get their bearings before the show’s return (though if you’re pressed for time this weekend, you can also read our biggest questions for Yellowstone season 5 feature to be reminded of where things left off and how the new episodes might address them).

There is also going to be a special behind-the-scenes episode where cast members discuss some of the biggest moments from the show to date titled Yellowstone: Stories from the Bunkhouse that airs in the early hours of November 10.

Here’s a full look at the schedule for Paramount Network’s mini Yellowstone marathon taking place from Friday, November 8, to Sunday, November 10:

Friday, November 8

• 11 pm: Yellowstone season 3 episode 1
• 11:57 pm: Yellowstone season 3 episode 2

Saturday, November 9

• 1:01 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 3
• 1:57 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 4
• 3 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 5
• 9 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 6
• 9:56 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 7
• 10:58 am: Yellowstone season 3 episode 8
• Noon: Yellowstone season 3 episode 9
• 1:02 pm: Yellowstone season 3 episode 10
• 2:11 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 1
• 3:29 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 2
• 4:39 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 3
• 5:47 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 4
• 6:56 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 5
• 8:03 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 6
• 9:14 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 7
• 10:31 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 8
• 11:37 pm: Yellowstone season 4 episode 9

Sunday, November 10

• 12:55 am: Yellowstone season 4 episode 10
• 2:30 am: Yellowstone: Stories from the Bunkhouse
• 10 am: Yellowstone season 5 episode 1
• 11:23 am: Yellowstone season 5 episode 2
• 12:41 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 3
• 1:54 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 4
• 3:10 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 5
• 4:21 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 6
• 5:36 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 7
• 6:56 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 8
• 8 pm: Yellowstone season 5 episode 9

Helping to cap off the Taylor Sheridan-centric weekend, Paramount Network is also going to air Lioness season 2 episode 1 on the cable channel, allowing for those who are not currently signed up for Paramount Plus to watch the other popular Sheridan series.

In order to watch the mini Yellowstone marathon this weekend, you need to have access to Paramount Network, which is available through traditional pay-TV providers or live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Philo TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. If you don’t have access to the cable channel, or want to be able to catch up with any episode from the series on your own schedule, all past episodes of Yellowstone are streaming exclusively on Peacock in the US (Paramount Plus for those outside the US).

Also, Yellowstone season 5 episode 9 is going to get a special broadcast on CBS on November 10, airing at 10 pm ET/PT. Note that this will be a slightly censored version to meet broadcast standards compared to the language that is allowed on cable TV.

Subsequent episodes of Yellowstone season 5 part 2 are going to air on Paramount Network on Sundays.

It took a bit longer than expected, but Yellowstone season 5 part 2 is finally on Paramount Network Sunday, November 10, arriving two years after the first half of the season premiered. In that time there have been some major developments that likely fundamentally changed the show and possibly some of the storylines that were originally being set up in the first eight episodes of Yellowstone season 5.

Most influential was the decision that Kevin Costner would not be returning for the final batch of episodes, removing the series protagonist to date, John Dutton, from the board. As a result of Costner’s exit, it was reported that Yellowstone season 5 part 2 would mark the end of the flagship series, though spinoffs were possible (and some have already been announced, i.e. The Madison); however, there are now rumors though that Yellowstone season 6 could still happen.

Long story short, Yellowstone fans likely have a lot of questions about where the show is going, and possibly need a reminder of where things left off. Of course you can always rewatch the episodes: the show is streaming on Peacock in the US and Paramount Plus in the UK, while Paramount Network is having a mini marathon from November 8-10 of season 3-5 leading up to the premiere.

But if you don't have the time to rewatch the entire first half of Yellowstone season 5, I've compiled what I think are the six biggest questions about Yellowstone season 5 part 2 and am offering the background and my own perspective on them. Let’s fire away.

How is Yellowstone going to deal with the Kevin Costner exit?

Since the beginning, Yellowstone has been about John Dutton’s fight to protect the land that his family has called home for more than 100 years, hoping to preserve it for his own children. But Costner, who has portrayed John for the entirety of the show, won’t be around to see that fight through.

After reports of a falling out with show creator Taylor Sheridan over scheduling conflicts with Costner’s movie Horizon: An American Saga, Costner denied those reports but confirmed that he would not be returning for Yellowstone season 5 part 2. So, how will the show deal with Costner’s exit?

When we last had a new Yellowstone episode, Jamie (Wes Bentley) had moved to impeach John as Montana’s governor, citing his moves to cancel the Market Equities deal had opened the state up to a $4 billion lawsuit. Jamie also was talking with Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri; more on her in a bit) about getting in contact with some professional killers, but that may have been more about Beth (Kelly Reilly) than John.

Though Yellowstone director Christina Voros told The Hollywood Reporter that “His [John’s] presence is integral,” to these new episodes, the most likely bet is that John is going to have died when episodes return. Perhaps from something like a heart attack (he had major health issues in the first few seasons and has gone through some tough battles since), but it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Jamie and Sarah had him assassinated (in the Yellowstone season 5 part 2 trailer Jamie is trying to destroy documents; evidence?)

Yellowstone season 5 part 2 scripts were redacted to prevent leaks like John’s fate being revealed ahead of the show’s return.

Who will win the Jamie and Beth fight for power?

Jamie and Beth’s relationship has grown from bitter sibling rivalry to all out war, with the first eight episodes of season 5 setting up what we can only expect to be a winner take all showdown in these final episodes.

To recap, Beth entered Yellowstone season 5 with the upper hand, having photos of Jamie dumping his biological father’s body at the train station and using them to keep him in check. However, after Beth discovers that Jamie has a son (something he had kept hidden from the rest of the Duttons) she promises to take his son from him as payback for having her sterilized as a teen. This is too far for Jamie, as he aligns himself with Sarah Atwood, moves to impeach John and possibly hire assassins to go after Beth (he ruins Beth’s blackmail attempt by revealing John knows about the train station and would be implicated too if she revealed it).

With John presumably out of the picture in Yellowstone season 5 part 2, Beth will have even more motivation (likely blaming Jamie for whatever happens to John) and no restraints on how to go after him now that John isn’t there to try and protect Jamie. Jamie, however, will have Sarah and presumably the support of Market Equities behind him, which are powerful resources.

It’s likely only one of them will come out on top, so who will it be? I’m picking Beth.

Who is Sarah Atwood?

We’ve mentioned her a bunch already, but who exactly is Sarah Atwood?

Sarah made her Yellowstone debut in season 5 episode 2, when she was brought in by Market Equities specifically to combat the Duttons. She quickly set her eyes on Jamie as her primary target, wooing him both romantically and appealing to his ambition by saying they would help him become the next governor once John is ousted.

However, there is potentially much more to Sarah’s story. At one point Beth does some snooping on Sarah, but she can’t find any legitimate information about her, leading her to believe that Sarah Atwood isn’t her real name. Who is she, and why does she have contacts with professional killers? She should be one of the more fascinating characters in these final batch of episodes.

What’s going on with Rainwater’s leadership fight?

Taking a break from the Dutton storylines, there is one with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) that still needs to be addressed in the second half of the season.

The first half of season 5 saw Rainwater’s role as leader of his tribe threatened by Angela Blue Thunder (Q’orianka Kilcher), as she attempted to replace him with a younger candidate. In addition to that, the federal government was proposing putting not one but two pipelines on reservation land.

Solving these two problems could go hand in hand. Rainwater may see the only way to push back against negative sentiment toward his leadership to be defeating the pipelines being imposed on his land. So what will he have to do in order to ensure that?

Again, with John likely out of the picture, Rainwater will likely rely more on Kayce (Luke Grimes), who he's always had a better relationship with anyway, to help him in his cause.

Rip’s return to the ranch?

The last we saw Rip (Cole Hauser) he was heading down to Texas with a number of the Yellowstone cowboys to look over their cattle herd after disease was found in their fields and they needed to be relocated. It always seemed strange that Rip would be away from the Yellowstone for long, but this is one of the storylines that may be the most impacted by Costner’s departure.

In the season 5 part 2 trailer we see that Rip is back with Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith), who did not go to Texas, so it seems he is back at the ranch. That’s not overly surprising, presuming something does happen to John you can’t expect Rip to not make his way home, as he'll certainly be looking for some measure of revenge and to be there to protect Beth.

Are we going to see more of Jimmy?

Piggy backing off of the Rip storyline, does his presumed quick exit from Texas mean we’re not going to get any more of Jimmy (Jefferson White) in Yellowstone season 5 part 2?

We only saw Jimmy briefly in the first half of season 5. As a reminder, Jimmy was allowed to move on with his life by John after he matured on the 6666 ranch and got married at the end of Yellowstone season 4. Jimmy seemed happy and in a good place with his life on the Texas ranch, where he presumably would be reuniting with some of his old Yellowstone friends.

If Rip’s removal from the Texas storyline means that won’t be followed too much, then it’s possible we don’t see Jimmy much more than the glorified cameo he had in season 5 part 1. However, Jimmy does still wear the Yellowstone brand. He may have been allowed to start his life anew, but if his old home was threatened as we think it is going to be, would Jimmy’s new outlook on life compel him to go support those who helped him become the man he is today?

Jimmy has long been a favorite character, and it would be great to see him used more in these final episodes. So here’s hoping.

Yellowstone season 5 part 2 premieres at 8 pm ET/PT on Paramount Network in the US. It will be available for streaming on Paramount Plus in the UK as of November 11.

Hey Netflix subscribers, enjoyed watching Russell Crowe in his 2024 new movie Land of Bad that landed on the streamer earlier this year? Then let us recommend another Crowe movie now on Netflix as part of the surge of new movies added to the streamer's library in September: 2007's western 3:10 to Yuma, which sees Crowe star opposite Christian Bale.

Based on an Elmore Leonard short story, 3:10 to Yuma stars Bale as small-time rancher Dan Evans, who gets recruited into a ragtag group of civilians and law enforcement officers who aim to see notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) put on the train to Yuma, where he'll be tried for his crimes. However, as Ben's gang attempts to rescue their boss and Ben tries to manipulate his captors, Dan must hold fast to prove to himself and his son that there is some form of honor and justice in the west. 

In addition to Bale and Crowe, the movie stars Ben Foster, Logan Lerman, Dallas Roberts, Vinessa Shaw, Alan Tudyk, Gretchen Mol, Kevin Durand and Peter Fonda. James Mangold directed the movie.

This was Hollywood's second time making a 3:10 to Yuma movie, as Glenn Ford and Van Heflin starred in the 1957 version. This is a rare instance where both the original version of a movie and its remake are very well regarded. 1957's 3:10 to Yuma has a 94% "Fresh" rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes while Bale and Crowe's 3:10 to Yuma is just a few points behind it, officially "Certified Fresh" at 89%. Another feather in the remake's cap, it was nominated for two Oscars: Best Original Score and Best Sound Mixing.

I've never seen the original, but I wholeheartedly believe that Bale and Crowe's 3:10 to Yuma is a high-quality movie. Crowe is particularly good as the charming but nefarious Ben Wade. The battle of wills between the two lead characters plays out brilliantly, capped off with an exciting final shootout.

However, if I'm picking an MVP for the movie, it's Ben Foster, who plays Ben Wade's loyal lackey Charlie Prince. Foster plays Prince just short of insane, as he viciously attempts to rescue his boss. The acclaim that Foster received for the movie really helped solidify him as one of Hollywood's best character actors, and he even earned a couple of nominations for Best Supporting Actor that year from critics groups, along with being nominated for Best Ensemble with the rest of the cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

While it'll never reach its heyday of the 1940s and 50s, we've gotten a number of westerns in the 21st century that can stand up with the best of the genre. 2007's 3:10 to Yuma is one of them and is definitely something to watch on Netflix this month. If you're not a Netflix subscriber, the movie is also available to rent via digital on-demand.

Watch the 3:10 to Yuma trailer right here:

It's a holiday weekend, but the Duttons aren't taking it easy, as Paramount Network has a Labor Day Yellowstone marathon planned to air on the cable channel starting Friday, August 30, and going through Monday, September 2, airing every episode of Yellowstone to date.

The timing is perfect, as Yellowstone season 5 part 2 is just about two months away from finally premiering (Sunday, November 10), and the first teaser trailer for the new episodes has been released. Whether you just want to relive some of the best episodes of Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed series or have been interested in starting the show, this is the perfect opportunity.

We'll what you need to watch the Labor Day Yellowstone marathon below, but first let's take a look at the complete four-day schedule:

Friday, August 30

• Yellowstone season 1 episode 1, 10 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 2, 11:55 pm

Saturday, August 31

• Yellowstone season 1 episode 3, 1 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 4, 2:01 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 5, 2:56 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 6, 9 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 7, 10 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 8, 11:04 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 9, noon
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 1, 1 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 2, 2:01 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 3, 3:02 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 4, 4:03 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 5, 5:03 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 6, 6:02 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 7, 7:05 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 8, 8:09 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 9, 9:13 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 10, 10:15 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 1, 11:20 pm

Sunday, September 1

• Yellowstone season 3 episode 2, 9 am
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 3, 10:05 am
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 4, 11:03 am
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 5, 12:08 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 6, 1:09 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 7, 2:04 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 8, 3:06 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 9, 4:08 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 10, 5:09 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 1, 6:15 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 2, 7:29 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 3, 8:39 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 4, 9:48 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 5, 10:56 pm

Monday, September 2

• Yellowstone season 4 episode 6, 9 am
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 7, 10 am
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 8, 11 am
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 9, noon
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 10, 1 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 1, 2:30 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 2, 4 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 3, 5 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 4, 6 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 5, 7 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 6, 8 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 7, 9 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 8, 10:30 pm

Paramount Network is available as a cable channel from many traditional pay-TV providers, as well as being included in live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Philo TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. If you prefer to watch Yellowstone at your own pace, all episodes of the series are streaming on Peacock in the US.

Created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone stars Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Gil Birmingham, Jefferson White and Kevin Costner as family patriarch John Dutton.

Since its premiere in 2018, Yellowstone has become one of the biggest cable TV hits in some time. People have loved following the story of the Dutton family, as they fight to keep the land that has been in their family for generations from being impeded on by outside forces. However, things aren't perfect inside the Dutton house either, as a complicated family history creates internal rivalries and struggles.

When the new episodes return, Costner won't be a part of them. During the break it was reported that scheduling conflicts with Costner's new western movie Horizon: An American Saga were a point of contention with the production schedule. It was officially confirmed by both Costner and Paramount Network he would not be returning to help close out the series.

It was thought that this would be the end of the flagship Yellowstone series. Two prequel series, 1883 and 1923, have already premiered and it was announced that a modern day spinoff, The Madison, is coming starring Michelle Pfeiffer. However, there are now reports that a Yellowstone season 6 is possible, with Reilly's Beth and Hauser's Rip returning to lead things, though that's not confirmed at this time.

The sun may not be setting on Yellowstone after all. After months of the assumption that the remaining episodes of Yellowstone season 5 (set to premiere on November 10) would be the final ones in Taylor Sheridan's flagship neo-western, a new report indicates that a Yellowstone season 6 is in discussions, with Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser potentially set to lead. This is according to an initial report by Puck and then followed up by multiple other outlets.

The saga of Yellowstone season 5 and its future has been one deserving of its own one-hour drama. The first eight episodes of Yellowstone season 5 premiered in the fall of 2022 and wrapped up in the first couple days of 2023. Then the Hollywood strikes in 2023 delayed production on the remaining six episodes. Also during the hiatus, it was revealed that series lead Kevin Costner would not be returning for the second half of season 5 because of scheduling conflicts with him making Horizon: An American Saga. Then there have been various reports of Yellowstone’s favorite characters continuing the series in some way. But rather than a spinoff, it may just be Yellowstone season 6.

To be clear, nothing is finalized on this front. Reilly and Hauser, who play Beth Dutton and her husband Rip Wheeler on the show, are reportedly in talks to lead the potential new season, but a deal is not currently in place. There's no indication of whether any other characters from the series would continue on. Should this come to pass though, it would be a relief for long-time fans of the series to know Yellowstone season 5 would not in fact be the end.

Of course, Sheridan's Yellowstone universe has already grown beyond his flagship series. Already there are the prequel series 1883 and 1923, with 1923 season 2 expected and another prequel series set 21 years later in 1944. A present-day spinoff series has also been confirmed, The Madison, which is set to star Michelle Pfieffer.

Outside of the world of Yellowstone, Sheridan has created shows like Mayor of Kingstown (awaiting word on Mayor of Kingstown season 4, Tulsa King (Tulsa King season 2 is premiering in September), Special Ops: Lioness and Landman, which is having its series premiere in November.

We'll be keeping an eye on the news surrounding the potential of Yellowstone season 6. In the meantime, get excited as Yellowstone season 5 returns on Sunday, November 10. You can catch up with all episodes of the series right now on Peacock.

Had everything gone to plan, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 would already be playing in movie theaters, hoping to add to a solid box office haul for Kevin Costner's epic western to set up even more movies based around these characters in the near future. Instead, Horizon: An American Chapter 1 is now streaming on Max in the hopes of finding a larger audience and getting some clarity on the potential franchise's future.

Premiering on Max on August 23, Horizon: An American Saga was written, directed and stars Costner in a story that features multiple characters and storylines that chronicle the expansion and settlement of the West. In addition to Costner, the Horizon cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt and Jamie Campbell Bower.

There was a lot of excitement and intrigue around Horizon before it came out. The movie was reportedly a key factor in Costner not returning for the final episodes of Yellowstone season 5 (which in turn sped up the ending of the series), and the plan to release the first two "chapters" of the planned multi-film story in such quick succession (June 28 for Chapter 1, August 16 for Chapter 2) was something we hadn't seen in Hollywood in a while. We went as far as to rank it as our most anticipated summer blockbuster movie of 2024. Then the wheels started to come off.

Critics were divided on the movie, with it being rated positive by 48% of reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes, which does classify it as "Rotten;" check out what we thought with our official Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 review. Though audiences were kinder to it, as 70% of viewers on Rotten Tomatoes liked it (still not enough for the site's new "Verified Hot" distinction).

The box office wasn't any better. To date, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 has made $34.3 million worldwide off a reported budget of $100 million. Those numbers led to Warner Bros. opting to remove Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 from the release calendar. It's still not clear when the second part is going to be released, though the movie is expected to have its world premiere as part of the 2024 Venice Film Festival in September.

All of this has made Horizon look like a bad bet for Kevin Costner. But with its presence on streaming that could start to change. Max subscribers who opted not to pay the price of a movie ticket to see Horizon in theaters may be more willing to give it a try now that it is included in the library. And if the Rotten Tomatoes trend continues, then general audiences may enjoy the movie more than critics.

That's certainly what Warner Bros. is hoping for, saying when they first delayed Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 that they wanted to give the first movie a wider runway to find its audience. Should the movie prove a popular play on Max, more people may then be encouraged to see the continuation of the story with Chapter 2 if and when it opts to come out in theaters (the Venice Film Festival premiere makes it seem like the powers that be want to still give the movie every chance to succeed).

So, if you want to finally give Horizon: An American Saga a try then you can do so on Max right now (subscription required). Here’s the trailer to give you a peek:

Yellowstone fans probably have some mixed emotions right now. While Yellowstone season 5 brought an end hit western series, the franchise is going to continue with a handful of spinoffs. One of which we now know is going to be titled The Madison.

Taylor Sheridan's next story in the Yellowstone universe is going to be a present-day story set in a different part of Montana and with new characters. It's not the only one in the works though, as another spinoff is in the works that is expected continue be a continuation of the main Yellowstone series (with possibly some characters continuing on) and another prequel, 1944, in the same vein as 1883 and 1923.

As the info on The Madison starts to come in, read on below to catch up on it all.

The Madison release date

There is no official release date for The Madison at this time, though according to The Hollywood Reporter it is expected to be the next new series to premiere in the Yellowstone universe.

It's also unclear if The Madison would air on Paramount Network like Yellowstone has throughout its run, or if it would become a Paramount Plus original series like other Sheridan-created shows in recent years, including Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, the upcoming Landman and the Yellowstone prequels.

The Madison plot

The Madison looks to follow an entirely new story and characters, while presumably still occupying the same universe as the Duttons.

According to reports, the series is centered around a New York City family that moves to the Madison River valley of central Montana and is described as a "heartfelt study of grief an human connection."

The Madison cast 

The lead of The Madison has been announced, and it is none other than three-time Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Pfeiffer.

"Michelle Pfeiffer is a remarkable talent who imbues every role with emotional depth, authenticity and grace," said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. "She is the perfect anchor to the newest chapter of the Yellowstone universe, Madison, from the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan."

Pfeiffer's probably still best known for playing Catwoman in Tim Burton's Batman Returns, though she earned her Oscar nominations for performances in Dangerous Liasions, The Fabulous Baker Boys and Love Field. She is also known for starring in Scarface, Hairspray, Murder on the Orient Express and, most recently, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. She also recently starred in the TV series The First Lady.

A few other cast members have been announced for the sequel series: Suits star Patrick J. Adams is going to play Russell McIntosh, an investment banker who has always followed the life path set before him; Elle Chapman (A Man Called Otto) is playing Paige McIntosh, a "somewhat self-centered woman who indulges in a luxurious New York lifestyle provided by her parents and investment banker husband;" and Beau Garrett (Firefly Lane) as Abigail Reese, a "resilient and sardonic New Yorker, who is a recently divorced mother of two."

As of August 26, Deadline has confirmed another cast member joining The Madison: Lost star Matthew Fox, who will play the role of Paul, a self-reliant bachelor who loves the outdoors.

Variety reports that Ben Schnetzer will also star in The Madison. Most recently seen in 3 Body Problem, Schnetzer will play Van, a "salt-of-the-earth and neighborly Montana ranhcer."

The Madison trailer

We're a long way from a The Madison trailer showing up. But as soon as one does arrive, we'll add it here.

Many westerns play up the majestic nature of the cowboys and lawmen that attempted to tame the wild country and the outlaws that roamed it, but not Bone Tomahawk. The 2015 Kurt Russell movie that is gory and ruthless is a recent addition to Netflix's streaming library in the US (as of Monday, July 15), giving more people the chance to solidify the movie's status as a cult favorite.

Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, Bone Tomahawk takes place in the dying days of the old west, where a sheriff and a group of men set out to rescue captured town residents from a dangerous cave-dwelling group. In addition to Russell as Sheriff Hunt, the movie stars Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, Lili Simmons, Evan Jonigkeit, David Arquette, Kathryn Morris, Sid Haig, Geno Segers, Sean Young and Fred Melamed.

Critics have long touted Bone Tomahawk as an exciting recent example of the western genre. The movie is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive score of 91% from critics. The movie also earned some citations when it came out, being nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins) at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, among other nominations and awards.

The general audience reaction is a bit more mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score is a bit lower than the critics', 74% positive. That is likely because one of the movie's calling cards is its violence and gore, which is why it is seen as a cult classic, as it may not be for everyone.

The violence is something that Zahler has been known for in his movies. Bone Tomahawk was his first feature film, but he followed it up with Brawl in Cell Block 99 and Dragged Across Concrete, both of which also were "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

With Bone Tomahawk now on Netflix, you can continue the western kick that movies have been on this summer, following the release of Viggo Mortensen's The Dead Don't Hurt (landing on digital on-demand starting July 16) and Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 in movie theaters. If you were disappointed to hear that Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 is not getting its planned August release, perhaps watching Bone Tomahawk can scratch that itch for you.

If you are interested in watching Bone Tomahawk but don't have a Netflix subscription, there are other options. The movie is currently streaming on Hulu in the US, can be rented via digital on-demand or is on free streaming platforms Pluto TV and The Roku Channel. In the UK, Bone Tomahawk is streaming on Prime Video and Mubi, or can be rented via digital on-demand.

Watch the trailer for Bone Tomahawk right here:

I'll admit it, I was intrigued by the bold strategy that Kevin Costner was taking with his planned four-part epic western Horizon: An American Saga. Not only did he film the first two parts of the story (titled Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 respectively) back to back, but the plan to release them just about a month and a half apart was something we rarely see in Hollywood. All of this had me list it as my most anticipated summer blockbuster movie of 2024. Then the wheels came off the wagon.

After premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 received tepid reviews; when I finally saw it, I sadly could only agree with the less than favorable sentiments in my own Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 review. Not the end of the world, movies have succeeded despite bad reviews in the past, and Warner Bros., the studio behind 2023's biggest box office hit Barbie, was promoting the heck out of the movie. (Technically the movie is distributed by New Line Cinema, but they fall under the Warner Bros. banner.)

But it is clear to see that Horizon is no Barbie at the box office. The movie, which was reportedly made for $100 million, has made $22.6 million at the US box office since it was released on June 27; it's made less than $1 million at the international box office. That poor performance has led to a drastic change in strategy on the movies, starting with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 being pulled from its August 16 release calendar with no new release date immediately announced.

The Hollywood Reporter was the first to share the news, with a statement from Costner's production company Territory Pictures and New Line Cinema saying they are delaying Chapter 2 "in order to give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of Horizon over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and Max." The story shared that Chapter 1 is going to premiere on digital on-demand platforms starting July 16, while a streaming debut on Max has not been announced as of yet.

THR detailed that Costner helped fund the movies with $38 million of his own money and as recently as last week indicated the plan was to start production on Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 3 in August.

Maybe Horizon: An American Saga will find its audience on digital platforms, it's happened before for movies, and Costner's company added an additional statement that many audiences have been enthused by the movie. But with its poor reviews and a three-hour runtime, the chance that the bet on Horizon: An American Saga becoming a massive hit worth its price tag appears to be less and less likely.

Compounding all of this is the fact that the making of Horizon was reportedly part of the reason for Costner to not return to Yellowstone season 5. Costner's exit prompted series creator Taylor Sheridan to conclude the hit neo-western with the second half of season 5 (though a sequel series is in development). Yellowstone has been one of the biggest TV hits in some time, and Costner's John Dutton was a central part of that. To not even have him appear in the final episodes to close out the series is a real shame, and possibly the biggest negative of all of this for general audiences.

Mostly though it is a shame for Costner. I've always been a fan of his and believe he is a talented director, as evidenced by his Best Picture-winning Dances with Wolves (look past it beating Goodfellas, it's a good movie) and his underrated western Open Range. He clearly was passionate about telling Horizon, it just didn't pan out, something many filmmakers can relate to.

At one point or another we are going to get Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2, be it in movie theaters or on-demand, as it is already done (as evidenced by the previous plan and the promo for it in the Chapter 1 ending). But whether or not this gamble will eventually pay off for Costner and all involved just got a lot harder. A tip of the cap though for taking the risk.

In what has become a holiday tradition over on Paramount Network, TV viewers can once again spend a long weekend with the Duttons, as a Fourth of July Yellowstone marathon starting Wednesday, July 3, on the cable network will air every episode of the Taylor Sheridan western over five days (well, technically six).

Things kick off at 8 pm ET/PT on Wednesday with the first four episodes of Yellowstone season 1 airing all in a row, which see episode 4 airing just after midnight. Then from Thursday, July 4, through Sunday, July 8, the marathon picks back up at 11 am ET/PT. Friday, Saturday and Sunday do see the last couple of episodes from the previous night re-air to start the day in case you're more of a morning person; though it you want to watch live all the way through, you will need to stay up as the last episode of Yellowstone season 5's first half airs at 12:30 am ET/PT on Monday, July 8 (stretching the marathon to six days).

Here is the full Fourth of July Yellowstone marathon schedule:

Wednesday, July 8

• Yellowstone season 1 episode 1, 8 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 2, 9:58 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 3, 11:03 pm

Thursday, July 4

• Yellowstone season 1 episode 4, 12:03 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 5, 11 am
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 6, 12:05 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 7, 1:01 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 8, 2:05 pm
• Yellowstone season 1 episode 9, 3:03 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 1, 4:04 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 2, 5:06 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 3, 6:08 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 4, 7:10 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 5, 8:13 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 6, 9:17 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 7, 10:24 pm

Friday, July 5

• Yellowstone season 2 episode 6, 11 am
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 7, 12:09 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 8, 1:17 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 9, 2:23 pm
• Yellowstone season 2 episode 10, 3:23 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 1, 4:28 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 2, 5:26 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 3, 6:30 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 4, 7:28 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 5, 8:32 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 6, 9:33 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 7, 10:28 pm

Saturday, July 6

• Yellowstone season 3 episode 6, 11 am
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 7, 11:57 am
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 8, 1 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 9, 2:03 pm
• Yellowstone season 3 episode 10, 3:05 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 1, 4:13 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 2, 5:29 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 3, 6:31 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 4, 7:37 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 5, 8:48 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 6, 9:53 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 7, 10:59 pm

Sunday, July 7

• Yellowstone season 4 episode 7, 11 am
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 8, 12:12 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 9, 1:16 pm
• Yellowstone season 4 episode 10, 2:28 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 1, 4:01 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 2, 5:22 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 3, 6:37 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 4, 7:48 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 5, 9 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 6, 10:02 pm
• Yellowstone season 5 episode 7, 11:10 pm

Monday, July 8

• Yellowstone season 5 episode 8, 12:30 am

Paramount Network is available as a cable channel from many traditional pay-TV providers, as well as being included in live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Philo TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. If you prefer to watch Yellowstone at your own pace, all episodes of the series are streaming on Peacock in the US.

Created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone stars Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Gil Birmingham, Jefferson White and Kevin Costner as family patriarch John Dutton.

Since its premiere in 2018, Yellowstone has become one of the biggest cable TV hits in some time. People have loved following the story of the Dutton family, as they fight to keep the land that has been in their family for generations from being impeded on by outside forces. However, things aren't perfect inside the Dutton house either, as a complicated family history creates internal rivalries and struggles. This marathon will serve as an opportunity to catch up on all that has happened ahead of the series' two-year break between the first half of Yellowstone season 5 and the final batch of episodes that premiere starting on November 10.

When the new episodes return, however, Costner won't be a part of them. During the break it was reported that scheduling conflicts with Costner's new western movie Horizon: An American Saga were a point of contention with the production schedule. When production picked back up recently, it was officially confirmed by both Costner and Paramount Network he would not be returning to help close out the series.

Though Yellowstone is ending, the franchise's popularity has spawned two prequel series, 1883 and 1923, and there are plans for a Yellowstone sequel series, tentatively titled 2024. Sheridan has also expanded his TV portfolio with other shows like Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness and Mayor of Kingstown.

Considering the official title of Kevin Costner's new western epic is literally Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1, we knew this was just the start of the story. While it was originally planned that Chapter 2 would be arriving in movie theaters just a few weeks after Chapter 1, the strategy has changed and we don't know when we're going to get Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2. But it can still be helpful to recap where all of the major storylines ended up at the end of Chapter 1.

Taking place over multiple years (starting in 1859 and continuing into the early 1860s), Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 introduces us to a slew of characters and storylines, intercutting between them throughout the movie's runtime. This include Costner's loner that becomes entangled in a long-running feud; Luke Wilson's character and the wagon train he leads west; and Sienna Miller and Sam Worthington, whose love story is set against the backdrop of a contentious relationship between settlers and the Native Americans.

We break down each storyline and where they stand at the end of Horizon: An American Chapter 1 below, as well as go give a quick recap of the preview that was included at the end of the movie for the next chapter and answer a lingering question in the movie.

What happens to Hayes and Marigold?

When we first meet Hayes Ellison (Costner), who travels from job to job, he has arrived in a small town in the Wyoming territory. He quickly meets Marigold (Abbey Lee), a young woman who makes her living selling herself to the men that pass through. She invites Hayes to spend the night with her in her cabin, though Hayes is offput when she mentions there is a baby where she lives. However, as Marigold makes clear, it's not her baby.

Instead it belongs to Ellen Harvey (Jena Malone). But Ellen has a secret. When her son was a newborn, she shot his father — James Sykes (Charles Halford), a dangerous man whose family intimidates many in the Montana territory — leaving him for dead. However, he survived and sent his sons, Junior (Jon Beavers) and Caleb (Jamie Campbell Bower), to find Ellen and the boy back.

After nearly two years of searching, Junior and Caleb find Ellen (whose real name is Lucy), trapping her and her companion Walt (Michael Angarano). Caleb, the loose canon among the two brothers, kills Walt and is then told to go and find Ellen's son. It isn't clear if Junior kills Ellen, but we do not see her again in the movie, so that is most likely her fate.

Hayes, having decided to visit Marigold, encounters Caleb on his way up to the house. Caleb is overly chatty with Hayes, revealing who he is and what his business is in the town. As they both reach the house, Hayes decides to defend Marigold and the child, killing Caleb in a shootout. However, Hayes knows those travelling with Caleb will come, so he flees with Marigold and the boy.

James Skyes and his wife (Dale Dickey) now want revenge for their murdered son, so they send Junior back out to find Hayes and Marigold.

Eventually, Hayes and Marigold settle at a mining camp filled with Chinese immigrants and others hoping to earn some money to make their living. However, as Hayes works, Marigold has plans of her own. Despite being motherly to Ellen's son and forming a connection with Hayes, she does not want to stay. She simply leaves one night, leaving Hayes a note and the baby with a Chinese family. The piece of paper that she wrote the note on is a flyer that advertises Horizon as a promising place to settle.

What happens with the wagon train?

We see that same flyer among some of the travelers on the wagon train heading west and being led by Matthew Van Weyden (Wilson). While we quickly meet members of the Kittredge family (Will Patton, Isabella Fuhrman, Hallie Purser and Naomi Winders), the main storyline we see with this group revolves around a young couple, Juliette Chesney (Ella Hunt) and Hugh Proctor (Tom Payne).

Chesney and Proctor come from an upper class background, very different from most of the other members of the wagon train. This is evidenced early on when most are working to help one another fix a wagon, while Hugh and Juliette sit around resting. Van Weyden must give them constant instruction on how they need to help and act in the wagon train, as they are somewhat oblivious to everyone else around them.

This is made clear again when Juliette attempts to bathe at night. She does so outside of her wagon and eventually notices that two men, Sig (Douglas Smith) and Birke (Roger Ivens) are spying on her. Hugh goes to complain to Van Weyden, who says he'll talk to the men, but first he admonishes Hugh again, telling him and Juliette not to waste drinking water on bathing and to look to the other travelers as to how to act.

When Van Weyden goes to talk to Sig and Birke, it's clear there is tension among them, as Sig and Birke do not appear overly willing to follow Van Weyden like the others. Van Weyden makes his case to both and asks they back off for the good of everyone, but Sig and Birke definitely seem like they will continue to do as they please.

What happens at Horizon?

While the paths of Hayes and the wagon train seem to be headed toward Horizon, we see many have already made their way there.

The movie begins with men surveying the land in the hope of building a town, but they are quickly killed by Apache who use the land for hunting. However, that does not stop people from coming, as this same flyer spurs more people to attempt to make a home in the land touted for its prosperity.

A few years later, there are many people living in the area as part of a tent town. Among them are the Kittredge family (presumably earlier settlers of the family we meet on the wagon train), who have built their own house on the land. However, the Apache are still fighting to keep the settlers from their land, attacking one night, burning the settlement to the ground and killing many of the inhabitants. Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller) and her daughter Lizzie (Georgia MacPhail) survive the attack hiding in an underground tunnel, but her husband and young son are not so lucky. 

Soldiers from a US army base arrive to help any survivors and bury the dead, led by Lt. Trent Gephart (Sam Worthington) with Sgt. Major Thomas Riordan (Michael Rooker). Trent tells the survivors the army cannot protect them from further Apache attacks if they choose to stay and rebuild, offering them the chance to come with them and live near the fort. Many of the men, most notably Elias (Scott Haze) and a young boy named Russell (Etienne Kellici), want to hunt the Apache who murdered their family and friends, though it's widely acknowledged that killing any Natvie can be a way for these men to earn some money. Frances and Lizzie do go with the soldiers.

As for the Apache, it was a young warrior named Pionsenay (Owen Crow Shoe) who led the attack on Horizon. However it was against the chief's wishes. Pionsenay believes they must fight and kill the settlers to stop them from taking over their land, but the chief thinks it is better for them to protect themselves by staying in the hills, believing only more will come. This division leads to the tribe splitting up, some staying with the chief and others leaving with Pionsenay.

Back at the fort, Frances and Lizzie adjust to their new life, quickly forming strong bonds with many of the soldiers. This is shown by Lizzie giving two young soldiers being called up to fight in the Civil War a pair of knit flowers from her bed spread as tokens. Seeing what it means to them, Frances and Lizzie make as many as they can for the other soldiers leaving.

Frances is also forming a romantic relationship with Trent. As he performs one kind service for Frances after another, the two finally discuss their feelings toward the end of the movie. Trent is shy and unable to put it into words, but Frances is confident in expressing her feelings for Trent, kissing him first on the cheek and then embracing him in a passionate kiss.

Elsewhere, Elias and Russell have gathered more men as they hunt Apache, but these men are more blood thirsty than they realized. One named Tracker (Jeff Fahey) convinces Elias and Russell they shouldn't just be looking for the right Natives, but killing whoever they can find, believing any Native has done something as worse or will in the future. This leads to the men attacking a Native camp filled with just women and children. It is a bloody affair that clearly impacts Elias and Russell, but they continue on with Tracker and his men as they see no other option at this point.

What's next in Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2? 

As Chapter 1 comes to an end, a preview of what lies ahead in Chapter 2 is shown. It's a quick reel, but some of what we see includes Hayes heading south, seemingly toward Horizon, doing some odd jobs and getting in some fights along the way. 

With the wagon train the journey doesn't look like it is going to get any easier, and Sig and Birke seem to be continuing to cause trouble. 

Then at the fort, Frances and Trent continue their relationship. But the big thing is that Lizzie seems to strike up a relationship with a young Native boy. 

As all of this is happening, more flyers about Horizon are being made at a printing shop in a big city, and it is revealed that Giovanni Ribisi is the man behind them. 

Who does Giovanni Ribis play in Horizon: An American Saga?

The quick look at Ribisi in this preview montage is all we see of him in Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1. But his character was mentioned on more than one occasion. 

IMDb confirms Ribisi plays a character called Pickering. The flyers for Horizon that many of the characters have in the movie include a sentence that states Pickering is the owner of the land (or at least the one who is promoting it as a potential settlement). It's through these encouraging flyers that the characters are setting out on the difficult journey and having to deal with the Apache who already call the land home. All the while Pickering is far away in the big city, with it unclear if he has ever even set foot on the land. Expect to find out more about Pickering and his motives in the next movie.

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is now playing exclusively in movie theaters.

It was hard not to be fascinated by Kevin Costner's new western epic Horizon: An American Saga in the buildup. This is the movie he seemingly chose over his hit series Yellowstone. He filmed the first two movies (of a supposedly planned four) back-to-back and is releasing them both in a seven week span. And by all reports spared no expense in bringing his passion project to life. All of that had us so intrigued we named it our most anticipated summer blockbuster of 2024. Now that we've seen it, it quickly falls into our most disappointing movies of 2024.

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is a three-hour long journey to nowhere. There are so many characters, locations and storylines that have the barest of connective tissue, resulting in a disjointed story that is more likely to confuse than entertain. Then the movie simply ends with no resolutions or even satisfying stopping points, just with a promise that more excitement is on the way in the form of a "tune-in next time" preview; but even that is so chaotic it's hard to understand where everything is going.

Starring, directed and co-written (with Jon Baird) by Costner, Horizon is a multi-year story of "how the west was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many." The challenge for Chapter 1 is that it has to introduce three completely independent storylines where the only thing in common is that the characters all seem to be heading toward a place called Horizon, which they've learned of from a flyer that promises prosperity.

That's all well and good, as it serves as a tangible representative of the idea of Manifest Destiny that drove westward expansion across the United States in the 19th century and a natural way for all of these storylines to eventually merge. However, Chapter 1 is nowhere near that point and even with its three hour runtime it never gives any storyline enough time to effectively endear us to the characters making the journey and their reasons for doing so.

Starting with Costner, he plays Hayes Ellison, a loner who travels from job to job that is forced to go on the run with a young woman, Marigold (Abbey Lee), that he just met from dangerous men. The backstory as to why these men come after them is simply put forth so they can say its not out of left field, but the actual motivation for Costner's Hayes and Marigold is never explored, making them bland, unrelatable characters outside of the fact that he's supposed to be the hero and she a woman in need of his help.

Another storyline is a wagon train heading west led by Luke Wilson's Matthew Van Weyden. We spend even less time with this plot, but to its credit it's characters are more varied and has potential for interest, even though again nothing of note actually happens to them in this initial outing.

The best storyline actually follows a group of people that have already settled at Horizon and features the likes of Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Michael Rooker, Scott Haze and Owen Crow Shoe. We spend the most time with this storyline and it's here where the Horizon shows any sign of life. Though it has multiple subplots of its own, they are varied, interesting enough and connected to each other. One can only wonder if Costner had just focused all the energy into this part of the movie if things would have worked out better?

But that's not what Costner chose to do, as he went for the whole enchilada and clearly bit off more than he can chew in his first directorial outing in 20 years. But the thing is we know that he can direct westerns, with both his underrated Open Range a thoroughly entertaining watch and his Best Picture-winning Dances with Wolves a contemplative, epic reflection on the meaning of the west.

Could he redeem himself with Chapter 2 when that hits theaters on August 16? Yes, there's always the chance the movies work better as a tandem. But that itself is a major problem. If a three-hour movie can only be fully appreciated when viewed with another three-hour movie, then maybe you need to go back to the drawing board. We're past that point however. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 fails to justify its own existence and now must be rescued by its sequel.

Watch Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 now in movie theaters worldwide.

With Horizon: An American Saga, the western returns in a big way as Kevin Costner stars and directs this epic tale about American expansion during the 19th century. The 2024 new movie was one of WTW's most anticipated summer blockbusters. If you're as eager to see it as we are then read on for all the info you need on how to watch Horizon: An American Saga.

Part of the excitement is the unique way that Horizon: An American Saga is being released. The movie arrives in two-parts this summer, first with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1, then a few weeks later with Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2. Releasing multiple parts of a movie series in a single year is a strategy we haven't seen since The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions were both released six months apart in 2003.

What part of Horizon: An American Saga is now playing and how can you watch it? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

How to watch Horizon: An American Saga in movie theaters

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is no longer playing in US movie theaters; it looks like it is still playing in select UK cinemas..

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2 was previously expected to premiere in movie theaters on August 16, but it has since been pulled from the release calendar to give Chapter 1 more of a runway to find its audience.

Is Horizon: An American Saga streaming?

While Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is not on a major streaming platform yet, but that is soon going to change, as it has been announced the western will premiere on Max in the US as of Friday, August 23.

If you just can't wait (or aren't a Max subscriber), you can rent or digitally purchase Horizon: An American Saga through platforms like Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, YouTube and others.

What else to know about Horizon: An American Saga

Kevin Costner stars, directs and co-wrote (along with Jon Baird) Horizon: An American Saga, an epic western that has been teased as harkening back to the golden age of the genre. Here is the official synopsis for the movie:

"Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner's ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America."

In addition to Costner, the massive ensemble cast features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Tim Guinee, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Tom Everett, Glynn Turman, Giovanni Ribisi and more.

As far as the movie's critical reception, it seems to be splitting critics right down the middle, with the movie sitting at a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes as of publication.

Watch the trailer for Horizon: An American Saga right here: