'Yellowstone' Episode 6 Revealed Who Was Behind the Dutton Attack
Long-broiling tensions finally boil over in Yellowstone episode 6. All season, the writing was on the wall: Rip vs. Lloyd, Lloyd vs. Walker, Rip vs. Lloyd vs Walker, Beth vs. Jamie, Jamie vs. himself vs. Garrett vs. John, John vs. a quiet breakfast. It all hit the fan.
Episode 6 featured the most interpersonal matchups yet this season, all while teasing—already more than halfway through the season—more drama on the horizon, including theft on the reservation and more bloodshed in the bunkhouse.
For fans waiting to learn more about the attack on the Duttons, which, in many ways, was the impetus for the entire season’s drama (since reduced to a minor memory), we confirm what we’ve already known: Garrett Randall did indeed hire Riggins to orchestrate the assassination. His reasoning, however, seems something of a stretch (but we’ll get to all that).
The largest developments of episode 6, however, had nothing to do with this overall plotline, but rather the very minute tiffs between characters many of us are already souring over: Lloyd and Walker fighting over a girl, Beth and Summer fighting over animal ethics, and Jamie and Beth fighting over ... well, that battle, so far, remains only vague-sounding threats. For all the punches thrown and guns drawn this week, not a whole lot was resolved; we’re no closer to learning Garrett’s real plan (if he has one) and, as far as the political threat to the Dutton family, Market Equities and Rainwater remain a non-entity in what was once a heated land battle.
We’re gonna get some power moves one of these weeks, right? Right??
Here’s what happened in episode 6
Jimmy, the (Almost) Cowboy
In Texas, Jimmy spends his first days on the job, riding all day and somehow not complaining into the night. He seems determined to represent the Yellowstone brand and become a real cowboy. Back at the bunkhouse, Mia packs and leaves. We’re expecting a reunion between these two—perhaps the most functional and supportive relationship on the show—very soon.
Bunkhouse Bedlam
After weeks of teasing a showdown, Lloyd finally attacks Walker for real, smashing his guitar and stabbing him in the upper chest with a knife. The attack comes after a conversation with Carter, where Lloyd says he is an outcast but will not apologize. Minutes later, he’s bound on the roadside, where Rip and John discuss what to do with him; at the same time, Walker has the knife removed from his chest. John decides to make Walker and Lloyd officially fight it out—a punishment which seems to also condone the one bunkhouse rule neither had followed—and further declares No Girls Allowed in the bunkhouse anymore, forcing Laramie and Teeter out. Teeter is pissed. We’re pissed for Teeter. C’mon, John.
Later, Lloyd and Walker fight for an unrealistic amount of time before Rip steps in and finishes things, breaking Lloyd’s hands “for his own good.” Rip then walks up a hill. Behind him, Carter declares he knows what he wants to be when he grows up. He points at Rip: him. Ah, role models.
The Real House Daughters of Montana
After Beth asks a quizzical Rip to take her on a horseback ride, she enters the Dutton kitchen to find Summer without pants and wearing John’s shirt. (Turns out that after their ride from Jail, Summer and John got to understanding each other even better; the romance none of us wanted is what we’re all getting, apparently.) Beth freaks out for some reason and calls Summer a whore. They then eat breakfast together, where Beth roasts Summer’s diet and the Dutton chef somehow doesn’t know the word “gluten.” The entire roundtable seems to be an amusing jab at veganism, though it plays out like a straw man takedown. Summer’s character so far has been little more than an amalgamation of vague liberal talking points. To what end? We’re not really sure.
Later Summer—who we’re inexplicably made aware during more than one conversation is Beth’s age—rides with John back into town. They stop to tend to a calf who wandered through the fence. John’s actions somehow offend Summer, and she decides to walk home.
We’re not really sure what’s going on here. Perhaps Summer feels shame for having indulged in a “cowboy fantasy” with John despite her vague beliefs that all forms of ranching are wrong. Whether her character will prove to be an actual challenge to the Duttons, or simply a half-hearted ethical counterpoint, only time can tell.
Fixer Upper
Kayce and Monica become homeowners! They buy and then shortly after move into a new house during the episode. Tate plays with a dog in the front yard. Monica doesn’t hate Kayce anymore. All is good.
Kayce then gets a work call. He, Monica, and Tate drive to the edge of reservation land where a racing family reported a theft of their horses. Kayce and Rainwater speak to the family, which includes a former Yellowstone rancher, Avery. Monica senses history between Kayce and Avery (the two were flirtations during Monica’s split from Kayce; Kayce, however, never acted on these vibes). Monica gets mad. She’s still mad later in the episode.
Ethics 101 with Professor Garrett Randall
Jamie finally confronts Garrett, following his discovery that Garrett hired Riggins to kill John, Kayce, and Beth. Jamie, gun drawn, appears ready to arrest his father, but Garrett sits down and explains moral relativism to Jamie—how “right” and “wrong” are just words men invented to shame other men and there is no such thing as “right” and “wrong.” Also, yes, he hired Riggins to kill John and Jamie's siblings, but, hey, he did it for Jamie—so that Jamie could free himself from John’s clutches and be his own man. The two then hug.
It’s all very quick and suspect and confusing, but it seems Jamie is once again swinging back toward Team Randall.
Later, Jamie unexpectedly meets Beth in his office. Beth says she’s coming for him.
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