Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You

A bittersweet journey makes Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 6, “Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You,” a surprisingly low-key episode. And that’s not a bad thing.

As John Dutton and company rode off to start wrangling cattle on what was described to be a treacherous couple of days, it was easy to expect that something terrible would go wrong. And while not everyone comes back alive, even that one death is something considered beautiful as opposed to tragic.

John says it best, that dying out there, in his sleep after looking at the stars, is how every cowboy dreams their life would end. So as he mourns his friend, he also tries to keep that in mind, and it really is an endearing part of the episode. 

Upon their return, he hurries to his friend’s wife to be able to give her the news personally as well. It’s a sweet, emotional moment that says a lot about the culture.

And really, it goes right along with everything John has been trying to prove so far this season — he succeeds, at least a little, in beginning to show everyone what their ranch life is really about. 

Summer might actually be starting to figure some of that out too. I remain unsettled by how cliche she is, and even more so by how brash she is.

Her character could be presented in a way that would allow for some of what she stands for be portrayed in a better light, and that would be so much more interesting to watch. Instead, we’re given a very heavy-handed approach from the Dutton’s side of things. That’s the point, obviously, but some more subtlety would go a long way.

I do enjoy how Monica seems to be the one getting through to Summer most, especially with their conversation at the gravesite. Those headstones are even more powerful to see if you watched 1883.

I also enjoy the way Monica defends Beth, encapsulating why Beth is such a beloved character on the show.

(I would like to point out that Monica shouldn’t be that thin that quickly after having a baby. This is a missed opportunity for realism as well as for an understanding of female bodies just in general.)

That all happens while the others are out wrangling the cattle, which I want to get back to for a moment. Aside from the death of John’s friend, that entire part of the episode is presented as serene, invigorating, and really quite magical. It’s the quintessential cowboy life, and even when they sleep flat on the ground, no one is complaining. 

The montages and the music going along with all of it make it that much more picturesque. There’s such a genuine happiness, and along with that, it’s clear that this is where John belongs. 

This trip is significant for Rip and Beth too. These two have come so far with their relationship, and it’s sweet to see Beth understand Rip’s point of view in a way she really hadn’t before.

But leave it to Rip to find Beth the thing she’ll find most beautiful — her very own perfect meadow. It’s a really sweet moment, yet one that still allows Beth to be Beth. I so enjoy the way Beth and Rip interact with one another.

Meanwhile, Jamie is spending way too much with Sarah, who is clearly playing the man like a fiddle. Granted, that’s possibly to his benefit anyway. She has figured him out so quickly and understands exactly what it is he wants. 

At least he’s smart enough to be suspicious of her. It wouldn’t be very realistic otherwise.

The most interesting part of this episode, though, involves Chief Rainwater and Angela.

A big event with military, security, and for some horrific reason, the shooting of dogs that wander too close, means the president of the United States is coming to visit. It’s been authorized by Angela, which we realize due to Mo and Rainwater’s reactions, shouldn’t have happened. 

It means less respect for the reservation, and while I’d rather not have to see dogs being shot on television, that element helps to show why this is so problematic for their home. 

Angela, though, sees this all very differently, and she’s turning out to be quite a challenger for Rainwater. I’m curious to see how this is all going to play out. 

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Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8/7c on Paramount Network.

New Yellowstone spinoff series 1923 is streaming December 18 exclusively on Paramount+. Try it FREE!

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