Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 12 Review: Counting Coup

With only two episodes left this season, Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 12, “Counting Coup,” falls short by sliding down the same crumbling path that so many others have suffered.

As we inch closer to the finale, each episode becomes more crucial in tying up loose ends and delivering satisfying character arcs.

Despite a few emotionally charged moments that remind us why we’ve invested so deeply in these characters, this episode is a bit of a snoozefest.

“Counting Coup” starts with a heartwarming scene between Teeter and Colby declaring their love for each other. But in true Yellowstone fashion, this joy is short-lived.

Colby’s heroic act to save Carter from a wild horse ends in tragedy, leaving us stunned and heartbroken. But cowboys understand the harsh realities of ranch life:

Teeter: He’s a cowboy, suffering’s the job. I just wish he could have suffered a little longer, so I could say goodbye.

How many of us have had that very same thought at some point?

Colby’s death affects the Dutton family dynamics in some predictable ways. Trust becomes a luxury no one can afford, and alliances are tested as never before. The ranch hands, particularly Teeter, Ryan, and Carter, are left grappling with the mortifying loss of their friend and colleague.

It’s a steady snore. The kind that puts you to sleep — not that keeps you awake.

However, this event adds a layer of tension and grief that floods the episode, highlighting the dangerous nature of ranching and the emotional toll it takes on those involved.

In this world, family is made up of much more than blood.

But, the necessity of Colby’s demise is debatable when compared to Yellowstone’s history of character deaths (and there have been many). Yellowstone has an irritating pattern of using character deaths to drive plot progression and emotional impact.

For example, the death of John Dutton on Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 11, “Three Fifty-Three”, sets the stage for the entire season, influencing the dynamics within the Dutton family and their adversaries.

This works. We like this kind of stuff.

But with each character’s dying breath, the emotional impact of subsequent deaths is being diluted. We know this happens in the same way that our tolerance for acceptable violence on TV has risen over decades. This is mirrored in our lives.

That doesn’t work. We don’t like that kind of stuff.

That’s exactly the kind of predictability that forces a series into a ratings spiral, ending with a nosedive into inevitable cancelation.

Compared to the previous deaths in the series, Colby’s lacks the same level of narrative significance. Like, so what?

John Dutton’s (predictable) death is a central moment that reshapes the entire season’s narrative. Sarah Atwood’s murder adds a layer of complexity to the conflict between the Duttons and Market Equities. Both of these are necessary.

Colby’s death does not significantly alter the plot or raise new questions about character motivations or the conflict’s direction.

Where are they going with this, and will it be worth the ride? I’m beginning to wonder.

In contrast to the questionable impact of Colby’s death, Rip’s efforts to save the ranch by selling the Yellowstone cattle are crucial, though heartbreaking. This introduces a storyline with tangible stakes for the Dutton family’s future. It brings into focus the financial struggles faced by the Duttons and their desperation to save their legacy.

As the ranch hands grapple with the loss of Colby, Rip’s efforts become even more critical. Also of importance is Kayce’s storyline taking a dark turn as he seeks justice for his father’s murder, which leads us to the meaning of the title of Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 12.

“Counting Coup” refers to a traditional Indigenous practice where a warrior gains victory over an enemy by touching them without killing them.

In this episode, Kayce uses this tactic when confronting Grant Horton, the mastermind behind John Dutton’s death. Instead of killing Grant, Kayce hits him on the head with his gun, symbolizing his victory and taking a piece of Grant’s soul.

This act is not just a demonstration of power but also a form of mercy, as Kayce chooses not to kill Grant despite having the opportunity.

By “counting coup,” Kayce asserts his dominance. He sends a clear message that he will protect his family at all costs without resorting to unnecessary violence.

We should all learn this lesson.

Weak-kneed Jamie’s interactions with the detectives investigating Sarah’s death reveal his desperation and guilt. However, these interactions are minimal and don’t address the fallout of Sarah’s death or its implications for Jamie’s increasingly precarious position.

This oversight feels like a missed opportunity to create tension around his storyline. The number of loose ends that need to be tied up is growing.

The direction Yellowstone is taking is concerning. With only two episodes left in what may be the final season, every moment counts, and this one’s lack of development in key plotlines is disappointing.

We’re going in reverse.

The series needs to efficiently utilize every passing second to deliver the satisfying conclusion we all want. But “Counting Coup” seems to squash that idea by featuring forgettable and meaningless scenes.

While Episode 12 has its moments, it sadly falls short of our expectations. The emotional impact of Colby’s death is undeniable but insufficient to carry something that feels otherwise underdeveloped.

Kayce’s storyline is a highlight but not enough to save an episode that fails to move the plot forward in meaningful ways.

Yellowstone needs to step up its game to deliver a fan-focused ending to this epic saga.

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Do you think they are going overboard with all the killings? Who do you think is next? What are your predictions for Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 13?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Yellowstone airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Paramount+ and later on CBS.

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