Yellowstone season 2, episode 3 recap: The Reek of Desperation

The Dutton family (from L to R – Kelly Reilly, Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes and Wes Bentley) debate at the dinner table in Paramount Network’s hit drama series “Yellowstone.” Episode 3 – “The Reek of Desperation” premieres on Wednesday, July 10 at 10 p.m., ET/PT on Paramount Network.

Two weeks ago, in the second episode of the second season of Yellowstone, John decided it’s time for Kayce to take his place as the head of the ranch, which led to Rip being demoted and moving into the cowboy’s bunkhouse, Beth encouraged Kayce to leave the ranch because she doesn’t believe he has what it takes to be as ruthless as John, and Kayce took John to physical therapy only to find Monica and Tate there too.

After a brief break for the July Fourth holiday, Yellowstone is back with the second season’s third episode, “The Reek of Desperation.” It begins on the ranch. Kayce and John are deciding which pasture to put the cows in. John turns it into a test. Kayce passes.

Kayce takes the pasture plan to the wranglers, who all question it. Rip interrupts. He impatiently tells them to shut up and do what they’re told. As the others leave, he pulls Kayce aside and tells him not to let the ranch hands ask questions again. Kayce should just tell Rip what needs to happen and he’ll get it done.

As Rip leaves, Lloyd tells Kayce that he was a wrangler long enough that he should know who to talk to if wants something done. Kayce comments that he’s trying to do things differently, but Lloyd counters that “different never works.”

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After the credits, we check in with Thomas Rainwater and Dan Jenkins who are signing the papers for their land deal and posing for the press. Rainwater touts the new era that the deal will usher in.

At the Governor’s office, the Governor, Lynelle Perry, shows Jamie the video announcing John and Beth’s candidate’s run for State Attorney General. Not only is Jamie no longer running unopposed, they let their new candidate, Cassidy, use the announcement speech that was written for him.

Governor Perry tells Jamie he’s going to have to be ruthless when running for office, then she brings him in to meet with Thomas Rainwater. Jamie is surprised to say the least. He turns to leave, but Rainwater cautions that if he walks out that door he’ll lose. Cassidy now has Jamie’s platform, but Rainwater can give him a new one and it’ll be one Cassidy can’t take.

Jamie takes a seat and agrees to listen. Rainwater says he doesn’t have a secret agenda, he just wants tribal issues to get the attention they deserve. Jamie says he’ll need to think about it and asks for the day.

Kayce goes to see John at his office as the Livestock Commissioner. John is grooming him to take his place in the role. Kayce says he doesn’t want to be Livestock Commissioner, and John agrees he can’t be for about 15 years, but it’ll take Kayce that long to earn the credibility he’ll need. John says the office is the key to protecting Yellowstone and every other ranch like it. Kayce is cleared to start riding along on jobs for the office.

Kayce says he’s concerned about starting down this path. A lot can go wrong. But John tells Kayce he should let him worry about it. Kayce tries to register reasons he won’t be fit for office but John allays his fears. Defeated, Kayce leaves.

He goes to Monica’s new apartment at faculty housing. Things are still awkward between them. Tate is excited to see Kayce and shows him his new room. He has new bunk beds and informs Kayce that Kayce can stay over in one of them.

Kayce tries to give Monica some money. Then he tells her he doesn’t know how to not be with her. She’s his best friend. She agrees that he’s hers too but something had to change. And instead of changing, Kayce went to work for his father. Kayce protests that she told him to leave. Monica counters that everyone tells him to leave and he keeps doing it instead of staying and fighting for the life he wants. Tate  tries to stop his parents from arguing. As he leaves, Kayce says that if Monica wanted something different she should have asked for it.