Yellowstone season 2, episode 8 recap: Behind Us Only Grey

On last week’s episode of Yellowstone, John talked Jamie out of taking his own life, Monica and Tate moved back to Yellowstone with Kayce, and Beth was attacked by men working for the Beck brothers. Fortunately, she had the presence of mind to text Rip, who saved her but not her assistant. (Thank you to my eagle-eyed readers who pointed out my oversight—Beth texted Rip “office help” just as the attackers came in.)

In contrast to the harrowing end of the previous episode, episode 8, “Behind Us Only Grey,” starts calmly with beautiful shots of the landscape followed by the ranch hands cleaning up around the bunkhouse.

Kayce comes in to get Jamie. Outside, he teaches him how to care for the horses. Kayce apologizes for Jamie’s status as low man but Jamie says he deserves it. Kayce informs him that although Jamie may need it, he doesn’t deserve it. He advises Jamie to lose himself in the work so he can forgive himself and move on. Jamie asks if Kayce forgives him. Kayce responds that Jamie’s his brother.

At the main house, Beth is tending to her very bruised face. She then goes to check on a sleeping Rip.

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After the credits, Monica and Tate are waiting at the breakfast table. Monica won’t let Tate eat until the rest of the family joins them, but John comes in and informs her that if they wait for everyone they’ll never eat.

Kayce comes in. With Beth, who looks and moves terribly, close behind him. Monica says nothing but scrutinizes Beth.

Beth gets up to leave while informing Monica that she should see the other guy. John follows Beth to the porch. Beth worries about what they’re going to tell her assistant’s parents. But John informs her that his concern is her. At the same time, Thomas Rainwater pulls up.

Rainwater and his companion survey the land and discuss how it used to be their tribe’s as Beth and John watch them. Then Dan Jenkins pulls up with his security. Beth asks John what he’s up to. John will only say he’s going to finish what the Becks started.

Jenkins approaches Beth and examines her face. He asks her if the Becks did it. She tells him her face was just the appetizer. Dan gives her his condolences. She tries to pass it off with the old saying “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Dan counters that he doesn’t believe that. Adversity doesn’t make us stronger, just harder. Beth says she’s shooting for Teflon. Dan chuckles and says he understands John better now. Beth too. Beth confesses that when she’s on the ranch she understands herself less.

Once John, Rainwater, and Jenkins have gathered, John thanks them for coming and informs them that now that they’re seen Beth they know what the Becks did to him. Rainwater says they did something similar to him, referring to the murder of his employee that happened in the previous episode. John asks what they did to Jenkins. He confesses they pulled his liquor license — sounds pretty tame in comparison to what the other two experienced.

Jenkins says he doesn’t see the logic in the Becks attacking all three of them. John explains: They want Jenkins to leave, they want Rainwater to stop building the new casino, and they want John to make him.

John admits up until now all three of them have played dirty but none of them have attacked one another’s families on behalf of their businesses. Rainwater throws water on the idea they can work together — their paths will always collide. Eventually someone will win.

However, Rainwater states that John has been a fair enemy. Jenkins says he doesn’t agree that John’s always been fair but at least he’s kept his fight with Jenkins. Now the trio has a common enemy who doesn’t fight fair.

Rainwater asks what John suggests but John turns the question back on him and Jenkins. Jenkins knows John’s games at this point. He says he knows John already has a plan, he just wants to bring Jenkins and Rainwater in on it so they don’t use it against him later. Nonetheless, John gets Jenkins to be the one to suggest that they should kill the Becks.

Rainwater then has his say. Unlike John or Jenkins, if he breaks the law it reflects poorly on his people. However, he adds that if something gets lost on the reservation it rarely gets found because usually there’s no one to look for it. He gives them his word that no one will look if they use the reservation to cover up their crimes.

John says he’s the one who’ll take out the Becks. If he needs either Rainwater’s or Jenkins’ help he’ll expect them to give it without question. He then walks away and Rainwater and Jenkins nod at each other.

On the porch, Monica approaches Beth. Beth reassures her that no one in her personal life hurt her, it was just business. Monica asks what kind of business does that. Beth responds that it’s the family business. Monica gets up to leave and Beth calls after her to ask that she not judge the family for how they protect the thing they’re giving her. Monica says she’s not judging but she doesn’t understand the ranch. Beth recommends she stop trying to.

Elsewhere, we finally see what the Becks are up to as Malcolm furiously stalks into his office. He trashes his desk and throws things. Teal comments if what they’re doing gets much bigger people will start to notice, so how far does Malcolm want to take things. Malcolm claims John’s not giving them much choice. Teal attempts to be the voice of reason by reminding Malcolm that it’s not just John, it’s his children too. Malcolm yells that he wants to take things all the way. Teal asks who Malcolm wants to start with and Malcolm responds they should target the one John loves the most.