There was a deeper meaning to the strange opening in Yellowstone season 5, episode 10, “The Apocalypse of Change.” Interestingly, the scene did not pick up from where the series left off. Instead, this next installment of Yellowstone season 5 went back in time and returned to Texas, depicting Rip discovering a rattlesnake in Teeter’s tent. After ridding the tent of that snake, Rip and others in the camp discovered that they had set up their tents on top of a nest of vipers.
This opening scene of “The Apocalypse of Change” is part of a longer sequence in Texas in which Beth comes to visit Rip, which eventually leads to the continuation of the story about John’s fate in Yellowstone. Snakes are featured heavily throughout this episode, with Rip warning Teeter not to let them into her tent and Beth calling Summer, her father’s ex-girlfriend, a viper before confronting Jamie about his role in John’s death. These mentions of snakes are purposeful, as is the opening scene, despite its seeming disconnect from the action.
Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 10’s Snake Scene Signifies The Dutton Ranch’s Predicament
The Ranch Is Built On A Figurative Viper’s Nest
The Dutton ranch has always been controversial. Like many pieces of land that have been passed down in white settler families, it sits on property that was stolen from Indigenous people, making its continued existence a source of tension with Chief Rainwater and his tribe. Additionally, there are rich developers who would love to get their hands on the land and turn it into condos or stores, and the Dutton ranch is also under threat from within, as Jamie is in league with the developer who had John killed.
The snake scene is symbolic of the danger at the ranch. Most significantly, Rip’s comment that Teeter invited the snakes in by leaving her tent open instead of making sure it was closed tightly points to the need for the Duttons to protect their property from those who seek to destroy it rather than allowing Jamie unfettered access to the ranch and its assets. Similarly, the fact that the encampment was sitting on top of a viper’s nest is symbolic of the fact that the threat to the ranch is coming from within in Yellowstone season 5.
What Might Happen To The Dutton Ranch At The End Of Yellowstone
It Will Either Be Saved Or Destroyed
Jamie intends to weaponize the legal system to destroy his family’s ranch, believing he can reverse the land trust that John set up and reinstate its lease so that he can seize the property and sell it to developers. If his plan succeeds, the ranch — along with John’s legacy — will be destroyed and turned into a casino and associated stores. However, it’s not likely that this will happen, at least not as easily as Jamie thinks, considering his siblings’ role in the matter.
Kayce is also at play now, following Beth’s confrontation with their adopted brother.
In Yellowstone season 5, episode 10, Jamie thinks that Beth and Rip won’t have the finances to fight him in court, but he should know better than that. Her sister is resourceful, fearless, and motivated by grief. Kayce is also at play now, following Beth’s confrontation with their adopted brother. Jamie is thus underestimating both of them at his own peril. If Beth, Rip, and Kayce save the ranch, they could run it and work the land in the rumored Yellowstone season 6.