Written by Taylor Sheridan and directed by Michael Friedman, Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 13, titled “Give The World Away,” features the Dutton siblings plotting. Jamie (Wes Bentley) is plotting how to save his ass, Beth (Kelly Reilly) is plotting how to pay the IRS, and Kayce is plotting how to save the legacy their father essentially gave his life to protect. As Rip (Cole Hauser) prepares the Yellowstone for the upcoming fire sale auction that will help pay off the ranch’s mortgage and back property taxes, Beth decides to head to Texas to supervise Travis Wheatley’s (Taylor Sheridan) sale of their big money horses. Back at the Broken Rock Reservation, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and Mo Brings Plenty (Mo Brings Plenty) scheme to steal the pipe for the planned pipeline. Elsewhere, Detective Dillard (Rory Cochrane) serves Ellis Steele (John Emmet Tracy) and Market Equities with a search warrant for the contents of the deceased Sarah Atwood’s office.
On her flight, Beth answers a phone call from a distressed Jamie, whom she has labeled as “Fucktard” in her contacts. “You destroy me, you destroy yourself, and you destroy your family,” Jamie warns as he watches a news cast that alludes to his potential involvement in his father’s death. Beth is unbothered and reiterates her promise to kill him when this is all over. She eventually arrives at Travis’ home base of the Bosque Ranch and must pull him away from a steamy game of strip poker and get him to focus on selling their prize horses for a whopping $3M. Later, at a wild pool party, Beth convinces Travis to help them jack up the prices at the Yellowstone auction, which he graciously agrees to do, after fooling Beth into playing some strip poker.
The Bunkhouse boys arrive at the Yellowstone where they and Teeter (Jen Landon) continue to mourn Colby. Rip (Cole Hauser) breaks the news to Ryan (Ian Bohen) and the rest that they will have to find new employment since he can only afford to keep on Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) and Carter (Finn Little) full-time.
With his tail between his legs, Jamie makes a surprising visit to his ex and mother of his son, Christina (Katherine Cunningham). She reluctantly agrees to help him because, as she tells him, “Your legacy is [our] child’s legacy.” In a stirring monologue, Christina advises him to launch an investigation and somehow connect Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) to John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) death “no matter how thin the case.” It’s good advice, and Jamie takes it.
The day before the auction arrives and Kayce tells Beth and Monica (Kelsey Asbillie) that John’s body is about to be released from the morgue. Monica volunteers to bring his body back to the ranch for the funeral after the festivities are over. Even though it will be just family, Beth invites Senator Lynette Perry (Wendy Moniz) to join them. After a fun montage of some good old-fashion cowboying and a pre-auction party/concert, we see the ranch full of life and music before the impending sale. On the dance floor, Kayce reveals to Monica that he’s figured out how to save this place.
After a wild night at the Deerfield Club consoling Teeter by ripping into “those rip fucking invaders that wrecked this place,” Beth returns to the Yellowstone for the fire sale . Before the event, the auctioneers pay tribute to the memories of John and Colby in a sweet speech. The auction commences and is a success. Later, Beth tells Kayce they raked in over $30M with the cattle included. “Buys us another year,” says Beth happily. “It’s the closest thing we’re getting to good news this week.”
Not to be outdone by his big sister, Kayce offers her a hypothetical regarding her expensive car: “If I were to buy your car for $1, and I take this $300K car that I bought for $1 and I register it, what do I pay in sales tax? Is it based off what I paid or the value of the car?” Floored, Beth confirms the tax is based on what you personally paid for the vehicle. As Kayce heads to his car to drive away with Monica and Tate (Breckin Merril), his plan dawns on Beth. She marvels to herself, “why didn’t I think of that?” Beth runs after him and asks, “Who?” “Give me the day just to make sure,” replies Kayce. “Thank you,” says Beth earnestly. When Monica asks what the plan is, Kayce finally tells hers: “The only way to save this place, you gotta give it away.”
Let’s break down 5 important moments from the episode that are fun easter eggs and/or could have repercussions throughout the rest of the season.
DEERFIELD CLUB
We’re back at the Deerfield club! Fans of the series know that the bar/restaurant is the setting for many of Beth’s most memorable scenes and encounters over the years. That Jamie and Sarah once hooked up there in Season 5, Episode 4 was a factoid that she leaked to the press to further incriminate him.
And of course it is the Deerfield Club where she brings Teeter to blow off some steam after the death of Colby. Beth reveals that when she’s upset, she goes to a “bar for the tourists and the transplants” and waits for some asshole to pick her up.Then she “slice[s] him from pecker to sternum, metaphorically speaking.” In a welcome moment of levity, we watch Teeter follow Beth’s example and succeed in her own special way.
BOSQUE RANCH & BELLA HADID
The team behind Yellowstone pride themselves on bringing authenticity to the screen, which is why Sheridan is happy to share his real-life properties and colleagues with audiences. While it is common knowledge that Sheridan owns the famed 6666 ranch in Guthrie, Texas, he also owns the Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. So, it only makes sense that his Yellowstone character, professional horseman Travis Wheatley, would operate out of there.
Viewers also might have been surprised by Hadid’s appearance as Travis’ girlfriend, Sadie. Turns out, Sheridan and Hadid go way back. In addition to ruling the runway, Hadid is an accomplished equestrian and is well-known in the rodeo circuit. The two recently competed together at the NCHA Celebrity Horse Cutting event in Fort Worth.
CHRISTINA HELPS JAMIE TO HELP THEIR SON
Well, Jamie still has one (reluctant) ally left in Christina, his estranged ex-girlfriend/ex-campaign manager and the mother of his son. We last saw Christina back in Season 4, Episode 9 when Jamie revealed to her that his biological father, Garrett (Will Patton), served 30 years in prison for killing his biological mother.
Christina is determined to protect her son’s legacy, which means protecting Jamie. A shrewd political strategist, Christina expertly counsels Jamie on his next steps: he will champion John and John’s policies to show his love for Montana as he identifies and condemns Sarah as the sole person responsible for John’s murder. Jamie’s lucky to have Christina in his corner.
LARAMIE RETURNS
The fire sale auction brought back many familiar faces to the Yellowstone ranch including Jimmy Hurdstorm (Jefferson White) and his fianceé Emily (Kathryn Kelly). Laramie, played by Hassie Harrison, makes a surprise appearance. Fans will remember her as the barrel racer turned ranch hand who jilted Lloyd for Walker (Ryan Bingham) back in Season 4. Her character is still in a happy relationship with Walker.
It’s no surprise that Harrison was available to reprise her role. Harrison’s and Bingham’s on-screen romance turned into a real-life love for the ages. The two were married in a private ceremony in October 2023, but didn’t share the news publicly until May 2024. Yee-haw!
MO WAS RIGHT
After Mo Brings Plenty guides him on his vision quest in the Season 4 finale, Kayce has seen him as a mentor. Since the death of his father, Kayce has depended on Mo more than ever. In Season 5, Episode 11, Kayce and Mo have a quiet moment together during which Kayce reiterates his vision that he will have to choose between his family—specifically Monica and Tate—and the ranch. Kayce tells Mo: “I don’t know what it means. Choose how? Choose when? Choose what?” “You’re not supposed to know yet,” replies Mo. “When the time comes, you’ll know.”
As Kayce and Monica dance at the concert after the auction, she asks him about his plans for the future after hearing Beth’s fears for the ranch. “I have a different plan,” Kayce tells her happily. “Mine guarantees a future.” “Can you tell me what it is?” asks Monica. “Not telling anyone yet,” replies Kayce. “I know in my heart it’s gonna work. I know it’s the right thing.” Looks like Mo was right!