Lonesome Rhodes

Some people need killin'. Beth be one of them. The moment of the series, imo, was when she had told John in the barn that they had won, only to have that super ceded with a final message of revenge. This is when it was proven beyond all question that she was wholly subsumed by evil. Her odds of ending well are monstrous. Kayce is most definitely the one who took the Hero's Journey. He pretty much finished it well. He even managed to drag Monica along that same trail. Her former self was a horrid mess. But, through Kayce's patient love and mentorship, she chose to open her eyes that character has not a thing to do with identity. I was happy for her that she got to witness the overwhelmingly profound negotiation between hubby and Rainwater. It affirmed the best of her culture and her choice to live her vows of fidelity as a wife and a mother. This all was truly a Great Escape for both of them. The murderous fight between Beth and Jamie was a joke. How many pauses for conversation were there? Beth figured out pretty quick that Jamie would beat her if the fight were prolonged. She would have done most anything to end him ASAP. But noooooo...she had to rehash. Jamie was just as guilty. What farce. The forensics would easily and certainly put Beth's story to lies. The lack of blood on the floor from the time the cops arrived was also a joke. Rip did not have the time to clean it all up. Traces of it would be discovered all over and the amount would be discerned. It's insanity to buy the unspoken acceptance that she will get away with it all. This whole mess was catnip for the sensationalistic media. If Rip is such a fantastic leader, how did he not know that a huge and pristine ranch in Montana was on the market? How did that fact never come up in all the build-up? I dearly loved the display of tough love, cowboy-style, being honored. Idiot Jimmie finally figured it out and he was loving life. He earned respect and he now knows he is worth a spit. No man can ask for more, imo. Leave it to Rainwater to put the final bow on this series: "The Creator did it." For all the power and might on display from minute one, this story demonstrated the ultimate futility of man. I genuinely love the circle of the sanctity of the land closing back, for at least awhile. It was a great touch that its long-suffering keepers are again its stewards. As I've said before, I have much respect for Costner's original vision for this show. I'll never know if this was the ending he ultimately wanted, but it absolutely worked.

I agree. I should have been more clear. Beth/John took out huge mortgages through the years, the last one partly as a maneuver to transfer ownership/management. That debt would transfer to whomever buys/acquires the property (Probably Rainwater). And that's why Beth never thought of the $1 solution. Nobody would take on that debt. It's all a Sheridan construct and I'm sure it's not kosher in several aspects.

I'm pretty sure John made Beth Executor and made her swear that everything left, if anything, would go to Tate. The haste was due to the Guv's plans to seize everything he could, with the Assembly's approval, by removing any protections JD may have managed to wrangle. It was a matter of days, IIRC. Market Equities was not playing, either. They were already building out some land (not sure who most recently owned said land).

I loved this ep. Sure, the beauty shots and the shows/sales didn't do much for the story, but it was a fitting goodbye to that life. I adore Travis. His code is better than John Dutton's ever was. He made his deal with the Devil and he does not apologize, same as John. Very much like Beth, he does have a very limited redeeming side. I hope the "solution" closes the circle of the Dutton's and the Confederated Tribes. This would be a phenomenal way for the series to go out. Jamie's "solution" is entirely unworkable because he could never claim jurisdiction away from the Helena P.D. and from Kayce's badge. More importantly, he would never have the stones to actually carry out the various deceptions. He'd also be impeached so fast that even Beth's Bentley couldn't match it. Teeter's verbal assault on the bar dude was epic. It was all kinds of wrong, but it actually was right. Atta girl. I'm pretty darn sure that there is no actual way for the Dutton sibs and Tate to walk away with any real assets/cash. The gargantuan debt remains, whomever ends up with it. But, I'm perfectly willing to suspend disbelief. This final hurrah was magnificent, and in its many flaws, beautiful.

That Jimmy is even at that ranch and allowed to work is as big an affirmation of his worth as anything else could be. If the others didn't rip him for doing some doofus thing, it would be the ultimate disrespect (indifference). It's like in football (another macho enterprise) where if a coach is yelling at you, it's to make you better. If the coaches stop yelling, it means they've given up and you may as well quit the team. I also saw ultimate respect and regard paid to Jimmy when his grieving manifested. The detective was absolutely correct as to anything he could see in plain view within the space he was welcomed to enter (the living room, in this case). But yes, it does not extend to the full house, hence, the cops left without searching anywhere else. I'm glad Sheridan clearly outlined why Beth has gotsta steer clear of Jamie while the heat is on. She has the choice to try to save what she can for her family, or exact well-earned revenge on a *** not worth it. We now have the Governor and the Helena PD in full agreement that Jamie needs to go down and go down hard. Is she wise enough to understand that murdering Jamie would never fill the hole she has and that being at her best and strongest for Rip and what's left of the land is where redemption of any kind lies? Perhaps the most poignant moment in the series for me was the visual of Teeter leaning on her horse's neck with Walker (name?) on his horse with head bowed and hat in hand at his waist. What a beautiful and profound expression of loss and agony. Words would only cheapen that. For once, Sheridan knew to stand down. Nits: The Mercedes' back door not having been instantly (automatically) locked when the daughter was inside was inexplicable...Kayce's mystical vision was to specifically engage in a MAD scenario with the hit boss? Nuh uh. It would have been more general, e.g. do whatever it takes to protect his family, or that a "coup" was required. He'd be a pure fool to not discuss the details and approach with his Special Ops buddy prior to taking action. I'll end by observing Beth's parting words to Carter, "Sure, you do." are rich as can be and fraught with meaning. Is his family herself and Rip? Is it the Yellowstone crew? Is it the Cowboy-world writ large? Well done, Sheridan.

Great ep. No way could the new Guv pull off his stunt Assembly resolution in that moment, but it sure was fun to see. I also am having a problem with the Helena P.D. Chief organizing that presser with significant support beside him on such an expedited basis, let alone that he instantly chose to go hardcore by declaring a homicide instead of "unknown" cause of death. But, again, it sure was fun to watch. Awesome to see Rainwater so weakened, yet determined as always to search for anything that can prolong that environment. His outline of the feckless and corrupt federal government was tremendous. The mysticism (visions) is super interesting to me. I am happy to suspend disbelief to see where it goes. Mo Brings Plenty, indeed. Sheridan has boxed himself (and Jamie) in. Sarah would be quickly connected to Jamie and the investigation of her murder would bring heat our boy would never have the stomach nor the smarts to handle. Beth will have to steer entirely clear of him because of the full-on and legit investigation of John's murder, but that would take away so much draaaaaama. It does not make any sense at all to me why Kayce had not already invoked police powers and pressured the Coroner. Nothing was a higher priority to him than figuring out what really happened to his father. But, again, fun sequence. I am totally looking forward to more scenes with Kayce's Special Forces buddy.

I loved the open with the homage/paean to the Cowboy Way. Then, blammo! The risks and dangers are literally deadly. And they are incredibly random. No sane person would choose such a life. One with crazy passion would, though. Anyway, the juxtaposition within the open was quite powerful, imo. Market equities lost tens of millions of dollars which they invested in developing the Yellowstone and Confederated reservation environs. It seems perfectly rational for them to at least try to claw some of it back. If they can actually make it pay, all the better. So, here we are. I just wish Harvey Korman were around to recreate Hedley as a ME executive. I have a sneaking suspicion that Summer is gonna return with some environmental/climate change juice behind her to help Beth and Kayce save the day. I'd love to see Rainwater somehow bring in Native allies, and federal powers that be, to trump Montana law. I love the possibilities of the Black Ops group. Of course, ugh, Beth will prove to be savvier and tougher than them. Didja notice absolutely perfect weather for all scenes and all locations? Give me a break.

I can't stand Jimmy, but it was quite something to see Rip treat him respectfully, almost like a colleague. I loved that the others still mocked the stew out of him and that he was utterly clueless about his ride taking off. The transfer of the cattle to the pasture was a nice moment, well choreographed, and beautifully photographed. Rip's speech about 30 years out was hard to listen to. Not sure about the environmental impacts he also declared, but it's hard to argue the death of the profession. I found Grant, and the whole murder-for- hire sequence, was much too antiseptic and spare. Did Sheridan try to give us his version of SPECTRE (James Bond syndicate)? it seems to me that Jamie would have executed some legal documents that would be filed to supersede what Beth would file. His lover (Sarah?) would also have been moving other chess pieces to maximize benefit of the hit. Love, love, love, Rainwater and Mo Brings Plenty. The conversation they had as they were contemplating pipeline failure seemed far too portentious. All the other massive threats they've faced, and this is the last stand? There should have been a scene to set this one up. At least Rip was seen to have used his truck to break supersonic records. I wouldn't put it past this show to have had him ride his horse home.

This one may have set the record for insanity in a single ep. Good for Keisha. So now she cares about a loser like Cam and Bringston, generally? She is about to experience enormous change and meet very impactful people. NYC thereafter. Rear view mirror, honey. The whole tennis team resentment deal was absurd. Farce. Did they not do stuff to promote the heck out of the team in the very recent past? Then, the idea that Simone, or anyone, could have put together, solo, that HoF picture display in a matter of hours? Unpossible. She also had time to go to Lando's lair. Riiiight. Cam has zero chance of being a success in the music industry. He quit after two whole rejections?! Laughable. The reason that the overwhelming majority of peeps in entertainment, who did not have family connections made/make it, is by "showing up." It worked for me that way, and for my fellow struggling peers. We actually liked it when most would just falloff (self-selection). We never failed to take advantage of any crumb of a chance to do something when asked. Most of it was way beneath where we wanted to be, and was often at our personal expense. Only then, we got "The Call." Cam has no shot. I saw Hank larger than life while Cam was performing. It was not possible for Cam to not also see him. But, he was surprised when Hank came up to him? Ugh. J. Marx allowing Cam to release the single does make sense, imo. It wasn't gonna work for J, and he owned it. So, free money if Cam somehow sold it. With Hank producing it, it's a reasonable calculus. The massive irony is that after alllll the mess about the shady dude sponsoring the baseball team and how one should never compromise one's principles, Cam is thrilled to sign with Hank again (or is it the evil J. Marx?). Horrid continuity within a single ep! The final match was badly presented. First, Simone was on serve at 5-4. She was not behind. Then, the match point was incredible, as in unpossible. Simone chose to go to the net (huge irony given that her whole deal now was to stay at the baseline). We then saw several volleys. Then, out of nowhere, Simone was back deep and then instantly won with a shot at the net. Physically unpossible as depicted. The drug accusation would go away instantly. She already passed such a test. Oh. The baseball players would ALL have instant eligibility due to the school dropping the sport. J.R. is obviously good enough to attract offers. His career is not over, unless of course, he is a quitter like Cam. I still think we'll see Damon.

This was like watching a Monday afternoon of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Cameos from some bigtime acts (Buble/Schon & Journey) interspersed with excellent variety acts (Solange/Rhythm) and choreo/strength acts. There was even a famous assistant host (Biles). It really was a great 90 minutes of TV. The Top 5 were as predictable as can be. AGT avoided a major controversy, imo, with the drone group finishing third. The nice man won and the fabulous dog lost. That's the way the AGT cookie crumbles. All in all, this was a pretty good year. The GBs being handed out like Halloween candy bugged, but in the end, a worthy act was crowned.

Host Terry Crews reveals who America has chosen as the Season 19 winner; special guests perform.

I was referencing the big country dude in the trio. Richard was good.

Boy, did everyone (except the comedian) bring it tonight! Each singer did what they did very well. Of these, I liked the lady from Oakland who started the show, the most. It would be ridiculous if a singer won it, though. The choreo and strength/balancing acts crushed. Lord, how to choose among the bigger group and the group of 4 (Airfootworks)?! The rope act did well, but the limitation of the lady's injury dooms them, imo. Solange was really good. Unfortunately, her card tricks got lost in the pace and the glitter. Roni and Rhythm are an all-time AGT act. They would get my vote. But, I'd be fine with the choreos, strength and balancing group, or Solange winning, as well. The David Alan Grier promo shoot sketch was a mess. Went on way too long. I did enjoy hearing the call letters of the various affiliates being butchered by the indifferent jidges. Finally, a tip o' the cap to the set designers. Their work actually integrated really well and enhanced the presentations. The Director missed some critical shots, notably the final big reveal by Solange. The massive amount of matching white confetti did not help matters. But, once again, AGT production values were pretty much as good as it gets each season.

Me not feelin' Simoney, either. It's quite a thing to me that the one real victim here made an amend that wasn't hers to make and now she is gonna experience a betrayal she'll carry with her the rest of her life. Of course there aren't any guarantees that a given romance will turn out to be "The One." The odds, in fact, are very large it will not be. Yet, Lando's moving on with a Simone, with all the lies and hurt in their "family," is a particular gut punch. Classic "world revolves around me" moments in this ep. The Athletic Council mess was stunning and hogging all (8?) the courts (I know, she didn't arrange it, but she sure told the spoiled brat to get lost) on a perfect weather day well displays her arrogance. She also refused to step back and allow an up and coming member of the team to grow. Blowing off her House? What's the excuse? She's almost certainly cured? Look, the thing here, though, is that her natural need to circle the wagons feeds her worst narcissistic self as endlessly demonstrated through the years. I did enjoy Cam's awakening. He's much the better for it. There's little doubt he did not register his song for copyright, though. He won't see a nickel for it. Gabby's hardcore self is really cool. I hope she doesn't rebound with Cam. She has way too much going for herself. If Cam is right for her, he'll still be right for her in a couple of years. She's perfect for Layla's (or anyone's) burgeoning empire. What a montage! Jordan!!!! But, no baby. Nate and Keisha in NYC. Smells like spin off. Well, it would if the show were actually popular. Then again...the original AA is moving there, yes? Hmmm.

The top 10 acts perform one last time for their chance to win $1 million and be named the most talented act in America.