‘Dutton Ranch’ Stunner: He Didn’t Need to Die! Episode 5 Ending Explained [REVIEW]

An important Dutton Ranch character met his fate, while Beth and Rip made major career moves. Episode 5 also featured a stunning partnership.

A one-word description of how fans should feel after Ep. 5 is "anxious."

On the surface, the Duttons look to have made two very sound business moves, but longtime Yellowstone fans know it's never quite that easy.

In fact, Beth says as much during a candid conversation with farmhand Zachariah early on.

• Episode 5 of Dutton Ranch is called "Peaceful Find Peace," and it debuted on Paramount+ Friday morning (June 5).
• This episode is all about what's next for Rip, Beth and Carter after last week's devastation on their ranch.
• The show is on track for a July 3 season finale.

Spoiler Alert! I'm about to break down Episode 5 of Dutton Ranch, in detail. If you don't want to know, come back later. The Dutton Rules podcast team will spend more time breaking down the action next Tuesday (June 2) at 2PM CT.

Dutton Ranch, Episode 5 Recap:

The episode begins with Beth and Rip standing beneath a sunrise, contemplating life without a herd. Quickly, Rip takes a meeting that introduces the first of a two-part plan to rebuild.

Beulah Jackson hires him as the new foreman at the 10 Petal Ranch, and quickly he begins to enforce his brand of organization.

The old foreman Chet is fired, Austin (with the broken arm) lets Rip know about Wes (the body Rip found on his property), who's missing, and the day ends with Rip and Beulah agreeing to a handsome salary.

Meanwhile, Beth spends the day researching the problems that have plagued the Jacksons over the last 25 years, and she shows up with a bottle Oban 18 and a pitch for Beulah: hire her, too.

Essentially, Beth wants to do for Beulah what she wanted to do for her father John Dutton: Create a bespoke farm-to-table ranch that is recession proof.

"I'm offering you an exit," she says after a tense but productive conversation.

The end result is that both Beth and Rip work for the 10 Petal. Beulah's son Joaquin doesn't like this at all, but she holds firm.

At the very end of the ep., Rip tells Beth about the body he found (Wes), and they agree to proceed with caution. There's just one loose end.

Beulah's other son Rob Will is "back in the saddle" after a stay in rehab, but the only one who knows it Chet, his ally in killing Wes. Previews all but promise he'll create chaos.

Carter and the Leopard, Part 2

Carter's storyline continues to be a confusing addition to Dutton Ranch.

He keeps skipping school to hang with Dwight White, the lazy rancher with the beer and the leopard. A real friendship forms between them and Dwight actually gives Carter sound advice about staying in school before shutting his eyes for a nap.

For reasons never made clear, police show up at Dwight's ranch with lights flashing and the old man tries to run for it. The sheriff shoots him dead without provocation, later telling Carter of all his alleged, non-violent crimes.

READ MORE: Yellowstone Best Scenes Revealed [Season 1-5]

"Smart people don't ask dangerous questions," the cop tells Carter before the teen agrees to keep his mouth shut about everything. Instead of walking back to his truck, he calls Oreana and falls into her arms as he begins to sob. It'd have been sweet if not so confusing.

Dutton Ranch, Episode 5 Review:

Beth and Rip's plan to rebuild their ranch is very attractive. On paper, it's a great sales pitch.

Rip will clean up the operation, while Beth works to grow it, all for his salary and 20 percent of profits. They'll be rich, and it will be a lot of fun watching former foes become business partners.

Rob Will's premature return and the shadow of a drug empire only heighten anticipation for each new episode.

Sure, Ep. 5 was slow, but it was never boring. We now know why culling the herd was necessary for the sake of the season.

These last two episodes didn't just set up what remains of this season; they've informed several seasons to come, offering clear distinction between Dutton Ranch and Yellowstone.

I criticized Ep. 4 and will walk back those remarks slightly with this new information. One problem still remains: Carter is floundering.

His relationship with Oreana is in neutral, and he's spent the last three weeks hanging out with a loser two to three times his age. The lack of a solid explanation for police presence on Dwight's land undermines everything that came next — it all just felt like filler.

Maybe a connection is coming, but the Yellowstone franchise doesn't have a great history with big cat scenes (see Season 2 of 1923). I'm hoping Carter begins working alongside Rip and Beth again soon.