What a beautiful, full-circle moment in the latest episode of Dutton Ranch.
Episode 4, titled “Start With A Bullet,” hit Paramount+ today, and it will air on Paramount Network tonight, however one particular scene is already getting Yellowstone fans in their feels… in the best possible way. If won’t get into any meaningful plot spoilers in this blog, but if you don’t want to know anything at all… feel free to click on through to the next article.
It’s no secret that Dutton Ranch has been a success with fans… it’s had the single biggest debut on Paramount+ history with nearly 13 million viewers. That’s more than Landman, Tulsa King, The Madison, any of the other Yellowstone spinoffs, and way more than even MobLand, who had nearly 9 million. It feels like Yellowstone Season 6, and fans are loving it. The story takes us down to Texas where Beth, Rip and Carter have moved to continue ranching operations after their Montana ranch burned to the ground. And despite the struggles and hardships of ranching, especially in Texas, Beth, Rip and Carter appear to be living like one big happy family. But speaking of being a “family,” let’s take a walk back through some of the unkind history of this “family.”
Beth & Carter’s History
If you remember back to the Season 4 Finale there was one scene in particular that had fans talking, well… yelling. It was when Carter calls Beth his “mama,” and she had to tell him the cold hard truth that she does not consider herself to be his mother. I mean, you wanna talk about absolutely crushing the spirits of a young orphan who is just desperate for love and acceptance? Beth ruthlessly left him in tears.
In the scene, you can tell that she wants to be considered his mother so bad when she responded “hi baby” to him, but her nature won’t allow her to do it.
The backlash was so bad that actress Kelly Reilly (Beth) addressed a comment on her social media about why her character is so mean to Carter. And for an actor to address the plot of a movie or show on socials just because it makes people feel sad is pretty unheard of. But Reilly acknowledged that she rarely comments back to fans, however she wanted to set the record straight.
She responded with a deep explanation of Beth’s motive:
“I understand. It was supposed to be brutal and heartbreaking. I don’t usually comment but want to say this… Beth was about to do something that will ruin her life. She is about to go into prison and kill the man that she thinks attacked her family. She knows there is a chance she will not come back. She can’t tell this kid she is his mother and then leave him abandoned again. Beth is honest. It’s tough sometimes, really tough but that’s how she was raised,.. but it’s always truthful. When I read it I had the same feeling for them both. But honestly, not sure Beth in that moment was ready to be that for anyone… she was out for vengeance and could see nothing else. (There is a moment, where I hope you see the fight in her after he calls her that) I think the heart wants it but she has to protect that kid from herself… not sure that will make any sense. But let’s see where the writer will take them… I have hope.”
I think I can speak for everybody when I say that scene was heart-wrenching for everybody. As we all know, Beth definitely wants and deserves to be a mother after everything that’s happened to her, but it appears that she truly was looking out for Carter’s best interest giving the situation.
However, when Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) was later asked about that scene, and what fans could expect in Season 5, he said that it would take time, but the idea of Carter becoming a son to them was in the realm of possibility. He said:
“I think there’s potential for it. I mean, you know, Rip, as you’ve seen throughout the years, he’s tough love. And I think the thing with him is it takes time. I think that’s just who he is. And I think, over time it might not be Season 4, might be Season 5, but you might see that. I mean, it’s really up to Taylor. It just shows another side of not only of Beth, but Rip, and also the ranch, and John Dutton… it’s this new character that’s necessary for their growth of their relationship as well.”
Well… I guess we can’t call it Season 6, but the latest episode of Dutton Ranch had finally reached the “son” moment.
When Beth drops Oreana Jackson off at the 10 Petal (after catching her in bed with Carter) she tells Beulah that she was “in bed with my son.” It’s the first time we ever heard her refer to Carter as her son, and later in the episode, when they’re talking about it, Beth even tells Carter that she loves him. You want to talk about character growth and development?
It was such a special and emotional moment fans, who have been invested in Carter since he came to the show as a little boy.
Fan Reaction
Fans couldn’t help but express their excitement for the emotional moment:
“I’ve been waiting to hear her say that to him for years, and it paid off! This episode did an amazing job showing us how much Carter means to Beth, and has really embraced accepting him as her son.
“So between these two turns of phrase I can now die a happy woman. I LOVE a mothership, love love love. Even if he called her out at the end, which OUCH after that day- I think they’ll iron it out. She was trying to be a good mama and protect him.”
“I love how if it was anyone else calling her out like that she would’ve fought back, but with Carter she just hears him and apologizes. She genuinely hates that she hurt him.”
“That is her BABY. She’s only got one shot at being mama and I think their relationship means a lot to her.”
“When I heard her say “My Son”… I literally screamed at my desk and replayed that scene like 20 times. I still can’t stop smiling.”
“I’m just so happy about it that I don’t have room yet to be sad about the hers tbh. I’ve been waiting for this moment since she crushed his ‘Mornin’ Mama'”
“I’m here for it! Beth-Carter was actually my most anticipated relationship when Dutton Ranch was announced!”
“The impeccable-ness of the mothership cannot be overstated. A boy who needed a mama and a mama who needed a boy and a dad who said he’d never be their son and despite all best efforts here is this amazing little family.”
“This has made my entire summer.”
“That’s her baby that’s always been her baby! Love this she has the softest spot for Carter & Rip only.”
“With all of that it was heartbreaking. Cried like a baby.”
“Such loving moments in quite an emotionally packed episode.”
“Whether they officially adopted him or not, I don’t know….but IF it’s ever confirmed that his last name is now Dutton, I would literally melt into a puddle on the floor.”
Of course, the end of the episode ended with some fireworks between Beth and Carter, but that’s all part of a family dynamic. I won’t get into the rest of the episode, it was definitely packed with emotion and heartbreak in more ways than one. We’ll just have to see how it all shakes out, but oh, how far we’ve come, right?
Check out the trailer for Episode 4: “Start With A Bullet”
