Paramount+’s Dutton Ranch episode three opens with Beth (Kelly Reilly) asking where Rip (Cole Hauser) went in the middle of the night. He doesn’t offer a detailed explanation, only that he has things on his mind. They both have busy days ahead but still make time for a morning ride around their new ranch.
Beth helps Rip herd the cattle to a watering hole, promising she’ll return from Dallas with a deal for their beef.
(The following is a recap of episode three, “Act of God Business,” and there are spoilers.)
Elsewhere, Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) eulogizes a local sheriff who just passed away. She sounds more like a politician trying to win over voters than a true friend. Everett’s in attendance and after the funeral they laugh that her speech almost made them both like the deceased. It’s obvious there used to be something more than friendship between Everett (Ed Harris) and Beulah. When she says she’s missed him, Everett doesn’t echo the sentiment.
Sheriff Wade (Josh Stewart) warns Beulah that Wes’s wife, Whitney, believes someone at 10-Petal had something to do with her husband going missing. She reminds him that she contributed to his election and wants him to keep that in mind.
Beth picks up some of the gorgeous steaks Claudio (David DeLao) cut for her and learns his business has been declining, thanks to ranches going under or being bought by Big Beef. They promise to take care of each other’s businesses.
Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind) talks Carter (Finn Little) into ditching school, again, because she had another fight with Hoyt. He’s a serial cheater and she knows he’s at Nicole’s right now. She’s pure trouble but Carter doesn’t care, and he helps her take her anger out on Hoyt’s truck in front of Nicole’s house.
Hoyt runs out, waving a gun and ordering them to leave. Carter and Oreana take off as Hoyt yells that he’s going to kill Carter. They haven’t gone far before Sheriff Wade pulls them over. He’s done with Oreana’s antics, and although he wants to like Carter, he’s treading on thin ice. Wade orders Carter to take Oreana home and threatens to arrest them if he sees them again.
Azul (J.R. Villarreal) grabs Rip and takes him to see one of their steers. It’s drooling and after looking at its hoof, Rip shoots it. Everett arrives shortly and examines the deceased animal, confirming it’s foot-and-mouth disease. Everett blames the spread on anti-vaxxers who don’t protect cattle from a preventable disease. Animals are being shipped all over that aren’t vaccinated.
Everett promises to do what he can to stop the spread of the disease. He’ll also keep it a secret, so it doesn’t start a panic. Rip orders Zachariah (Marc Menchaca) and Azul to quarantine the herd and set up a temporary camp to stay with them. Everett volunteers to help, happy to see Zachariah out of jail and back working as a cowboy.
Meanwhile, Beth pulls up to a hotel valet and has absolutely no patience with the three women blocking the road for an impromptu photo shoot. They don’t move until she honks. Minor annoyance over, Beth makes her way to the kitchen and makes a deal with Chef Paula (Makayla Did) to add her ribeye to the family meal.
After it’s served, she sits down with Giles (Sebastian Arcelus), the man in charge, and he recognizes her last name. Although he knows the Yellowstone, he doesn’t need to add another rancher to his supply list. Of course, Beth doesn’t accept no as an answer. She reveals she has Black Angus cattle with impeccable genetics. Giles asks if she bought the Edwards ranch and when she says yes, he’s impressed.
They have a drink and he fills her in on how the high-end restaurants work in Texas. Her beef is good, but she’ll still have lots of competition and she’ll need to work with the Frontier Hospitality Group. He’ll make the intro call but Zane Nash from FHG can be difficult. Beth believes she can handle him.
Beulah visits Austin (Sterlin English), the cowboy Chet beat up, and offers to pay his hospital bills. He wants to go back to work at the 10-Petal and return to a normal life. Beulah suggests they talk about that once he’s back on his feet. Mariano calls when she’s being driven home and warns her that he doesn’t want any more surprises after he learns that her foreman Wes is gone.
Rip’s out watching the cattle when a car races past the field at a high speed and heads toward the barn. Anna (Dale Dickey) jumps out, pointing a gun at Zachariah. Everett tries to defuse the situation as Azul grabs a rifle. Zachariah drops to his knees and says he’s ready, but Rip walks up and calmly asks her to put down the gun. Anna insists Zachariah needs to pay for killing her daughter, Theresa.
Azul didn’t drop the rifle and covers Rip as he approaches Anna. Rip asks if Theresa would find peace in her killing Zachariah. Anna allows him to take the gun, and Everett helps her walk away.
Zachariah is on his knees praying, and Rip warns him his prayers better be genuine.
Beulah visits Whitney’s place and the door’s open so she walks in. Beulah looks around, notices Whitney’s clothes are gone, and calls someone saying this is going to be a problem.
Azul, Zachariah, Rip, and Everett sit around a campfire at night, and Rip asks about Theresa. Zachariah claims they were in love but didn’t tell Anna or the rest of the family. He was drunk, they got into an argument, and he accidentally killed her. Zachariah wonders if he can ever be forgiven, and Everett notes that Rio Paloma has a long memory. The town blamed Zachariah and Zachariah thinks he deserved it. Azul disagrees and suggests that Zachariah needs to forgive himself.
Back in Dallas, Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) takes a seat next to Beth, placing three phones on the bar in front of him. He claims they’re all for business and introduces himself as representing 10-Petal Ranch. She wonders if he followed her and a glance at his hands confirms he’s not a cowboy. Joaquin reveals Beulah raised him like family. He offers to help her if the Dutton Ranch needs anything, and Beth leaves without accepting – or declining – the offer.
Carter takes Oreana back to his room instead of her home. She sees a photo of the Yellowstone, and Carter admits he’d like to go back. She strips to her bra and panties and puts on one of his shirts, making herself comfortable. Oreana lights up a joint and passes it to Carter, warning him not to be scared. He claims he’s not, but it’s obvious the situation is way out of his comfort zone. She lays down in his lap and then pulls him in for a kiss.
Meanwhile, Everett praises Rip for everything he’s doing and for hiring Zachariah. “He’s a good man; he’s just done some terrible things,” says Everett. Rip believes that applies to almost everyone.
Beth’s driving home when she calls Rip and he tells her to get home as quick as she can. She’s instantly on alert, worried about him and Carter. Rip assures her they’re fine, but she needs to come home now.
Beulah checks on her kids’ rooms, but none of them are home. Oreana’s still with Carter, Rob-Will is in rehab, and Joaquin’s in Dallas.
Rip stays with the cattle through the night, keeping an eye on the herd.
Oreana and Carter have sex, again, as Beth pulls onto the ranch. She spots a light in the field and stops. Rip finds another cow down and a calf at her feet just as Beth walks up.
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