Look, this isn't music related, but I'm going to say it. There needs to be a rogue grizzly in the next season of Yellowstone.
When we check back in at the Yellowstone Ranch, we find out that a bear has started taking down cattle one by one. After a few incidents, Rip and the boys investigate only to get away with their lives barely. Bullets seem to bounce off the monster, and the bear even got Jimmy's horse (that's right, I'm writing Jimmy back in this season).
As we all know, no one but no one messes with John Dutton's ranch, so he sets off to take the bear out himself. John finds the grizzly, but his gun jams, leaving him only one viable option--a stare-down. John wins the staring contest, and the two slowly part ways as equals.
Still, even though John respects the apex predator, there is only room for one alpha on the Yellowstone ranch, and he has no choice but to take the grizzly down.
Meanwhile, the New Yorkers are back trying to build another damn airport, thereby threatening the Montana way of life, and of course, The Yellowstone Ranch. John tasks Beth to make the initiative go away, so naturally, she starts buying land. But does she make a mistake when she buys the parcel containing the rogue grizzly's cave?
Attorney General Jamie Dutton knocks on Beth's door. The New Yorkers' property assessors keep disappearing. Does she know anything about that? Of course, she doesn't, but she doesn't say so and instead insults Jamie's baby momma until he starts to cry and storms out without closing any doors.
Beth floors it to the ranch where John Dutton is having lunch with Tate and Kacye while Rip runs the ranch because he's the only one around who actually works. "Daddy," Beth says. "Lot of them property assessors been disappearin around the site of the proposed airport." She pours herself an absurdly large glass of whisky. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would ya?"
John Dutton's eyes bulge like his guts were suddenly hit with the initial pangs of explosive diarrhea. Sure, it could be all the over-seasoned meat he eats, but it's not. He immediately knows the root cause.
The bear.
John excuses himself from the table, saddles a horse, and heads off into the wilderness to find the grizzly. Day turns into night, and gentle streams give way to stony mountains. John passes elk, deer, and even a wolf--but no bear.
Suddenly, the weather turns on John. His horse bucks, and he finds himself tumbling down the side of a hill. Dazed, John tries to get his bearings and finds himself outside of a large cave. He scrambles inside to shield himself from the rain, only to hear a low bubbling growl.
It's not diarrhea. It's the bear.
John tries to reason with the animal. "Hold on now, hold on," he says. He holds his hands out in front of him like he's calming a spooked horse, or talking Jamie down from something mean Beth said to him. "Now I know about you and the New Yorkers, I just want to talk."
The bear cocks his head and disappears.
John squints into the darkness of the cave, practically begging his eyes to adjust. He glances back toward the entrance before shaking his head and traveling deeper inside.
Before long, he comes to a round-topped oak table set for two. An oil lamp flickers above a lacey tablecloth. John unties a blue bandana from around his neck and wipes his face. He sits down and wonders why he came all this way instead of sending Rip. Rip would have a chance, and if he died, who cares? He's not a real Dutton anyway.
Footsteps command his attention. Two glasses hit the table, and the bear looms above him with a bottle of brown liquor. The bear pours two finger's worth in the glass in front of John and two for himself.
John cautiously sniffs his glass before tipping the brown liquid back. Instead of stinging, it slips down nice and quick, leaving a pleasant vanilla taste in its wake. It's whisky and some of the smoothest he's ever sampled. This bear knows his single-malt liquors.
The bear huffs a growl as he swirls the brown liquid in the glass between brief sips.
"You responsible for the missing New Yorkers?" John asks.
The bear says nothing, but if John didn't know any better, he'd think the bear was smiling at him.
"I'm glad you've had a chance to meet my friend," says Thomas Rainwater.
John Dutton's oldest frenemy emerges from the shadows in an elaborately embroidered blazer.
"I figured you might have had a hand in this," says John. He stares blankly ahead, hoping to hide his surprise.
Thomas Rainwater grins. The bear offers him the bottle of whisky. "None for me, thanks," Thomas says. "I'm driving."
The bear shrugs and sets the bottle down on the table next to the flickering lamp.
"Seems we all have a common enemy," Thomas says.
"Seems we do," says John. "What do you suppose we do about it? It's not like our friend here can eat all of them.
The bear roars like Chewbacca on a death star run.
"Can't he?" Thomas says.
"You mean to tell me he's going to eat every one of the men those investors send out here?" John asks.
"And women," says Thomas. "Don't be sexist, John. But there will be a price to pay, of course."
"A price," John says under his breath, "it figures." He plays with his empty glass. "OK, name it."
"Parcel 492, you know it?" Thomas asks.
"No," John says. "Don't think I do."
"Well, you own it."
"So."
"So? That's where we are right now. Beth bought his cave."
"I see," John says. "And he wants it back? Fine by me, you have yourself a deal."
Thomas and the bear exchange glances and share a grin. "Not so fast," Thomas says. "There's one more thing."
"Of course there is," John says. "Name it."
"He's going to want your backing for Governer of Montana."
"Always something, Thomas. It's always something. You think I can get a bear into the governor's mansion? There's no way, and especially not after he's eaten all those people."
"Hold on there John," Thomas says. "I didn't ask you to get him elected, we just want your endorsement, and as eating the New Yorkers, we're running on that as our platform."
"So, if I back your candidate for governor, they don't build the airport," John confirms.
"That's right," Thomas says. "And you get to keep the ranch the way it is."
"Alright," John says. He tips his empty glass toward the gubernatorial candidate, "Pour me another one."
The bear goes on to eat all of the New Yorkers who step foot in Montana. The Yellowstone Ranch is saved, and he goes on to win the governor's seat.
Later...
The camera pans into the Dutton's dining room. The table is surrounded by the entire family, along with Thomas Rainwater and Governor Bear.
"To Governor Bear," John raises his glass. "I'd say the Duttons owe you one, but now you are a Dutton."
Jamie looks confused.
"He's married your baby mama, Jamie," Beth says. "Your son is now his. This bear is as much a Dutton as you are." She downs her drink. "Hell, moreso."
Jamie runs from the room crying, and Beth starts making out with Rip. Everyone laughs, and the bear roars. It's the dawn of a new era on The Yellowstone Ranch.