Ep 5. My Best Friend
- June 16, 2017
After a hiatus from the airwaves, The Ranch, starring Ashton Kutcher, returns with its third season. The popular sitcom, streaming on Netflix, follows the ups and downs of a dysfunctional Colorado family that owns and operates a ranch. Now, in episode 5, titled "My Best Friend", the show delves deeper into Colt's personal life.
The episode begins with Colt and Abby pulling into their driveway after a long day at work, when they find some unwelcome news waiting for them in the form of Rooster's ex-girlfriend, Mary. As they soon learn, Mary has come to town to warn Colt about Rooster's bad behavior and how it could have a negative impact on their business. Feeling conflicted, Colt must decide whether to take Mary's warnings seriously and confront his brother.
Complicating matters even further is the fact that Colt's friends are visiting from out of town, and they have a special surprise for him. With tensions high, Colt finds it hard to enjoy the company of his friends, especially when he knows what he has to do. However, his family and friends' unquestionable loyalty to him keeps him from having the discussion he knows he needs to have.
As the episode progresses, viewers witness a touching moment between two characters in the show - Abby and her friend, Jenna. Their friendship has been strained since Jenna slept with Colt's cousin Trevor, but in this episode, they finally have a chance to reconnect and discuss their differences. While it may not seem to be a critical part of the episode, the conversation between Abby and Jenna helps to show a softer side of the characters and builds up to some big moments.
Meanwhile, Rooster, who has been keeping a low profile since his ex-girlfriend's visit, surprises Colt by showing up to work on the ranch. To appease Colt, Rooster offers to fix the broken fence on their property, which gives the brothers time to discuss their issues. The conversation they have is heavy and confrontational, but necessary. Rooster tries to defend himself and his actions but eventually admits his guilt.
As the tension between the brothers builds, the episode's humor continues to land, with some particularly funny moments from the supportive cast. One of the most hilarious scenes involves Beau, played by Sam Elliot, and his girlfriend, who try their hands at roller-skating. Old-fashioned Beau has a hilarious hard time adapting to the experience, leading some of the episode's funniest moments.
Throughout the proceedings, one thing remains clear: the audience is watching the show's deep-rooted family dynamic at work. With the family's history and shared memories, this is an episode that is more about character exploration than anything else. The episode uses both drama and comedy to reveal just how important family and friends can be, and how, in the end, they always come through.
In summary, The Ranch season 3 episode 5, "My Best Friend," continues the tradition of the show – offering laughs and moments of genuine pathos that keep viewers returning for more. The episode showcases some touching moments between the characters, while also tackling some difficult issues that the family must confront. Overall, the episode is a must-watch for fans of the show, and again proves that The Ranch is one of Netflix's best original comedies.
