Ep 2. New Beginnings

As the second season of Yellowstone continues, episode 2 titled "New Beginnings" sets the stage for some important developments in the ongoing saga of the Dutton family and their sprawling Montana ranch. The episode picks up where the premiere left off, with patriarch John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner) in the hospital after being shot in the chest. As he recovers, he is visited by his estranged son Jamie (Wes Bentley), who is seeking to make amends after betraying the family in the previous season.

Meanwhile, John's other children - troubled cowboy Kayce (Luke Grimes) and ambitious businesswoman Beth (Kelly Reilly) - are each dealing with their own challenges. Kayce is struggling to keep his marriage to Native American woman Monica (Kelsey Asbille) together, while Beth is facing pressure from her father to deliver results for their newly acquired casino business. Both storylines take surprising turns in this episode, as Kayce's father-in-law Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and Beth's right-hand man Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) play key roles in their respective dilemmas.

In addition to the internal family drama, the episode also introduces a new character who could shake things up at the Yellowstone ranch. Market equities expert Roarke Morris (Josh Holloway) arrives in Montana to discuss a potential investment in the Duttons' land, but his smooth-talking charm and corporate attitude rub several characters the wrong way. John, in particular, is wary of Roarke's intentions and the two engage in some tense exchanges over the course of the hour.

As always with Yellowstone, the show's stunning cinematography and natural beauty are on full display in "New Beginnings." The sweeping shots of Montana's mountains and forests help to ground the story in a sense of place, while also providing a vivid contrast to the human drama unfolding onscreen. The show's writers and directors are also adept at balancing the slow-burn tension of the Duttons' personal lives with the more action-packed moments that erupt from time to time. In this episode, there are a few standout scenes that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, "New Beginnings" is a solid entry in the second season of Yellowstone, providing plenty of intrigue and character development without revealing too much about the larger plot. It sets up some interesting conflicts and dynamics that will likely play out over the course of the season, while also incorporating some satisfying payoffs to ongoing storylines. Fans of the show will definitely want to catch this episode and see how things unfold for the Dutton family and their associates.