Death on the Trail: 'Yellowstone' Season 5, Episode 6 Recap

The cowboys traveling across the Montana mountains had to deal with an unexpected death along the way in Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 6.

Beth came along for the ride too in "Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You," as she uttered the episode's title. As we've come to expect from Yellowstone, Episode 6 was filled with sweeping shots and extended sequences that showed off the state's beauty, though not everyone was impressed.

While most of the Duttons were dealing with nature, Jamie continued sleeping with the enemy, and came to a mutual understanding with Sarah.

If you missed it, or just need reminding, here's what happened in Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 6.

Duttons on the Trail

Nature was the real star of the episode here as John, Rip, Clara and the traveling cowboys are awestruck by the Montana landscape. Beth is less impressed with her surroundings, instead preferring more quaint views, like a meadow.

Back at the house, Summer (Piper Perabo) attempts to get to know John and the ranch more. Through conversations with Monica, she learns more about the family story, before also stumbling upon the Yellowstone graveyard. Here we see the graves of James and Margaret Dutton, the stars of 1883. The pair are mentioned, but won't appear in the upcoming 1923, as it appears James died in 1893.

Back with the cowboys, everyone takes time for themselves. John's old friend Emmett Walsh goes fishing with Tate, Clara is excited to be out in the wilderness, while Rip and Beth find a quiet spot for themselves.

Rip takes Beth to a spot he knows she'll find beautiful, a place he initially intended to marry her. Making the moment even more special for her, he hands her a hip flask, and a cigarette. She tells him how this would be the perfect place to move to, but Rip pokes logic holes in her plan. Agreeing to disagree, they make love in the meadow at sunset.

Later on that night, everyone settles in to sleep under the stars. John picks a spot next to Emmett where they talk before going to sleep. Complimenting John's outlook as governor, Emmett comments: "This world may have a chance yet," before he settles in for a sleep. It turns out to be the long sleep for him as he doesn't wake up in the morning.

"Well Emmett, I couldn't have dreamed up a better death if you paid me. You sure earned it old friend," John says to Emmett's body.

Presidential Visit

Mo's house starts shaking while he's having breakfast with his family. Military grade helicopters are flying into town, which he goes to investigate.

An unannounced "event" is taking place that requires a serious security detail. Cold-hearted members of law enforcement start shooting "stray" dogs because they're a security risk.

Mo eventually realises all of this is happening because the president of the United States is turning up for a visit. It turns out Angela Blue Thunder set this up as a ploy for the president to endorse Chief Rainwater's rival Martin. Prepared for the fight, Rainwater sits on stage as the president visits, although we don't see this happen onscreen.

Returning to Yellowstone

The cowboy trip comes to an end as they ride their cattle back to the ranch. John and Clara stayed behind to call in a helicopter to get Emmett's body. In a race against time, they gallop back to the ranch so that he can be the first one to arrive and tell Emmett's wife the news.

Arriving at his big banding event, John comforts Emmett's wife. A news camera captures the moment John consoles the widow, something which proves beneficial down the line.

The festivities get into full swing and love appears to be in the air for many. Ryan and Abby, played by the returning Lainey Wilson, get closer and seem to cement their relationship. Even Carter finds a new love interest as newcomer Halie, a 16-year-old girl approaches him. It's another formative moment for the young cowboy, as she offers to teach him how to dance.

Senator Lynelle Perry, a former flame of John's, is there to talk about politics and romance with him. After some flirting, they talk business as she encourages him to go and visit the president when he's in town. He refuses, even going as far as to call him an "idiot."

Sleeping With the Enemy

Earlier in the episode, we see Jamie and Sarah wake up in bed together. Understandably, he expresses his concerns about her intentions with him. She takes offense and the conversation gets tense, but she starts to once again suggest he should be governor, not his adopted father.

It doesn't take long to win him round, and Jamie soon appears to be all in on Sarah's plan to make him governor of Montana. They also make it clear they don't want to wait four years for the next election cycle to make that happen. "Help me win governor, and I'll give you your airport," he later tells her in the throes of passion.

Later that night, as they sit watching TV on the couch, John's touching moment consoling Emmett's wife is shown on the news. The newscasters mention his refusal to see the president, but offer him their support regardless.

Jamie admits he couldn't beat him in a fair fight, and Sarah suggests they shouldn't let John turn up to the fight.

Episode 7 of Season 5 of Yellowstone airs on the Paramount Network on Sunday, December 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.