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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Season 5, episode 6 of Yellowstone is built around a rare pause. The Duttons and the ranch crew spend a day branding cattle, Rip takes Beth to a secluded meadow, and Emmett Walsh dies peacefully after a day outdoors with the cowboys. The political plot moves in the same hour: the president makes a surprise visit to Montana, and Sarah lays out a plan to put Jamie in the governor’s office.
Episode details
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Title | “Cigarettes, Whiskey, a Meadow and You” | Paramount+ Canada listing |
| Season and episode | Season 5, episode 6 (S5 E6) | Paramount+ Canada listing |
| Featured cast | Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser | Paramount+ Canada listing |
| Streaming on Paramount+ | Listed in Canada | Paramount+ Canada listing |
| Purchase on Prime Video | Season 5 listed for purchase; the episode is not separately confirmed in the sources | Prime Video listing |
| Peacock | Episode appears in the season guide | Peacock season guide |
Service availability varies by country and changes over time, so check your region before watching.
The branding trip and the crew’s rare calm
The episode opens with the crew heading out to gather and brand cattle. Hulu’s episode guide describes the roundup as going smoothly and says Beth enjoys the day despite her usual sharpness. Paramount’s official promotional description puts it simply: “The Duttons have an almost-perfect day branding cattle.” For a show that usually runs on conflict, the episode’s first half is notable for how little goes wrong.
Rip’s meadow and what it means for Beth
Rip takes Beth to a secluded meadow he had shown interest in before. Hulu frames the spot as a new space, free of the couple’s old painful memories. That reading is Hulu’s interpretation rather than a line of dialogue, but it explains why the scene matters: it is less a romantic set piece than a gesture meant to give Beth somewhere to be without the history attached to the rest of the ranch. TVLine’s coverage also highlights the meadow reveal, and Paramount Network’s behind-the-scenes material singles out the meadow scene for discussion with director Stephen Kay and the cast.
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#1 Best Overall
Emmett Walsh’s death and John’s public image
Emmett Walsh, an older rancher and John’s friend, dies peacefully in his sleep outdoors after the day with the cowboys. John goes to Emmett’s wife and comforts her. Hulu’s recap notes that local news captures the exchange, and that the footage helps John’s image as governor.
The episode sets the two halves against each other. The outing is the calmest stretch of the season so far, and Emmett’s death arrives inside it. John’s private grief is then shaped by his public role, so a moment of loss becomes something that also serves his political standing.
The president’s visit and Rainwater’s predicament
The political plot opens on the president’s arrival in Montana. Paramount’s official synopsis says Montana receives an unexpected visitor from outside. The visit is connected to Broken Rock. Hulu adds that the arrival alarms Rainwater and that the president’s purpose is to endorse Rainwater’s challenger. The episode leaves Rainwater’s position as Broken Rock chairman under pressure, which Paramount Network’s behind-the-scenes material also highlights.
Sarah’s plan for Jamie
Paramount’s short synopsis says “Sarah continues to sink her teeth into Jamie.” Hulu’s guide gives the detail behind that line. Sarah lays out a plan: put Jamie in the governor’s office, restore Market Equities’ airport lease, and reverse John’s policies. Jamie agrees to the proposal but is unsettled by Sarah’s wish to remove John sooner. The episode ends with the plan on the table and Jamie’s hesitation as the open question, which makes John’s governorship look more exposed than it did at the start of the hour.
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Rank #3
- Genre: TV Drama
- Number of Discs: 4
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 467
- Rating: NR
Behind the story
Paramount Network’s Yellowstone Universe page lists a “Behind the Story” item for this episode. In it, director Stephen Kay and the cast discuss Rainwater’s challenges as Broken Rock chairman, Rip and Beth’s meadow scene, and the conversation between Summer and Monica. Those three threads are a good guide to where the episode puts its weight: the quiet scenes carry as much emotional content as the political ones.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch
Paramount+ lists the episode for streaming in Canada, Prime Video lists season 5 for purchase, and Peacock includes the episode in its season guide. Access depends on your country, and listings can change, so confirm availability on the service before you start.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Yellowstone (2018–2024) : The complete Series (53 Episodes / 5 Seasons) - [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IxJENf3UL._SL160_.jpg)
- Region 1 NTSC
- Widescreen
- 1080p HD
- Dolby Digital
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