I Want to Be Him

There's a lot of comments about peoples' boredom this season but I see a beautiful story arch from season 1 to 4. The drama was mounting to such a chaotic level, c'mon episode 1, that it is nice to see this season focus on the cowboy stories that make Yellowstone and Westerns so captivating.

Apparently the show's movers and shakers have had their focus on 1883 and Mayor of Kingstown rather than on Yellowstone. NOTHING IS HAPPENING THIS SEASON! Most of this episode was filler. The only thing of substance was Jamie Dutton 'confronting' his biological father, which went nowhere fast, by the way. The rest of the episode was Jimmy riding and eating; moving in and watching Tate and the dog play; the fights, including the one in the kitchen; the firings; bed scenes. Entertainment quality has been well below what I've come to expect in previous seasons. This episode was boring and barely worth watching. As another reviewer said, "I'm waiting for the season to begin."

"I Want to Be Him," the sixth episode of Yellowstone's fourth season, directed by Christina Alexandra Voros, is an emotionally charged and thematically rich episode that explores loyalty, identity, and familial conflict amid the broader struggle to protect the Yellowstone ranch. With a mix of intimate character moments and high-tension confrontations, the episode advances key storylines while delving into the personal costs of survival in the unforgiving world that surrounds the Dutton family.

The episode opens with a sharp familial clash as Beth fiercely confronts John's houseguest, Summer Higgins, an eco-activist whose presence immediately sparks tension. The charged breakfast scene, layered with biting dialogue and powerful performances from Kelly Reilly and Piper Perabo, encapsulates the season's ongoing conflict between tradition and change, progress and preservation. Beth's icy, cutting barbs reveal her unyielding protectiveness of the ranch and her resistance to outsiders, setting the tone for an episode filled with personal and ideological battles.

Jimmy's journey on the 6666 ranch in Texas offers a hopeful subplot, with his determination to become a real cowboy after recovering from his injury. Jefferson White's portrayal adds warmth and resilience, highlighting themes of redemption and growth. His farewell to Maya back at the Yellowstone ranch is bittersweet, signaling a painful letting go and underscoring the sacrifices demanded by the family legacy.

One of the episode's most intense sequences is the brutal physical altercation between ranch hands Lloyd and Walker. This fight, precipitated by long-standing tensions and personal grievances, culminates in a violent showdown promoted by John and Rip as a harsh but necessary enforcement of ranch order. Rip's subsequent brutal punishment of Lloyd-breaking his hand-reveals the harsh realities of loyalty and discipline within this insular community. The emotional toll of this act on Rip himself is poignantly portrayed, providing depth and complexity to the relationships among the ranch hands.

Jamie's confrontation with his biological father, Garrett Randall, is another pivotal moment. Wes Bentley delivers a nuanced performance as Jamie wrestles with his conflicted feelings toward Garrett, whose manipulations and dark past continue to cast shadows over Jamie's identity and future. This confrontation adds layers of psychological tension and foreshadows further familial and political turmoil.

Beth's relationship with Rip and her burgeoning bond with Carter, a foster child, provide moments of tenderness amid the episode's intensity. These scenes illustrate Beth's softer, more vulnerable side, contrasting with her usual fierce exterior and strategic acumen. Kelly Reilly's performance in these quieter moments enriches the character and adds emotional resonance.

Visually, Christina Alexandra Voros blends Montana's striking landscapes with intimate interior shots to create a mood that oscillates between the vast isolation of the wilderness and the claustrophobic intensity of family drama. The cinematography captures the raw, rugged beauty of the ranch life, while the editing maintains a steady rhythm that supports the narrative's emotional undulations.

Thematically, "I Want to Be Him" examines the complex interplay of power, loyalty, and identity. The episode's title reflects the characters' struggles with legacy and self-definition, capturing the tensions between inherited roles and personal desires. The episode also deeply probes themes of justice and morality, particularly through the violent bastion of the bunkhouse and the contested nature of authority within the ranch.

Culturally, the episode remains grounded in Indigenous and rural American realities, with subtle nods to ongoing socio-political struggles around land, rights, and survival. These elements consistently enhance Yellowstone's relevance and depth as a neo-Western.

Despite moments of drawn-out plotting and internal conflict, the episode's emotional depth and strong performances provide a compelling and immersive experience. The character-driven narrative rewards close attention, providing key developments and emotional stakes for the season's progression.

"I Want to Be Him" stands as a finely balanced episode that merges intense personal drama with the broader thematic concerns of Yellowstone. Christina Alexandra Voros's assured direction, coupled with powerful performances and layered writing, crafts an episode that challenges viewers to reflect on the demands of loyalty, the pain of identity, and the harsh realities governing the fight for survival and legacy on the Yellowstone ranch.

... it seems like each episode of this season gets more stupid than the last ... how is any of this worthwhile for any reason ... right now there's maybe one character that's worth watching ... any one of all the rest could be written out of the script and wouldn't matter a bit.

Every series has its occasional 'slow' episode. This one is definitely it. Nothing much going on, Jimmy doing his Texas thing, Monica and Kayce slowly heading into a new direction, Jaimy and Beth still not liking each other. But, without spoiling it, this is a very important episode. It has one scene that will last the series for some time, I reckon. Of course everybody wants to get closure about the killings. But that's not the 'Montana kind of pace'. This is also a series about nature, the spirituality of the place and the need for people to keep it in tact. That is a slow proces, so we have to endure that slow pace. Viewers impatience is not to be blamed on the writers in this one. Just sit back, relax and savour the spectacular plotpoint.