Sarah Atwood’s second-to-last phone call in Yellowstone was to a disconnected number, but it might reveal everything about the dramatic twists and turns awaiting us in the rest of this thrilling season, as secrets unravel and tensions rise.
Until this point, we knew who ordered the hit on Governor John Dutton and who accepted the order. We didn’t know who pulled the trigger until Sunday (Nov. 24), but you had to squint closely to catch it. Yep, this article contains massive spoilers, so if you’re not caught up, be warned.
The revelation of the hit’s executioners adds a chilling layer to the unfolding mystery. As the season progresses, the Dutton family’s battle to protect their legacy intensifies, with betrayals and hidden agendas lurking around every corner.
Like the previous week, Ep. 11 built slowly and deliberately. Emotional flashback scenes showed Rip and Beth grappling with the growing distance between them, while Kayce and his family expressed heartfelt gratitude for their new home, setting the stage for several procedural conversations about how the new governor (Steven Rawlings, played by actor Gareth Williams) would strategically work to seize the ranch through eminent domain laws.
Details of John Dutton’s death interrupted this careful table setting. We learn three critical things: A trio of men executed the hit, they secretly snuck oxycontin into his medicine cabinet (and likely his bloodstream), and they used his own hand to hold the gun that fired the fatal shot that killed him.
Later, while Kayce Dutton is forcefully strong-arming the medical examiner to reexamine the body, we recognize the significance of those details. It’d take three men, Dutton explains, to subdue a sleeping man if they followed the precise technique he was taught as a Navy SEAL. One would secure the legs, one would restrain the arms, and the third would execute the choke to make the person pass out.
That’s precisely what Dutton’s attackers did, executing the hit with calculated precision. Their methodical approach mirrors the disciplined tactics of highly trained operatives, hinting at a deeper conspiracy.
Now, shift focus to Sarah Atwood’s final moments. She makes two critical phone calls before a hitman ends her life. The first is from a newly purchased burner phone, dialing area code 713, linked to Houston, Texas.
For Sarah, it’s a dead end—the disconnected number heightens her unease, and she visibly begins to unravel emotionally. The second call follows her heated argument with Jamie. He calls her, offering a genuine apology, and she sharply urges him to muster some self-confidence.
Yellowstone Episode 10 Analysis: Cade McPherson and Houston Connection
Key Observations
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Military-Style Attack: The hit on Governor John Dutton was executed with precision, suggesting trained operatives.
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Houston Area Code: Sarah Atwood’s burner phone call to a disconnected 713 number raises suspicions, especially given Cade McPherson’s mention of a Houston-based company in Ep. 10.
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Cade’s Role: Cade, a former Navy SEAL, dismisses the Houston group but never follows up with Kayce. His recent covert mission and vague claim of being “out of the country” feel evasive.
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The App: Cade’s insistence that Kayce download an app is questionable. Its purpose remains unclear—possibly a tracking or communication tool?
Implications
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Sarah’s Death: With Sarah Atwood out, Market Equities may pause their airport plans, shifting focus to a Beth vs. Jamie showdown.
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New Players: The Houston connection and Cade’s behavior hint at potential new provocateurs entering the conflict.
Questions to Explore
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Was Cade’s Houston mention deliberate misdirection?
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What is the true function of the app Cade provided?
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Will Beth and Jamie’s rivalry dominate, or will external forces intervene?
Trailer Yellowstone