In Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 12, titled “Counting Coup,” the show takes a disappointing turn, leaving many fans frustrated with how the episode unfolds. Despite the previous episode’s hints of a possible shift in direction, this installment fails to live up to expectations, offering a lackluster story with minimal plot advancement and an unnecessary death that doesn’t serve the larger narrative.

The episode picks up with the aftermath of Sarah’s shocking death in Episode 11. Jamie Dutton is questioned by authorities about Sarah’s murder, and his agitated, defensive behavior only raises more suspicions. His refusal to allow detectives to search Sarah’s belongings adds him to their list of suspects, although they initially don’t consider him a prime one. This adds a bit of tension to the episode, but it doesn’t do much to propel the story forward, leaving fans wanting more development. Meanwhile, Rip Wheeler spends much of the episode trying to sell off as many cattle as possible to raise money for the financially struggling Dutton ranch. But the real emotional weight of the episode comes from an unexpected tragedy.

In a deeply disappointing twist, Colby—one of the series’ most beloved characters—meets a senseless and unnecessary death. While trying to help Carter, who is trapped by an aggressive horse, Colby heroically intervenes, diverting the horse’s attention and allowing Carter to escape. Unfortunately, the horse turns on Colby, fatally stomping on him. Carter shoots the horse in a desperate attempt to save him, but it’s too late. Colby dies, and the entire scene feels like a forced plot device rather than an organic moment in the story.

Though Colby’s death is tragic, it carries little emotional weight. The loss of such a key character should have shaken the audience, but instead, it feels hollow. Tia, Colby’s girlfriend, is understandably devastated, and Ryan, Colby’s close friend, is also deeply affected. However, the emotional impact is dampened because, in Yellowstone Season 5, deaths have become somewhat of a revolving door. After the dramatic and impactful deaths of John Dutton (in Episode 2) and Sarah (at the end of Episode 11), Colby’s passing just feels like another casualty in a series that is already rife with them. The frequency of these deaths, especially in the second half of Season 5, lessens their dramatic impact. Colby’s death doesn’t advance the plot in any meaningful way, and it doesn’t seem to alter the trajectory of the Dutton family’s story. While Tia will no doubt be affected by the loss, the overall arc of the show remains largely unaffected by Colby’s demise.

This sense of wasted time extends to the rest of the episode. With just two episodes left in Yellowstone’s run, the show is running out of time to tie up character arcs and resolve major plotlines. Unfortunately, Episode 12 squanders these precious moments. Despite being two of the most pivotal characters in the show’s final chapters, Beth and Jamie are hardly featured in the episode. Their longstanding conflict, which had been so central to the drama earlier in the season, is resolved off-screen following Sarah’s death, leaving viewers with a sense of anticlimax. Their feud, which seemed poised for a major reckoning, fizzles out with little fanfare, making their presence in the episode feel almost irrelevant.

If there’s any silver lining to “Counting Coup,” it’s the further exploration of Case and his quest for justice. Episode 11 revealed that Case had reopened his father’s case, and in Episode 12, he embarks on a mission to track down Grant, the hitman Sarah hired to kill John Dutton. Case’s pursuit of Grant is tense and gripping, especially when he confronts the hitman and his young daughter. In a chilling moment, Case threatens Grant and makes it clear that he’s not someone to mess with. This scene showcases a darker, more dangerous side of Case, and his evolution throughout Season 5 has been one of the more compelling aspects of the show. His actions in this episode set the stage for what’s to come in the final episodes, leaving fans eager to see what he will do next.

However, while Case’s storyline continues to build tension, the overall plot surrounding John Dutton’s death remains stagnant in Episode 12. Aside from traumatizing Grant and his daughter, Case doesn’t make any significant progress in the larger investigation into John’s death. This lack of movement in such a crucial storyline leaves the episode feeling like filler—an unnecessary pause in the build-up to the series finale.

In conclusion, Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 12 fails to live up to its potential. With Colby’s death feeling pointless, key character arcs unresolved, and the central plotlines stagnating, the episode is a disappointing chapter in the series. Fans were hoping for a thrilling build-up to the final episodes, but instead, the show feels like it’s treading water. With only two episodes remaining, Yellowstone needs to pick up the pace and deliver the explosive finale that its fans deserve.