Yellowstone capped off its third season with a string of potentially deadly attacks against the various Dutton family members, with Kelly Reilly's fan-favorite Beth seemingly caught up in the most dangerous situation, with her former office having been bombed via an anonymous package. While there is obviously legitimate concern for Beth's safety, some fans believe creator Taylor Sheridan wouldn't kill off such a major character at this point in Yellowstone's run. But even if Beth is indeed alive when Season 4 kicks off, that doesn't necessarily mean her courtship with Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler is destined to remain intact.
Previously, Yellowstone star Cole Hauser expressed his optimism that Rip and Beth's relationship will continue thriving – perhaps indicating that Kelly Reilly's character did indeed make it out of that assassination attempt – and said he subscribes to the idea that the two will remain together in the end. Reilly, on the other hand, sounds ever so slightly less positive about Rip and Beth's engagement going forward, at least in the nearest future. Here's how she put it to Esquire when asked if the characters may enjoy a happy ending together:
At the beginning of Season 3, there is a sort of quiet, healing vibe going on. Beth and Rip are living in the new house that they've been given, that John Dutton gave to Rip. Beth has moved in and there's a little bit of domestic quiet, gentleness that's sort of creeping in which we've never seen Beth inhabit. I found those scenes really interesting to play. Whether it lasts or not, it wouldn't be a drama if it was constant.
To Kelly Reilly's point, Beth and Rip's relationship was not only unofficial throughout most of the first three seasons, but it was also pretty contentious a lot of the time, especially when Beth filled herself up with liquor. Of course, their occasional squabbles just made the eventual make-ups and their off-kilter engagement all the more rewarding to witness, and it became more clear over time that Rip cares about Beth more than anyone in the world other than her father. But it appears that fans haven't seen the last of this couple's dysfunctional foundation, if Reilly's thoughts are to be believed.
Considering Yellowstone wrapped up filming on Season 4 in November, having flipped locations from Utah to Montana, Kelly Reilly definitely already knows how the aftermath will play out from Season 3's explosive cliffhanger. So perhaps we can read even deeper into what she's saying about Beth and Rip's future. Here's what else she had to say:
I don't think that we're at the happy ending stage yet, but I think there's a glimmer of happiness and where that happiness and where that peace could live, you know what I mean?
Kelly Reilly's use of the word "yet" is as much of a safety net as anyone can hope for at this point, since Beth's death-by-explosion would certainly put a depressing exclamation point at the end of her time with Rip. "Yet" means there's still a future to be had, so that's what we'll be holding onto. Even if Beth suffered serious injuries due to the attempt on her life, at least she knows there's a spot in both Rip's heart and Rip's home where she can heal up, presumably while he's out for blood looking for whoever sent the explosive. Because you KNOW Rip is going to destroy that person limb by limb, and will then paste his or her body parts back together just to tear them up all over again. That character definitely won't have a happy ending, now or ever.
Yellowstone Season 4 will likely make its highly anticipated debut on Paramount Network at some point this summer, though it can't get here fast enough. While waiting for more updates, head to our Winter and Spring 2021 TV premiere schedule to see what new and returning shows are heading to the small screen soon.
