This episode is not highly regarded by most people but it's the one that convinced me to stick with the series. John Dutton goes on a trip with his grand kid and under his supervision the kid almost dies. Some people say this is just tacked on drama but it goes with theme of the episode that John is worrying about his age and how he may not as capable as he once was nor qualified to take on certain responsibilities. Also. the criminal organization of the Dutton's was presented more. This show isn't just about boring Montana politicking, this is organized crime and follows how they are recruited, groomed and end up. Last thing i liked was how soothing this show is. John's cup of morning coffee as he looked out at the ranch and cowboys is powerful in its grandeur. I may not like these guys but what they have is worth the fight they are giving to keep it.
8 Reviews
Train, train, take me on out of this town
jeffstonewords13 October 2023
"The Long Black Train" (Yellowstone Season 1, Episode 4) is an apropos title for an episode fraught with raw power, merciless violence, and poignant allusion. We learn that "the train station" is a Dutton euphemism for tracks that hasten that long black train.
We also learn that the Duttons are even more cruel and yet more vulnerable than previously portrayed. Patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) openly acknowledges his own personal vulnerability, chiefly his inevitable decline, in a tender moment with his grandson Tate (Brecken Merrill) after rescuing the young boy from a raging river.
Constantly walking a high wire with an apparent disdain for consequences, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) seems intent on destruction. Whether she will first destroy herself with her lifestyle or bury all her enemies via psychological warfare might look like an even bet, but everything she does appears to be carefully calculated, especially after this episode, given the ruthlessness with which she humiliates her opponents.
This ruthlessness is displayed crudely and clearly in a bar scene with misplaced companion Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston). Based not only on his suit jacket but also on his mannerisms, Jenkins sticks out like a branded steer in this particular bar-where at least one fight is already ongoing when Dutton and Jenkins enter. Beth Dutton outwardly loathes the "prick" Jenkins, but he's apparently decided her constant demeaning is worth tolerating because the prospect of wild sex seems high. Pointing out his need for Viagra before they even leave for the bar isn't enough for her. She also draws him into two physical confrontations, both of which end badly for him.
Back on the ranch, perpetual misfit Jimmy (Jefferson White) loses a fistfight of his own and when he refuses to quit, Rip (Cole Hauser) steps up to give the assailant an even worse beating. Jimmy is a slow project as a cowboy but is also a branded man, tantamount to "family." Fred the assailant (Luke Peckinpah) isn't, which Rip explains to Jimmy afterwards, and so Fred must "go" because nobody is allowed to touch a branded man. "Loudmouth" Fred will be replaced by another branded man, someone picked from prison-presumably someone as vulnerable and malleable as Jimmy.
The Long Black Train features some compelling drama on its own and yet raises even more questions for upcoming episodes. Much is at stake not only for the ranch but also for the family. To what ends will they and their bitter counterparts go?
Also, after an appearance by Whiskey Myers and music by Uncle Lucius, who will we hear next? The featured music of previous episodes (e.g., Chris Stapleton, The Trishas, Whitney Morgan, Ryan Bingham...) has been grand without being too conspicuous and some of the lyrics have dovetailed eloquently.
We also learn that the Duttons are even more cruel and yet more vulnerable than previously portrayed. Patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) openly acknowledges his own personal vulnerability, chiefly his inevitable decline, in a tender moment with his grandson Tate (Brecken Merrill) after rescuing the young boy from a raging river.
Constantly walking a high wire with an apparent disdain for consequences, Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) seems intent on destruction. Whether she will first destroy herself with her lifestyle or bury all her enemies via psychological warfare might look like an even bet, but everything she does appears to be carefully calculated, especially after this episode, given the ruthlessness with which she humiliates her opponents.
This ruthlessness is displayed crudely and clearly in a bar scene with misplaced companion Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston). Based not only on his suit jacket but also on his mannerisms, Jenkins sticks out like a branded steer in this particular bar-where at least one fight is already ongoing when Dutton and Jenkins enter. Beth Dutton outwardly loathes the "prick" Jenkins, but he's apparently decided her constant demeaning is worth tolerating because the prospect of wild sex seems high. Pointing out his need for Viagra before they even leave for the bar isn't enough for her. She also draws him into two physical confrontations, both of which end badly for him.
Back on the ranch, perpetual misfit Jimmy (Jefferson White) loses a fistfight of his own and when he refuses to quit, Rip (Cole Hauser) steps up to give the assailant an even worse beating. Jimmy is a slow project as a cowboy but is also a branded man, tantamount to "family." Fred the assailant (Luke Peckinpah) isn't, which Rip explains to Jimmy afterwards, and so Fred must "go" because nobody is allowed to touch a branded man. "Loudmouth" Fred will be replaced by another branded man, someone picked from prison-presumably someone as vulnerable and malleable as Jimmy.
The Long Black Train features some compelling drama on its own and yet raises even more questions for upcoming episodes. Much is at stake not only for the ranch but also for the family. To what ends will they and their bitter counterparts go?
Also, after an appearance by Whiskey Myers and music by Uncle Lucius, who will we hear next? The featured music of previous episodes (e.g., Chris Stapleton, The Trishas, Whitney Morgan, Ryan Bingham...) has been grand without being too conspicuous and some of the lyrics have dovetailed eloquently.
Music
mohawkr18 January 2022
Who are the musicians in the bar? I'm just starting to watch Yellowstone, season one, episode four. Great music!
The show has a huge following.
Beth Dutton goes to the bar.
I don't want to make 150 care of to review, but I am on able to leave with us until it has 150 characters.
The show has a huge following.
Beth Dutton goes to the bar.
I don't want to make 150 care of to review, but I am on able to leave with us until it has 150 characters.
Episode slump in otherwise excellent series
ConsDemo22 July 2018
Besides good acting, another thing I like about this series is it seemed pretty credible. I could imagine many of these events happening in real life. However, the bar scene in this episode really strained credulity, just the way the speed and ease that conflicts occur.
The Long Black Train
bobcobb3014 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Not a terrible episode, but the Beth character is incredibly boring. I just cannot get behind anything she does. Partnering her, friend or foe, with Dan is not exactly going to work either.
Too much random fighting on this show. Violence on TV can be what a show needs, but it can't be without rhyme or reason.
Too much random fighting on this show. Violence on TV can be what a show needs, but it can't be without rhyme or reason.
The Long Black Train
Prismark1011 May 2022
Somewhere underneath the soap suds and lazy caricatures.
There seems to be a crime noir which is more interesting than Beth Dutton thinking she can go to a bar and give everybody else secondary cancer or John Dutton putting his grandson's life at risk through carelessness.
An earlier episode saw Jimmy Hurdstrom getting branded. This episode makes clear that branded men in Dutton's ranch are the equivalent of a made man in mafia organisations.
John Dutton is not some veteran gruff cattleman and cowboy. He seems to be the head of a murky criminal empire that engages in murder.
It is this aspects that could be better explored in later episodes.
There seems to be a crime noir which is more interesting than Beth Dutton thinking she can go to a bar and give everybody else secondary cancer or John Dutton putting his grandson's life at risk through carelessness.
An earlier episode saw Jimmy Hurdstrom getting branded. This episode makes clear that branded men in Dutton's ranch are the equivalent of a made man in mafia organisations.
John Dutton is not some veteran gruff cattleman and cowboy. He seems to be the head of a murky criminal empire that engages in murder.
It is this aspects that could be better explored in later episodes.
Riiight
nemesis-8818 October 2020
Good news for apologists of this garbage of a show...
dalemuchow15 February 2021
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