Why did Rip kill Rowdy?
The cowboy, a classic embodiment of American ideals and values, has been a staple in Western culture for generations. From the iconic imagery of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, to the transformative character of Kevin Costner in "Yellowstone," the cowboy is a symbol of strength, independence, and uncompromising morals. But there is another breed, a mutation of the archetype that straddles the line between hero and villain – the cowboy antihero. In the heart of "Yellowstone," we find such a figure in Rip Wheeler, whose journey in the latest season unearths intriguing insights into this complex persona.
In "Yellowstone" Season 5, Episode 8, a key event shapes Rip's trajectory – the killing of Rowdy, the disrespectful cowboy. This is not just a mere occurrence, but a transformational moment that becomes a compelling study in contrasts, bringing to light the juxtapositions of loyalty, justice, and the code of the cowboy antihero.
The code of the cowboy has always carried a dualistic nature. On one side, it is about honor, duty, and defending the weak. On the other, it's about dispensing swift justice, even if it requires crossing the boundaries of the law. These two sides are evident in characters across the genre, from Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name" to Sam Peckinpah's "Wild Bunch."
In the pivotal event where young Rip Wheeler steps up to defend Beth Dutton by killing Rowdy, we see an uncanny echo of these earlier cowboy antiheroes. By exacting this form of justice, Rip treads the path of the cowboy antihero – defending the weak (Beth), while simultaneously stepping beyond societal norms (killing Rowdy). But in the Dutton universe, this act aligns with a unique "moral" code, justifying the transgression and rewarding loyalty over the law.
The repercussions of this act, while grave, are not met with punishment, but reward. Young Rip is given the ranch's "Y" brand, not just a mere mark of employment but a symbol of inclusion, belonging, and commitment to the Dutton family. This act is strikingly reminiscent of the tribal rites of passage seen in various cultures around the world. From the Maasai warrior's lion hunt to the vision quests of Native Americans, rites of passage often involve a daring act or a test of courage to symbolize the transition to manhood. In a twisted, contemporary "Wild West" version of this cultural practice, Rip's violent act is his rite of passage into the Dutton "tribe."
Now, examining the cultural context of the modern Western, we find a fascinating juxtaposition with traditional crime families – think "The Godfather," "Sopranos," or "Peaky Blinders." The Duttons, though ranchers, exhibit an eerily similar familial loyalty, where justice is meted internally, and loyalty is prized above all. Rip's assimilation into the Dutton family through his violent act is not far removed from Michael Corleone's descent into the mafia.
These multiple layers of the cowboy antihero narrative in "Yellowstone" make the character of Rip Wheeler one of the most fascinating studies in modern television. His transformation from a broken boy into a loyal soldier of the Dutton clan is a testament to the power of narrative to reshape cultural tropes, taking the classic image of the cowboy and adding dimensions of depth, contradiction, and complexity.
In conclusion, the path of Rip Wheeler, marked by the pivotal event of killing Rowdy, illustrates how "Yellowstone" reimagines the classic cowboy archetype by intertwining it with the codes of the antihero, tribal rites of passage, and the dynamics of crime families. The result is a character study that pushes the boundaries of the genre and invites us to reconsider our own notions of loyalty, justice, and what it truly means to be a cowboy. Or in Rip's case, a cowboy antihero.
