Teeter and Colby are nearly killed by Wade Morrow (Boots Sutherland), who Market Equities hired to provoke John Dutton and his ranch hands, in the hope that they would do something illegal that the company could sue them for. However, after Teeter and Colby make it home alive, John Dutton goes on the offensive, sanctioning the series’ most brutal scene.

Walker (Ryan Bingham), who’s just been brought back to the ranch by Rip (Cole Hauser), lures Wade and his son, Clint (Brent Walker), onto the Yellowstone. Then, Rip and the other cowboys ride up on Wade, lassoing him with a rope and pulling him to the ground. However, what the ranch hands did next made it Yellowstone’s darkest scene.

While the younger Morrow dies during the chase, hitting his head on a rock after falling off his horse, the cowboys drag Wade over to a tree, planning to hang him. However, Rip first makes Walker cut the Yellowstone brand out of Wade’s chest. Then, the cowboys hang Wade from the tree, with Yellowstone audiences watching him get executed on-screen.

The Season 3 Episode Is Still Flawless

“Meaner Than Evil” Contains Many Standout Yellowstone Moments

Despite its grim story, “Meaner Than Evil” is a near-perfect episode and encapsulates the creed of the Yellowstone franchise. While John Dutton’s ranch hands fight dirty against Wade Morrow, they are fighting back against the Market Equities executives who want to take their land and develop it. The moral conflict John and his family face inspires the episode’s title.

When John and Kayce sit at the end of the episode, the reflective moment evokes one of John Dutton’s best Yellowstone quotes, perfectly summarizing why he sanctioned Wade’s murder. John tells Kayce that there are evil people, and the Duttons have to be “meaner than evil” to stop them, but somehow still enjoy life’s treasures, like family and the sunset.

“Meaner Than Evil” also marks the beginning of Colby and Teeter’s romance, following their near-death experience. Additionally, Jamie (Wes Bentley) meets his biological father, and Willa Hayes inspires one of Beth Dutton’s best quotes when John’s daughter tells Willa she’s going to hang her diploma over the toilet. However, Wade’s brutal death is what makes the Yellowstone episode memorable.