Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Yellowstone season 5, episode 12, “Counting Coup.”
The ranch lost yet another person inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12, “Counting Coup,” but their death feels a lot different from John Dutton III’s andSarah Atwood’s murders earlier in the season. Paramount Network’s neo-Western drama is assumingly closing out its story in 2024 as season 5 is scheduled to be the TV show’s last outing. Givenhow much carnage has already happened inYellowstoneseason 5, part 2,it seems as if everyone’s life is fair game (even if their deaths don’t make sense concerning the plot).
FollowingYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12, “Counting Coup,” only two episodes remain in the Paramount Network series (unless the reports about a possible sixth season are true).
InYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12, Rip Wheeler and the other ranch hands worked hard to sell off as much of their livestock as possible. As Rip told the others, he would rather lose horses, cattle, bulls, etc. than any of the land to the state. So, the cowboys and cowgirls got to work, with some of them helping transport the animals. However,tragedy struck back at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in episode 12,and one character’s death will change the others' lives forever and particularly impact two of the ranch hands.
Colby Dies While Trying To Help Carter In The Dutton Ranch
Carter was filling up the horses' water in the stables in “Counting Coup” when he came across an untamed horse. This stud was dangerous, and Carter had been warned to stay away, but he didn’t want the animal to get dehydrated. So, he snuck into the stable and retrieved the bucket without much fuss. However, Carter wasn’t so lucky when he returned. After he brought the full water bucket into the stable,the horse backed Carter into a corner, and Colby Mayfield arrived before the stud could injure Carter.Colby helped Carter escape, but it cost theYellowstoneseason 5, part 2 characterhis life.
Is That Kevin Costner As Dead John Dutton In Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2?
After Kevin Costner exited Yellowstone ahead of season 5, part 2, the show killed off his character, but John Dutton still appears in the episodes.
Inside the stable,the horse kicked and stomped on Colby,almost instantlykilling him inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12. After escaping, Carter ran to retrieve a shotgun and returned and shot the animal, but it was too late. The noise of the gun firing alerted the other ranch hands, who all ran to the stables. Sadly, there was nothing they could do but carry Colby’s body out of the stable and inform the others (and Colby’s family) of his death. Ryan and Teeter were devastated, of course, as they lost their best friend and boyfriend, respectively.
Why Colby’s Death In Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 12 Is More Heartbreaking
Colby & Teeter’s Talk At The Beginning Makes His Death More Sad
Perhapsthe first scene inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12 should have tipped off viewers about Colby’s deathas it was seemingly too good to be true. At the top of the hour, Colby and Teeter spoke on the phone, and Colby accidentally let it slip that he loved her. He tried to take it back, claiming that it was early, but Teeter wouldn’t let him off the hook. Before hanging up, Teeter told Colby that she loved him, too, not knowing that would be the last time she ever spoke to him. Consequently, Colby’s death was all the more tragic.
AfterwatchingYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12,The Hollywood Reportersat down withexecutive producer and director Christina Alexandra Voros to discuss Colby’s unexpected death.During the interview, the “Counting Coup” director explained why Colby’s fate was so heartbreaking. Voros said:
“For anyone who really understands the lifestyle of cowboys and working with animals and the risks of the job — and Rip says it about himself — it’s a dangerous job, and this kind of thing happens, and it happens in a split-second. This death comes as a shock because it’s so simple, and it’s so grounded in the world in which all these characters work that it’s profoundly tragic because there’s no enemy here. It’s the risk of the job. And especially because of the way that Colby and Teeter’s relationship has been playing out — absence makes the heart grow fonder; and their relationship had really just begun to take root in a different way — the timing of it is just gut-wrenching.”
Colby’s Yellowstone Death Felt Unnecessary
TV shows should never do something unexpected just for the sake of surprising the audience — they should shock viewers with unforeseen developments that make sense to the story. For example,Sarah’s murder at the end ofYellowstoneseason 5, episode 11was shocking and pushed the plot forward. However,Colby’s death, while unexpected and heartbreaking, contributed little to the storyother than throwing another wrench into the other characters' lives. The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch had already lost John. DidtheYellowstoneseason 5 charactersreally need to lose Colby, too?
YellowstoneSeason 5 Episode #
9
10
“The Apocalypse of Change”
11
12
13
14
Taylor Sheridan
August 20, 2025
The only thing thatColby’s unnecessary death inYellowstoneseason 5, episode 12achieves is one more tally on season 5, part 2’s body count list. Plus,John and Sarah’s previous deaths lessened the impact of Colby’s.If a TV series starts killing characters left and right, each death becomes less and less profound as the story continues, which is why Colby’s fate inYellowstonewas so underwhelming, confusing, and completely uncalled for.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 14, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
