The hit Paramount series is expecting another season next year, but the finale of Yellowstone’s third instalment has left several questions unanswered. Several shocked viewers are still hung up on Rip Wheeler’s puzzling decision to dig up his mother’s grave when he was hard-up for cash.
Following an unpredictable relationship with Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly), ranch hand Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) finally realised she was the love of his life in the latest season of Yellowstone.
During the season finale, Rip decided to propose to the intelligent yet troubled daughter of John Dutton (Kevin Costner), but realised he didn’t have enough savings to afford an engagement ring.
In a strange turn of events, Rip visited his mother’s grave to dig up her own wedding ring.
Later on, Beth subverted expectations when she was the one to propose to Rip, before the episode took a dark turn and the Duttons were targeted by unseen hitmen.
READ MORE: Yellowstone season 4 spoilers: Showrunner ‘seals’ John Dutton’s death
Season four is hoped to arrive in 2021, and fans are eager to see the on-again off-again romance finally fulfilled; that is, if Beth actually survived the family’s latest ordeal.
Meanwhile, some viewers are still stumped as to why Rip had no money of his own to pay for a new engagement ring.
After calculating a rough overview of his finances, one perceptive fan argued he should definitely have enough savings to stretch to an engagement ring.
They took to Reddit to give an extensive run-down of the ranch hand’s salary and savings.
“And he’s certainly earning more than that now as a manager. With no other figures to go by, I’ll stick to $ 400 per week.”
Most viewers have put Rip as being in his mid-30s, so he should have acquired plenty of savings without additional accommodation costs that would have normally drained his salary.
Although Rip has some expenses, including his affinity for cold cans of beer, he doesn’t share the Duttons’ business mentality and tends to stay out of their investments.
By analysing Rip’s estimated cash flow, this fan asserted the ranch foreman could have over $ 250,000 tucked away somewhere.
While engagement rings are certainly on the expensive side, they usually fall below six figures and should really be affordable for someone like Rip.
However, another fan argued his tastes could be deceptively expensive despite his unchanging wardrobe.
Pointing out a key line, they said: “Oh s**t! Those are Kerry Kelly spurs!” Pretty sure he’s got mega expensive s**t laying around everywhere.
“Rip might not look like it but he has expensive taste. As far as the remainder of it, when the mattress gets full it goes in barrels and gets buried out back.”
As neighbouring landowners and business rivals muscle in on Dutton Ranch more each season, it’s definitely possible Rip is safeguarding his savings for personal use in case he ever has to jump ship.
Yellowstone is available to watch on Paramount.
