Fans of Taylor Sheridan‘s gripping drama—Yellowstone have been glued to their screens by its complicated characters and shocking turns. Denim Richards plays Colby Mayfield, one of these characters who became a fan favorite. Colby worked as a ranch hand on the Yellowstone Ranch owned by the Dutton family. He was liked by his fellow cowboys for being loyal, funny, and friendly. But in Season 5, his story took a terrible turn that broke people’s hearts.
In Season 3, Colby Mayfield was introduced as one of the bunkhouse crew, a group of ranch hands who work tirelessly to protect the Yellowstone Ranch. Teeter (Jennifer Landon), a close friend of his, turned into a sweet romance, which gave his character more depth. Colby showed a softer side when they were together. At first, he fought Teeter’s bold advances, but in the end, he accepted their relationship. Over the seasons, he showed what he was made of in dangerous situations, like protecting the land from outside threats and putting up with tough physical challenges.
What Happened to Colby in Yellowstone Season 5?
At the start of the episode 12 called “Counting Coup”, Colby is on the phone with his girlfriend Teeter (Jen Landon), which is a happy scene. In a rare moment of weakness, Colby accidentally tells Teeter he loves her, and she does the same. In a short but touching conversation, they talk before the story takes a terrible turn.
While Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and the rest of the ranch staff try to get money by selling off animals, Colby has to load a dangerous horse called a “maneater.” Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) had told Rip before that the animal was too dangerous and couldn’t be trained, but Rip didn’t listen.
Carter (Finn Little), who works in the barn, sets off the horse’s bad mood by chance when he fills up its water bucket. He is trapped in the stall by the horse, but Colby gets there just in time to help. He heard him yelling for help and ran to help him. Colby gets the horse’s attention. Colby told him to leave the stall when he came in to try to distract the horse, but the horse kicked Colby in the chest with its back legs and then stomped on him with its front hooves.
Carter quickly ran to get a gun and put the horse down. But it’s too late! to save Colby. The sound of the gunshot brought Rip and Lloyd to the barn, where they found Colby dead.
When Rip and Lloyd hear the noise, they rush to the scene but it’s too late. Rip tells Carter that the tragedy wasn’t his fault as he kneels next to Colby’s dead body. Rip owns up to his mistake and says he should have paid attention to—Lloyd’s advice about the horse.
The Aftermath of Colby’s Death
After Colby’s death, things on the ranch are affected in different ways. Teeter and Ryan (Ian Bohen) in Texas are both having a hard time dealing with the unexpected death of their life partner and best friend, respectively.
Lloyd and Beth (Kelly Reilly) get ready to send Colby’s things to his family by packing them up. Lloyd leaves Colby’s hat on his bunk, saying that it’s cowboy practice to do this after death. Beth talks about how Colby’s actions were motivated by his bravery and devotion to the land. She is clearly upset about the loss.
After that, Beth finds Carter, who is holding himself responsible for Colby’s passing. She reassures him that he is a member of the Dutton family and gives him some of advice. When she finds a depressed Rip who is also holding himself responsible for Colby’s accident, she resumes her pep talk tour. She pours him a glass of Buffalo Trace to help him feel better and another to throw in the fire.
The death of Colby is a big blow to the Dutton Ranch—both as a personal loss and as a reminder of how hard their lives really are. The fact that he was brave enough to save Carter says a lot about his character and solidifies his reputation among the Yellowstone cowboys.
As the series goes on, this tragedy makes the already troubled story of the Dutton family and their land even more complicated. The harsh scenery is a stark reminder of what people who work for Yellowstone have given up.
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