Why The Beth & Monica Boutique Scene Lives Rent-Free In My Head

The Yellowstone boutique scene convinced me that Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Monica (Kelsey Asbille) have the best friendship in the entire show. The Dutton family tree in Yellowstone extends far back through the generations, but it does not typically extend outwards. The family is an insular group of people who do not trust outsiders. They’re so insular, in fact, that I sometimes find it difficult to relate to them. While I love the show and the characters, even I, as a viewer, sometimes feel on the outside looking in.

That’s probably why I enjoy Monica’s character so much. Monica, who has gotten way too close to death on too many occasions, is like my wedge into the Dutton family. She was an outsider, brought in thanks to her marriage to Kayce (Luke Grimes). Beth Dutton is one of the family members most concerned with protecting the Duttons from the prying eyes and hands of outsiders, so if she is ever willing to let her guard down for another, you know that must mean she really cares.

Beth Used Her Rage For Good When She Stood Up For Monica In The Yellowstone Boutique Scene

When Beth Directs Her Anger It Makes For A Satisfying Watch

Beth is one angry Dutton, even when compared to other irritable members of her family. Sometimes I find her overdramatic sermons about revenge and rage a little bit eye-rolling, but then there are moments, like in season 2, episode 9, “Enemies by Monday”, when I’m delighted there’s someone like Beth in the Dutton’s corner. In the episode, Monica, who is part of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, goes shopping in a high-end boutique where she is falsely accused of stealing by the racist owner. Monica is forced into a humiliating strip search.

It’s a gross and upsetting scene that made me wince until Beth shows up. Without even questioning what’s happening, Beth sends the police away, destroys the boutique, and puts the owner in an equally compromising position.

I often feel bad for Monica. She’s a gentler soul than the family she has married into and is often forced to accept the destruction they cause, but in this scene, I was pumping my fists in the air when she was allowed a taste of what having a formidable family can look like.

Even better, just when I was getting nervous that Beth (and the scene) was going too far, Monica stepped in to waylay my fears. By stopping Beth from punishing the clerk too much, Monica got to watch the racist woman be harassed and publicly humiliated by Beth while also retaining some of the moral high ground by stopping Beth from doing something worse. Beth’s anger is a blast to watch, but it’s her loyalty to her family that prevents me from getting sick of her outbursts. As long as she occasionally uses her rage for “good”, I’m always team Beth.

Beth & Monica’s Friendship Is My Favorite On Yellowstone

Beth And Monica Are An Unlikely Pairing On The Show

Yellowstone is a cowboy show, emphasis on “boy”. While there are a few female characters on the show, there certainly aren’t as many as the men, and female relationships are even fewer and farther between. This isn’t a criticism specific to creator Taylor Sheridan; movies and TV shows are overwhelmingly male-centric. Beth doesn’t seem to like anyone save for the abstract idea of her “family”, and so she and Monica have never really had a reason to connect. Considering Monica’s penchant for kindness and Beth’s for violence, they never struck me as two peas in a pod.

However, that Monica chose to call Beth over Kayce shows that some love has developed between the two women. Even more notable, Monica was able to call Beth off, and I’ve never seen anyone in Yellowstone, save maybe John (Kevin Costner), do that before. Monica and Beth seem to have a real friendship rooted in respect. Their relationship isn’t one of the best in Yellowstone because it’s one of the only female ones; it’s because of who they are, both as individuals and to each other.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.

Cast

Finn Little , Brecken Merrill , Gil Birmingham , Denim Richards , Ian Bohen , Danny Huston , Kelly Reilly , Forrie J. Smith , Cole Hauser , Kelsey Asbille , Wes Bentley , Jefferson White , Kevin Costner , Luke Grimes , Ryan Bingham

Release Date

June 20, 2018

Seasons

5

Creator(s)

Taylor Sheridan , John Linson

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