Note: This story contains spoilers from “Yellowstone” Season 5, Episode 12.

There’s something about the run to Season 5, Part 2 of “Yellowstone” that feels like a funeral march. The show’s ratings are still going strong and creator Taylor Sheridan is more prolific than ever, but its crown jewel reeks of death. Maybe it’s because the series lost its lead actor, Kevin Costner, before this season’s release and therefore quickly sent him to the big screen in the premiere. Or maybe it’s just because it’s “Yellowstone,” a show that’s always been full of drama and desperation, and the producers want to go out with a bloody bang.

Whatever the case, there’s already some blood in the water on “Yellowstone,” from the longed-for death of the evil Sarah Atwood (Dawn Oliveri) last week to the much sadder (and much more random) death of ranch hand Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards) this week. While trying to save Carter (Finn Little), Colby was trampled by a galloping horse in a stable and acted quickly and with cowboy dignity just hours after confessing his love to Teeter (Jennifer Landon) over the phone. It was dialogue we should have seen as a bad omen – when does a confession of love in a TV drama ever lead to anything good? – but it was still shocking. We knew there would be more blood this season, but we didn’t think it would turn out like this.

There’s symbolic blood on the ranch too, as Rip (Cole Hauser) tries to scrape together some cattle and cash to appease Uncle Sam, who, as he says, “wants his pound of flesh.” It’s fire sale time on the ranch and down in Texas, where Travis (Taylor Sheridan herself) is tasked with getting the best price for the cattle and horses down there as quickly as possible. He’s also forced to pass on the news of John’s death to Jimmy (Jefferson White), who takes it hard but decides to stay in the saddle a little longer in honor of his old boss.

Speaking of Uncle Sam: Things aren’t looking particularly good for Jamie (Wes Bentley), who is being questioned by the police about Sarah Atwood’s death. He stumbles into explaining their relationship because it doesn’t look good that the DA is having a love affair with someone he does a lot of business to, and he mistakenly throws his weight when the detective (Rory Cochrane) asks Sarah’s house to search for belongings in the house. This puts the police on his trail pretty quickly, and a quick call to Kayce (Luke Grimes) after the interview more or less confirms the fluff’s suspicions. Meanwhile, Jamie runs around his house like a chicken with his head cut off, shredding documents, which doesn’t make him look guilty at all.

While you might say, “Great, Jamie’s going to jail.” Now the Duttons don’t have to exact their murderous revenge anymore, Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Kayce certainly don’t see it that way. Beth rightly tells Kayce that if Jamie gets into trouble, he will spill the family’s secrets faster than a broken glass of whiskey, and quickly takes his fate into his own hands. Meanwhile, Kayce finally realizes what his vision quest meant last season and calls Mo (Moses Brings Plenty) to do what’s best for his family.

We find out that this means that after his daughter’s soccer game, he jumps into the backseat of evil mercenary Grant Horton (Matt Gerald), holds a very frightening silenced gun to her head when she’s in elementary school, and gives it to the hitman in No. 1 tells uncertain conditions that if he goes after another Dutton, he will quickly find himself in a world of familial pain. Kayce leaves the car after counting the coup. This is both the title of the episode and a Native American tradition in which warriors show their strength by touching an opponent in battle without being killed. It’s not that Kayce tilt Kill the man who carried out the plan to kill his father. He could do it easily. Instead, he chooses mercy (and terror), which makes him all the more powerful.

Whatever happens next in “Yellowstone” is sure to be equal parts shocking and pathetic, as Teeter and Co. return to the fold after multiple losses and the Dutton clan circles the proverbial wagons to save the future – or at least to be reckoned with her family land.

With only two episodes left before the whole show hurtles off into the sunset forever, it’s sure to be a bumpy (and bloody) ride.

“Yellowstone” airs Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Paramount Network.

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