Lasso Our ‘Yellowstone’ Quiz as the Series Moseys Back to TV

Being branded means the ranch hand has taken a vow of absolute loyalty to the ranch, kind of like the Mob’s omertà, or vow of silence. Many of the brand’s bearers had a criminal or troubled past, and the ranch gives them a second chance at life. Early in the first season, Jimmy (played by Jefferson White), who comes from a criminal family, is offered a choice between the brand or being turned in to the cops for his latest transgression.

When there are enemies to shoot and bodies to get rid of, there’s only one place to go: the “train station,” a cliff overlooking a steep ravine in a remote area just over the Wyoming border. The Dutton family has done away with its foes here for the past century. 

We learn in flashback scenes in Season 1 that John’s wife Evelyn died when she was thrown from a horse while riding with two of her children, Beth and Kayce. 

Kayce is a decorated Navy SEAL, though he isn’t willing to disclose much of what he did to get some of those medals. 

Rip was an adolescent when he came to the ranch after killing his abusive father, and he eventually got branded. However, he does become John’s son-in-law when he marries Beth at the end of Season 4.