‘Dutton Ranch’ Ep. 3 Preview: Why Should Rip Be Worried?

One picture shared ahead of Episode 3 of Dutton Ranch is leaving fans very confused, while a 30-second teaser video promises trouble on the ranch.

Episode 3 of Dutton Ranch drops on Paramount+ Friday morning and airs on Paramount Network that night.
The first two episodes explained the move to Texas and introduced viewers to Beth and Rip’s new enemies.
The Dutton Rules podcast breaks down each episode weekly. Join next week’s live conversation on Wednesday (May 27) at 2 PM CT.
You’ll find spoilers from Episodes 1 and 2 below, but nothing confirmed about Episode 3. All photos were provided by Paramount.

Related: Why Did Beth and Rip Move to Texas?

Why’d Rip Do It? 23 Burning Questions About Dutton Ranch Ending [Ep. 1+2 Breakdown]
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Dutton Ranch, Episodes 1 + 2 Recap
The first two episodes of Dutton Ranch explained how a wildfire in Montana forced Rip and Beth to move to Texas. Viewers were also introduced to the show’s main characters, including Beulah Jackson, played by Annette Bening.

She appears to be the main nemesis this season, and she’s formidable. Her sons, Rob Will and Joaquin, help her run the ranch, but several scenes between them suggest there’s more going on beneath the surface. For example, Rob Will shoots his ranch foreman, Wes, in the head after suspecting he knows too much about the family’s business.

Is it a guilty conscience, or are the Jacksons hiding something darker?

Carter came to Texas with Beth and Rip, and he quickly meets a cute blonde named Oreana. The two spend an afternoon together, but when he asks her out again, she freezes and mutters something about having a boyfriend before driving away in her Bronco. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that her attitude changes after she sees texts from her father, Rob Will, and grandmother, Beulah.

During Episode 2, Rip discovers Wes’ body on his property. Later, viewers learn that he dug it up and stored it overnight before deciding to drive it to a minefield. This, we’ve since figured out, will become his new “train station.” Nobody is ever going to find out what happened to Wes now, but we still may never know why Rip didn’t just call the cops.

Dutton Ranch Episode 3 Preview

A 30-second trailer for Episode 3, titled “Act of God Business,” includes two troubling moments on Beth and Rip’s ranch. First, Everett tells someone — possibly Azul — that he should be very worried.

A few seconds later, Rip is seen telling new ranch hand Zachariah that his prayers better not be for show, “or I’ll shoot you myself.”

So what went wrong?

Beth likely isn’t part of the conflict. She says she’s heading to Dallas for business, leaving Rip in charge of the herd and the cowboys.

The show is still too new to identify clear patterns, so at this point, fans are mostly guessing. One theory is that Rip learns about some secret connection between Zachariah and the 10P Ranch. Others have speculated that Zachariah could somehow be the father of one of Beulah Jackson’s sons, though that seems far-fetched. Could another body turn up?

Or is Rob Will vandalizing the ranch?

Elsewhere, it looks like Oreana and Carter have reconciled, as they’re seen getting pulled over by the town sheriff. But whose truck window is Oreana smashing?

Not shown in the teaser are several photos Paramount shared ahead of the episode. In particular, fans want answers about this image:

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