What will become of Dutton Ranch‘s favorite young lovers? Though their connection has been passionate and unruly from the start, Carter (Finn Little) thought he found “the one” in the fiery Oreana Jackson (Natalie Alyn Lind). However, after their disastrous exchange at the 10-Petal anniversary party, their future together is in question. When asked what they thought of their characters’ first fight, the two actors had very different reactions. “I was so upset,” recalled Alyn Lind. “I was like, ‘I hate my character right now.’” Little, however, was delighted that Carter got to get drunk and make a scene. “I loved it,” said Little with a laugh. “He got a bit lippy and found out something he didn’t want to find out.”
Shockingly, the Jackson family matriarch Beulah (Annette Bening) suffers a heart attack at the end of the evening. “It’s a big moment for the Jacksons,” said Alyn Lind. “Up until then, you have only seen them at each other’s throats.” Oreana is forced to grow up fast with her grandmother in the hospital. Lind observes: “Any time there’s a risk of losing somebody, your priorities change.” But she also notes that Carter is still “in the back of Oreana’s mind.” “She’s got a crush.”
While Oreana is in the hospital, Carter is dealing with a nasty hangover and confronting the questions of what he wants to do with the rest of his life. “Deep down, Carter wants to be like Rip. He wants to be like John Dutton,” said Little. “He just needs to figure out the path that will take him where he wants to go.” While these existential questions put Carter temporarily (hopefully!) at odds with Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser), Finn points out that the real target of Carter’s rage is himself. “He doesn’t know where to put all of that anger,” said Little. “That’s part of the reason that he’s acting out.”
Alyn Lind and Little hopped on a Zoom with Decider to talk about this week’s episode, dive deep into their characters’ family dynamics, and tease the series’ upcoming season finale.
DECIDER: Welp, Oreana and Carter had their first fight. What were your reactions when you first read the script for Episode 7 with the 10-Petal anniversary party?
NATALIE ALYN LIND: I was so upset! I was like, “I hate my character right now.” [Laughs] I really had to get in his face a little bit in that one scene. [To Finn] I remember thinking, “oh, I hate that I’m talking to you like this right now.”
FINN LITTLE: Personally, I loved it [laughs]. I loved that Carter was going to fuck it up at the party. I was like, “that’s great.”
Natalie, is there any part of Oreana that’s still attracted to her rich ex, Harrison? Was it her intention to snub Carter?
NAL: I don’t think so. She’s attracted to the idea of proving something to Beulah, but it doesn’t have anything to do with Harrison. She’s just seeing what she can get from him. Oreana has this really big portion of her heart that Carter fits into, but she’s scared of that love she has for him. Maybe a part of her wanted to push Carter away to see if he would come back.
Finn, why do you think Carter was so quick to think the worst of Oreana? Is it just the pains of first love?
FL: Yeah, the pains of first love or the whiskey [laughs]. The whiskey was probably hitting them both pretty good. He got a bit lippy and found out something he didn’t want to find out. So, that’s on him.
Speaking of bulls, Carter proves he is one by throwing Beulah’s mounted steer head on the ground. Finn, what was the most challenging part of filming that sequence?
FL: Bringing that steer head down the stairs. They had these breakaway horns that would just fly off. I had to walk down those stairs acting drunk a few times. More than a few times. Though, the scene was so fun to film. The props department worked so hard on those horns, and being the guy who got to “break” them was very fun [laughs]. It was a great day on set for me.
I want to get into this week’s episode. Natalie, does Beulah’s heart attack change how Oreana feels towards her grandmother?
NAL: Yes, I would say so. It’s a big moment for the Jacksons because up until then, you have only seen them at each other’s throats. It’s the first time they have come together with love and compassion and genuine fear that they’re going to lose their matriarch. You see them vulnerable for the first time. Any time there’s a risk of losing somebody, priorities change. It’s an important moment for the entire Jackson family.
The minute Oreana sees Beth in the hospital room when she comes to visit, she immediately asks about Carter. Is she interested in repairing that connection?
NAL: She’s got a crush [laughs]. In that moment, I don’t know if her mind is necessarily on Carter. She is definitely more focused on her family. However, it just shows that Carter’s in the back of her mind, and he’s not leaving.
Finn, Carter is in a bad way in this episode, but he’s forced to face some truths. Is being a cowboy like Rip and John Dutton really his dream?
FL: It is his dream. Ever since Carter got to the Yellowstone, he’s been influenced by what was around him. Even though he goes to Sheriff Wade and tries to force him to give him a job, Carter doesn’t really want that. He’s just mixed up. Deep down, Carter wants to be like Rip. He wants to be like John Dutton. He just needs figure out the path that will take him where he wants to go.
Speaking of Sheriff Wade, I was shocked that Carter tries to blackmail him! Were you surprised Carter had them in him?
FL: [Laughs] Well, you hang around Beth long enough and you’re gonna develop some killer instincts.
At one point in the episode, Beth tells Carter: “You and I were given to one another, and I’m sure as hell glad we were.” Does Carter realize how important he is to Beth and does he appreciate the weight of that statement?
FL: I think he’s still figuring that out. I don’t think he understands the effect he’s had on their lives.
I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about your big scene with Cole Hauser in the barn during this episode. I gasped when Carter clenched his fists at Rip. Why do you think he’s angrier with Rip than Beth?
FL: I think Carter’s just angry with himself. He doesn’t know where to put all of that anger. That’s part of the reason why he’s acting out. I loved doing those scenes with Cole. We talked a little bit about how to how to approach that confrontation. Carter doesn’t really know where his head’s at in that moment.
Speaking of family, Natalie, do you think Oreana realizes what a destructive force her father is?
NAL: To a degree. Oreana recognizes that her dad is toxic, but she doesn’t want to see it. Love can come with a certain blindness. Oreana’s not a dumb girl. She sees the effects of his actions, but that’s her dad. She’ll defend him to the end. It’s not the healthiest relationship. His bad behavior has impacted her. Personally, I love the fact that Oreana and her father aren’t well-behaved [laughs]. They’re the type of people that I would want to get a drink with.
Next week is the big season finale. What can you tease for your characters?
NAL: Episode 9 changes everything.
FL: It really does.
NAL: Oreana becomes a different person in Episode 9. She doesn’t know what her next step will be. I’m just going to leave it at that before I get into trouble [laughs].
Finn, what about Carter? Is he a little closer to finding himself by the end of the season?
FL: That’s a struggle that will be ongoing. However, I’m hopeful that in time he’ll be able to come to terms with who he is and not punish himself too much .