Outer Range

Outer Range is a slow paced but very interesting and enjoyable sci-fi western. I've read a lot of people comparing it to shows like Yellowstone, Twin Peaks and X-Files and that's exactly what it reminded me of, a combination of those three shows. Obviously it's not as good as those, especially Yellowstone, but it's still worth watching. Not everyone will like this because it has a slower pace and takes a while before questions are answered. Josh Brolin absolutely kills it (as usual) and Tom Pelfrey was just nominated for an Emmy last year for his role in Ozark and he's just as good in this, he's such a good actor, actually the entire cast is amazing. My only complaint about this show is the amount of time between seasons, I mean over two years went by between season one and two. That's ridiculous. Who can remember everything with that long of a break? Anyway, it's a series definitely worth watching.

Lots of intelligent reviews about this show already so I'm going to just take this opportunity to talk about the amazing performances. In particular, Lili Taylor. I did not know I needed Lili Taylor as rancher matriarch in my life, but oh I really did. How I enjoyed watching her just own this part! The way she zig zags from wife to mother to slightly unhinged to feral while also somehow simultaneously heartbreakingly vulnerable and back again with absolute mastery. Even if I didn't like the show I'd watch it just to see what she's going to do next.

Fortunately I do like the show and am looking forward to season 3. I have absolutely no idea where it's going from here, but the easiest way to watch is just to accept it as it comes. I'm not even trying to figure it out. Just watch it and enjoy the surreal wonder of it.

I am almost finished with season 2. This is a very engaging story and I'm usually very anxious to see the next episode. When I started season 2, I realized I didn't catch a lot of critical parts of season 1 and I had to go back and rewatch parts of it. Either I have a really bad memory or the story is just too confusing to grasp the first time around. It was also helpful for me to go online and read a recap of each episode written by random people. So, if you're willing to put a little work into it, it's a fascinating story with a little sci fi thrown in. I would say the acting is superb. Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Imogene Poots are very good. It seems like season 2 is going at a much faster pace than season 1 but, again, you really have to pay attention. As others have mentioned, the singing and music choices are annoying and a few times I had to fast forward because it was like nails on a chalkboard. This is a gritty western type series with some fist fights, hunting scenes, and horse chases. I usually don't like that type of film, but this one has caught my attention.

Outer Range is just as much typically American as Dark is typically German. It is actually interesting to see two different approaches to the same topic.

It has its pros and cons. I understand why it incorporates so much clichés about a farmer's life and small town America, but it gets a bit too much for me as the show progresses. I wouldn't go that far too call it boring, it is only a minor inconvenience for my European eyes and ears.

On the other side, the supernatural part of the story is quite refreshing as opposed to "traditional" science fiction.

Overall it's a good show, deserves a strong seven.

Showrunner/writer Brian Watkins is a complete unknown, and there is no source material to cheat off of. However, Plan B, the production company that is producing the series also produced OA, the Sci Fi thriller series that ran on Netflix and was a fantastic series. Hopes are high, the lead actors are all very, very strong. What I do know, for absolute sure... Yellowstone, yeah, this ain't that. Just because a show has a rancher doesn't mean it should be directly compared to Yellowstone, this show feels ABSOLUTELY different. The production, cinematography, music, writing, acting....name it, Outer Range has a completely different tone.

Episode 1 was very vague, episode 2, The Land was a little more coherent and yet somehow not. We keep chucking things into the unknown, and not getting a lot back. It's all a little slow burn and very brooding, there was a decent carrot towards the end. Is Royal Abbot, Roy Neary?!? I kid, but theories are going to be endless in a series like this. Either way the production and acting have been enough of a positive to keep interest, the scenery and especially music have been great.

I am still utterly confused, not necessarily in a bad way, and I'm completely looking forward to seeing where this goes. It looks like it's going to be a very twisted trip down a black rabbit hole....