TV Review | Outer Range (Season 2)

“Outer Range continues to be a riveting Western sci-fi series that at its heart is a powerful story about family. This second season is a must-watch. Tamara Podemski is the real MVP of this great cast.“

Two years after its first season, Outer Range returns with a seven-episode second season. The science fiction series stars Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor, Tom Pelphrey and Will Patton. It premieres on May 16 on Prime Video.

THE STORY CONTINUES

Josh Brolin as Royal Abbott in *Outer Range,* photo courtesy of Prime Video.

Season 2 picks up exactly where we left off and it has a lot to unpack. These new episodes jump back and forth between the present and different pasts as it also follows Deputy Sheriff Joy (Tamara Podemski) and Perry Abbott (Tom Pelphrey) who fell down the hole. It continues to strike the right balance between the drama/neo-Western elements with the story of the Abbott and Tillerson families and the science fiction elements with the hole.

The rivalries between the two families remain but their biggest trouble is their own inner challenges. Indeed, the Abbotts have lost the young Amy and Perry, while Roy (Josh Brolin) thinks Autumn (Imogen Poots) is adult Amy. At the same time, they have to face the risk of loosing their land. On the Tillersons’ side, the family is torn apart by what happened. This is a compelling drama.

Moreover, the hole brings more mysteries especially with Autumn’s storyline. However, by the end of the season, there are still no answers. Though, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Answers will come when the time is right. And I think that time will be with season 3 considering how things align with season 2. As of now, Prime Video hasn’t renewed the series yet but I sure hope they will. It can’t be the end just yet, especially with the way season 2 ends. It’s like season 1, it ends with something big happening.

AN ODE TO JOY

Tamara Podemski as Deputy Sheriff Joy Hawk in *Outer Range*, photo courtesy of Prime Video.

My favourite episode this season is without any doubt ‘An Ode to Joy.’ As the title indicates this one is a Joy-centric episode. It really feels like a Western story but told mostly from the point of view Native Americans. In fact, I find it to be extremely compelling. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. On top of that, Joy is a character I really like. And with this episode, she gets the spotlight she deserves. This season has lasting consequences for her character. But, it also puts Joy in a place where what she has been through gives her an important role in the overall story about the hole.

Moreover, I think it is great to have a Native American who is also a LGBT character in a series taking place in Wyoming with a predominantly White cast. Tamara Podemski delivers a striking performance as Joy. She is definitely one of the highlights of this series.

CAST

(L-R): Lili Taylor as Cecilia Abbott and Josh Brolin as Royal Abbott in *Outer Range*, photo courtesy of Prime Video.

Josh Brolin is just as excellent as he was in the first season. It just feels good to see him back in a TV series. On top of that, he also gets in director’s chair this season. He directed the penultimate episode. Lily Taylor has an impressive acting range that she brings to full use in this series. Obviously, I have to mention Tom Pelphrey, I’ve been a fan of this actor ever since I saw him in Ozark. He’s great in this role showing the cocky side of his character while also showing that maybe he can learn from his mistakes. More importantly, we get to see Will Patton more this season. It’s always a win for me when Patton receives more screen time.

VERDICT

Outer Range continues to be a riveting Western sci-fi series that at its heart is a powerful story about family. This second season is a must-watch. Tamara Podemski is the real MVP of this great cast.