"Outer Range" First Impressions: Amazon's Gripping Sci-Fi Western

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: April 15, 2022

Even before the recent focus of entertainment news surrounding the downfall of Netflix or the quality of content coming out of HBOMax and Apple TV+, Prime Video had been overlooked as a source of quality content. It is never spoken of in the same vein as the aforementioned services, even with notable releases such as “The Boys,” “The Main in the High Castle,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and “Sneaky Pete”. If it was, maybe series like “Outer Range” would be a less hidden gem that all could enjoy. After catching the first three episodes, this is a show poised to break the mold of much of what is dominating the streaming airwaves, deserving to fall into the camp of critically acclaimed oddities like “Westworld” or “Raised by Wolves”.

Attempting to synopsize this series billed as a science fiction neo-Western mystery thriller is quite the challenge considering the various plot threads pulled on through just three episodes. The series centers around the Abbott family, a prominent ranching family in their small Wyoming town. Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) is the head of the ranch, along with his wife, Cecilia (Lili Taylor), and two sons, Perry (Tom Pelphrey) and Lewis (Lewis Pullman). Perry's young daughter, Amy (Olive Abercrombie), also lives on the farm following her mother's mysterious disappearance nine months prior. Still reeling from this tragedy, the Abbott's stress finds no relief when Billy (Noah Reid), Trevor (Matt Lauria), and Luke Tillerson (Shaun Sipos) from the neighboring ranch lay legal claim to part of the Abbott's land on behalf of their father, Wayne Tillerson (Will Patton). The rising tensions between these families grow exponentially when an unfortunate incident at the local bar results in Trevor Tillerson's death and Royal's dumping of the body. Take the warring families and throw in the acting sheriff of the town who finds herself in the middle of this investigation while also navigating the political battlefield as she seeks election to Deputy Sheriff. Thus far, this “Yellowstone”-like series seems like a pretty cut and dry Western thriller, but that barely scratches the surface of the many corners this series explores.

The science fiction mystery thriller portion of the show introduces quite a bit of the “Twilight Zone” that ultimately drives the intrigue of what becomes a plot-driven, well, plots-driven, series. The sci-fi stardom centers around a large black hole, well, more of a chasm, that Royal finds in the western part of his property. Coincidentally enough, the western portion is also the region the Tillerson's are claiming belong to them. The mysterious nature of this hole is finally explored a bit in episode 3, but only enough to tease a potential explanation of what it does. There is a bit of a time travel element, but as far as its origins or the ultimate purpose it will play in the story, it all remains up for further inquiry.

Though supernatural/metaphysical in nature, the hole's treatment highlights the show's biggest strength: making the extraordinary ordinary. There is no spotlight thrown at the sci-fi elements, nor do the characters treat them with much more than level-headed curiosity. Rather, these elements seem almost as fitting and natural as the small town drama and mountainous landscape. It exudes a fair bit of eeriness that characters are not more freaked out by the things they encounter. It also keeps the story easily digestible, even when odd "Twin Peaks" red room-like sequences between Wayne Tillerson and a mounted buffalo head leaves the audience utterly perplexed.

Diving further into plot's many mysteries is the arrival of Autumn (Imogen Poots) to the Abbott ranch, a wanderer looking to camp on their land. It is very clear that this character brings many hidden layers and perhaps an understanding of some of the strange things that seem to be tied to the land she is camping on. From strange rocks to a disappearing mountain to an odd symbol painted on a cliff, Autumn is positioned in the middle of a lot of question marks that trickle throughout the first three episodes. Tying her in to the core of the story is her unorthodox connection to Royal and their shared lack of childhood memories, amongst other shared secrets. While it has not yet explicitly been mentioned, the question of how all of these strange happenings may connect to the disappearance of Perry's wife Rebecca hangs overhead. I would be remissed to not mention the all-seeing buffalo that likes to show up randomly, usually with arrows sticking out its side. Symbolic of something, sure, but of what is yet to be understood.

What I found appealing about the show is that it has compelling characters, which is made possible by its strong cast, but distances itself from being a character study. This would usually yield the opposite reaction from me as someone who puts a lot of weight into layered characters and watching their development. Even so, the show simultaneously also pushes itself from becoming an overbearing sci-fi mind bender. Somehow, it maintains such a grounded story while non-chalantly folding in eccentric happenings. Specific bonds, such as the one between Royal and Autumn, are sparingly visited, but carry so much weight that they become just as compelling as the giant black chasm. Motivated by keeping the focus on the family's difficulties within and between each other, rather than becoming a science experiment, the story fleshes out the characters enough to want to see more; even though characters are fleshed out specifically in their connection to the sci-fi elements.

Where the first three episodes seem lacking, though, is in fleshing out the Tillersons, who are poised as the show's antagonists. Wayne Tillerson, the patriarch, is a sole motivator of his family's intentions, yet very little is understood about him. He is sick and appears to be losing his mind, being captured in what appear to be dementia-driven rants. His motivations behind wanting part of the Abbott land are unclear, though the mysterious rocks seem highly motivating to him, and the total scope of his influence on the many mysteries also remains downplayed. The mystery that each character holds keeps their development afloat, but he is positioned as too important to only offer as little as they have. I also find the storyline with the sherrif completely lackluster and carrying little merit. Her role exposes the many inner-relations and political power structures of the town, but these are so uninteresting when the show is tackling deeper concepts.

It seems obvious that there are pieces of the puzzle the audience has not been made privy to yet, and that is enough to push the “Next Episode” button as quick as possible. The episode structure lends to some really good cliffhangers too, which are equally as enticing as the overarching mysteries. Even with three episodes of story, there is no clear direction or semblance of a finish line, and while that should be somewhat frustrating, it is enthralling. The cast seems dedicated to the cause as well, treating their dialogue with the utmost respect, such as Brolin's powerful prayer scene in the second episode. The range of outcomes is still highly variable and there is plenty of potential for this show to ruin itself, but for now, this new offering from Amazon Prime has me dedicated to the ride.