Everything's been said in the first 200 reviews, except for this: these people have got to stop giving each episode to a different director and/or different writer. The quality, and the whole concept, goes up and down randomly from episode to episode. The characters look the same but speak and act differently. Find a good writer and keep him/her. Find a good director and keep him/her. Complete variation in tone and concept is NOT what we want in a long story.
756 Reviews
Slow paced but interesting and original
Supermanfan-1329 May 2024
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.
Nice series but it has some problems
asaf-2585725 May 2024
There is a built up tension in the series that made me want to watch more and more episodes. However, it has some fundamental problems. The characters react quite strangely to human situations, for example the loss of relatives. Some of them even have robotic behavior in certain situations, such as Perry Abbott, and others have annoying behavior that makes you uncomfortable as a viewer, such as Autumn. In general, it feels like some of the characters suffer from psychiatric disorders for no apparent reason while others who are supposed to suffer from problems due to difficult past experiences, are too calm.
The plot is sometimes confused and some of the details in certain chapters are not relevant to the continuation. Despite this, I am waiting for season 3.
The plot is sometimes confused and some of the details in certain chapters are not relevant to the continuation. Despite this, I am waiting for season 3.
Different
macc9912 March 2024
This show doesn't meet you half-way. It doesn't throw in 'eye candy' scenes or give you particularly likeable characters or hold your hand in any way. You have to either pay attention and fully-engage with it or go watch something else.
If you do stick with it, you'll be enjoying one of the most original, thought-provoking dramas in a long time. The central conceit is outrageous, but it works because the film-maker's commit to it and to delivering it in a very specific tone.
It's great to see a drama that takes bold risks with story-telling and, had it fallen flat, it would be still be laudable for that intention alone. But it doesn't fall flat - it works as a fine, ambitious piece of quality, high-end TV. Really looking forward to seeing where it goes in season 2.
If you do stick with it, you'll be enjoying one of the most original, thought-provoking dramas in a long time. The central conceit is outrageous, but it works because the film-maker's commit to it and to delivering it in a very specific tone.
It's great to see a drama that takes bold risks with story-telling and, had it fallen flat, it would be still be laudable for that intention alone. But it doesn't fall flat - it works as a fine, ambitious piece of quality, high-end TV. Really looking forward to seeing where it goes in season 2.
Get to the point!
sandynolen30 April 2022
Started out good, good actors & plot, but what's with all the minor side bars that take up all the time? All the fighting, lack of communication causing problems make me want to go in and grab their tongues to make them talk. Nowhere are there that many people that don't communicate with their families! It makes the show drag on & on & on.
Promising Sci-Fi Neo-Western
anonymous_Tigraway28 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Outer Range is a story about family and land in the fictional town of Wabang, Wyoming where we are invited into the house of the Abbott family and their ranch with one twist - a mysterious, otherworldly hole on their ranch's western range. The premise is simple but there is a richness that pervades the ensuing exploration of this mystery mainly due to the family dynamics that power the storytelling - the Abbott family, with the patriarchal Royal Abbott, the emotive and powerful Cecilia Abbott, and their two sons, Rhett and Perry. As any family, they have their secrets, struggles, pain, and moments of joy (which I wish was more highlighted in the trailer as the show's marketing put Josh Brolin front and center and not much of the other cast). A family tragedy starts the story and the repercussions lead to unexpected twists and turns including time-travel.
Besides the main storyline, Outer Range explores many themes and one that I found interesting was the religious exposition - mainly how each family member is losing faith as they face emotional and financial tribulations. Christianity and the struggle of hope and disbelief, faith and doubt, joy & sadness are issues that the elder Abbotts in particular struggle with - two examples being the scenes where Cecilia realizes Amy is missing and cries "Amy is Gone" before abruptly switching to and bawling repeatedly"God is gone!" and where Royal Abbott leads a family prayer with a rather benign start that takes a turn into an expression of rage and anger. The acting from Josh Brolin (Royal Abbott) and Lili Tylor (Cecilia Tylor) in these scenes was stellar (the show overall had a great cast).
A few things that did not work for me were the storyline of Autumn and the Tillerson sons - two seasons on, there is much that is cloudy with their infatuation to Autumn. It is not explained well except for the visions that the brothers share of Autumn when they are high on matter from the hole.
The time travel is intriguing and the "rules" are still not clear as Perry kills a version of himself and Autumn is on the same timeline and space as Amy throughout the show. If one springs to the future, there is no conflict with a future self but when one travels to the past, what happens to alternate versions of oneself? Are alternate timelines/universes what is being suggested here? We will know more if the show is renewed for a third season.
Finally, the Native American themes of the show add much to the narrative around land, ownership, family and community. The casting here was also commendable.
Rating for first and second seasons 8/10.
Besides the main storyline, Outer Range explores many themes and one that I found interesting was the religious exposition - mainly how each family member is losing faith as they face emotional and financial tribulations. Christianity and the struggle of hope and disbelief, faith and doubt, joy & sadness are issues that the elder Abbotts in particular struggle with - two examples being the scenes where Cecilia realizes Amy is missing and cries "Amy is Gone" before abruptly switching to and bawling repeatedly"God is gone!" and where Royal Abbott leads a family prayer with a rather benign start that takes a turn into an expression of rage and anger. The acting from Josh Brolin (Royal Abbott) and Lili Tylor (Cecilia Tylor) in these scenes was stellar (the show overall had a great cast).
A few things that did not work for me were the storyline of Autumn and the Tillerson sons - two seasons on, there is much that is cloudy with their infatuation to Autumn. It is not explained well except for the visions that the brothers share of Autumn when they are high on matter from the hole.
The time travel is intriguing and the "rules" are still not clear as Perry kills a version of himself and Autumn is on the same timeline and space as Amy throughout the show. If one springs to the future, there is no conflict with a future self but when one travels to the past, what happens to alternate versions of oneself? Are alternate timelines/universes what is being suggested here? We will know more if the show is renewed for a third season.
Finally, the Native American themes of the show add much to the narrative around land, ownership, family and community. The casting here was also commendable.
Rating for first and second seasons 8/10.
Now pass the GD potatoes
slak96u18 April 2022
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....
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....
A bit of a struggle to watch
DarthWalker-3438115 April 2024
Outer Range is one of those shows that was a bit of a struggle to watch, but I watched any way because I was desperate for new content and nothing else interested me. This series had supernatural overtones which I liked. Conceptually, this show is a bit out there. The story and Imogen Poots' character, Autumn Rivers, along with a few other characters were a bit wack-a-doo. Her presence and motive is uncertain and a little weak in terms of character development and story-building. Josh Brolin and Lil Taylor's performances were strong. But, overall, it was a struggle to watch, but I'm glad I watched it, because there was a pay-off at the end.
NOT Yellowstone...
FerbalGnarf15 April 2022
I was searching for something to watch late at night and I came across this Western; I took a chance.
I was mildly intrigued, invested my time and was rewarded with this small gem. So, I watched the next episode and was again rewarded, now with a mystery that needs to be solved.
Don't buy into any comparisons with "Yellowstone", you can't compare it. This stands alone and is definitely a contemporary Western... with a genre twist. Something like M. Night Shyamalan meets a Western.
I'm giving it a generous 8 because I want this to work. I enjoyed watching Josh Brolin's extensive career and British born Imogen Poots ("28 Weeks Later" and "V for Vendetta").
I'm not going to give you any more details and I don't want to ruin this for you, but it certainly is worth the time to watch these fine actors.
You can't pigeon-hole this show into one specific genre, don't even try. Just watch it, you won't be disappointed.
I was mildly intrigued, invested my time and was rewarded with this small gem. So, I watched the next episode and was again rewarded, now with a mystery that needs to be solved.
Don't buy into any comparisons with "Yellowstone", you can't compare it. This stands alone and is definitely a contemporary Western... with a genre twist. Something like M. Night Shyamalan meets a Western.
I'm giving it a generous 8 because I want this to work. I enjoyed watching Josh Brolin's extensive career and British born Imogen Poots ("28 Weeks Later" and "V for Vendetta").
I'm not going to give you any more details and I don't want to ruin this for you, but it certainly is worth the time to watch these fine actors.
You can't pigeon-hole this show into one specific genre, don't even try. Just watch it, you won't be disappointed.
Is it intelligent to be vague?
themadcamel8 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Yet another show that has a great hook: Rancher finds hole in time on his land.
The plot unfolds slowly very slowly
8 solid hours of vague unessersry scenes happen that mean nothing or make little sense
Not a single character acts in any way that any regular human being would. People try to kill each other without any motive given.
Mixed with a few great scenes it eventually ends with a plot twist that I find hard to believe nobody would Have a scene Coming. So Blatantly Obvious From episode 3.
I think the writers believe that their vagueness makes them clever. It doesn't.
If you like slow-paced nonsensical mystery that leaves everything unanswered and unresolved, you'll love this show.
The plot unfolds slowly very slowly
8 solid hours of vague unessersry scenes happen that mean nothing or make little sense
Not a single character acts in any way that any regular human being would. People try to kill each other without any motive given.
Mixed with a few great scenes it eventually ends with a plot twist that I find hard to believe nobody would Have a scene Coming. So Blatantly Obvious From episode 3.
I think the writers believe that their vagueness makes them clever. It doesn't.
If you like slow-paced nonsensical mystery that leaves everything unanswered and unresolved, you'll love this show.
Pretty Good
Rob133128 May 2024
I finally got around to watching Outer Range this past week and have to say it's even better than I expected. I've been putting off watching it and then just forgot about it until I read season 2 was coming out so I finally started it. Like a lot others have pointed out already...it's a slow paced show but not in a bad way. It's definitely not for everyone. The writing and acting is so good that it holds your attention throughout the entire series and you look forward to the next episode as soon as you finish one. The story is about the Abbot family...Royal (Josh Brolin), his wife Cecilia (Lili Taylor) and their two sons Perry (Tom Pelfrey) and Rhett (Lewis Pullman). They're fighting to keep their land from multiple different people, the biggest being their neighbors the Tilersons (Will Patton, Shawn Sipos, Noah Reid, Matt Lauria & Deirdre O'Connell). One day Royal comes across a mysterious black hole on his property and from there the questions & twists start to pile up. The hole is actually a portal to travel in time. This show is smart, interesting and original. I'm already looking forward to season 3, I just hope we don't have to wait 2 years like we did for this season.
About to watch... * edit after watchinging a strong 7 so far. A lot of opportunities for unrelated genre of scifi and western. This is not Yellowstone.
MoistMovies15 April 2022
But when I see initial reviewers complaining about pacing issues.. I Have to wonder how bad their ADHD is.... supposedly I have that maledy... but I manage to not judge a first ep on pacing problems. In face when picking a new series to watch... that is far from a decider in the first ep... the 3rd to 5ht? Of a 10 ep series? Sure. Analyse pacing then... but writng, direction, editing, acting and many more things over shadow pacing if the series or film is trash from the get go.
I'll come back for a proper review after a couple eps since I've been waiting for this series to release ill give it the benefit of doubt.
I'll come back for a proper review after a couple eps since I've been waiting for this series to release ill give it the benefit of doubt.
Started out interesting...and then....
Otte16 May 2022
First episode catches your attention, maybe even the second. After that the series divulge into long monologues that do not go anywhere, lots of unnecessary singing(not making this up, one character sings complete songs each episode) and the whole lot of 'let's not solve this in 3 seconds by talking it out but stretch it over 4 episodes by not talking'. It is one thing to have some secrets for a big reveal, but everyone has secrets on many things without providing a valid reason outside of compensating for bad writing.
The movie has a good setup but instead comes off almost like a Dallas/Dynasty/Days of our Live soap opera. People friends one second, enemies next, no one or no building has ANY security. Episode 5 and 6 are could be completely removed and would have very little effect on the story. The only thing I give credit for is the acting which is done well by many of the actors but everything else is not good.
There is no one to root for or even care if they die or not.
Also...about 25% of the show runtime is dark....like so dark that you cannot see what is on the screen dark. Extremely irritating.
Started Season two and stopped halfway through the first episode. There was: 2 Overacting scenes 4 'I need to say something, but I can't, won't, or don't.
9, count them 9 times people are calling someone's name to get them to come back
You would think after what everyone has been through in Season One, that everybody would get in a room and say what they know....but no. Everyone keeping secrets.....because.
Interesting premise, but not much else is happening.
The movie has a good setup but instead comes off almost like a Dallas/Dynasty/Days of our Live soap opera. People friends one second, enemies next, no one or no building has ANY security. Episode 5 and 6 are could be completely removed and would have very little effect on the story. The only thing I give credit for is the acting which is done well by many of the actors but everything else is not good.
There is no one to root for or even care if they die or not.
Also...about 25% of the show runtime is dark....like so dark that you cannot see what is on the screen dark. Extremely irritating.
Started Season two and stopped halfway through the first episode. There was: 2 Overacting scenes 4 'I need to say something, but I can't, won't, or don't.
9, count them 9 times people are calling someone's name to get them to come back
You would think after what everyone has been through in Season One, that everybody would get in a room and say what they know....but no. Everyone keeping secrets.....because.
Interesting premise, but not much else is happening.
My need for the next episode is next level
starjosie15 April 2022
Sci fi mystery as a western got the blood moving. Brolin is an uber believable rancher caught up in some weird as hell other worldly oddness, kid problems, ranch problems, neighbor problems, moral problems, it's really a full plate. End of episode 2 was like...omg. Cannot wait for episode 3.
Outer Limits of poor reviews
youph016 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This is a.dark twisted display of Things don't appear as they seem.
You are as disoriented as the characters catch in the mysterious grip of a supernatural and unfathomable power of a Universe.
Definitely full of rabbit holes that revolve around a Dimensional black hole in the Earth which transports time and place past, present and possibly future. Where and when you have entered has not been revealed.
Even the vagabond camping girl who seemed so innocent has a past to the Range (or future as a spy but for whom?). She knew exactly what to do to Abbot (Josh) as if to challenge him. The time warp entity and Brolin's character has 200 years of experience with it since frontier times. The black hole seems to swallow up and spit out its victims as it can suspend them from aging and wipe away most of their memory like our fleeting dreams. It might even bring back the dead. Royal Abbot (Josh) uses his experience but won't tell its secrets to protect himself and hopes of protecting others. It isn't working out. A 15 second sequence shows an all powerful Government/Intelligence/Military/Scientific battalion is aware of Abbot and the bottomless black hole.
You are as disoriented as the characters catch in the mysterious grip of a supernatural and unfathomable power of a Universe.
Definitely full of rabbit holes that revolve around a Dimensional black hole in the Earth which transports time and place past, present and possibly future. Where and when you have entered has not been revealed.
Even the vagabond camping girl who seemed so innocent has a past to the Range (or future as a spy but for whom?). She knew exactly what to do to Abbot (Josh) as if to challenge him. The time warp entity and Brolin's character has 200 years of experience with it since frontier times. The black hole seems to swallow up and spit out its victims as it can suspend them from aging and wipe away most of their memory like our fleeting dreams. It might even bring back the dead. Royal Abbot (Josh) uses his experience but won't tell its secrets to protect himself and hopes of protecting others. It isn't working out. A 15 second sequence shows an all powerful Government/Intelligence/Military/Scientific battalion is aware of Abbot and the bottomless black hole.
Amazing first episode, takes a bit of a dip after that.
jester-4056416 April 2022
I absolutely loved the first episode. The whole episode had an air of tension running through out and due to there being two separate incidents that means it kept building until the great climactic final scene.
Apart from Brolin, highlight performances come from Imogen Poots, Tom Pelphrey and Lewis Pullman. Lewis as Rhett has a great screen presence and you just want to see more of his character. Imogen's character Autumn is a nice enigma and is also quite the scene stealer. Her highlight scenes of course being with Brolin.
Unfortunately it does take a slight dip with episode 2. From say a 10/10 to a 7/10. Sure it starts off great with Lili Taylor giving a strong performance and a tense kitchen scene . But as soon as it shifts to the Sheriff, that tension evaporates and it kind of spins it wheels for most of the ep.
Its whenever the Abbots or Autumn are on screen that are the highlights.
But overall episode 2 had some unnecessary scenes:
* Edit - Ep 3 was enjoyable and 4 was ok. But eps 5 & 6 were pretty awful. I find it amazing that the show has got so bad so quickly. Its like those silly movie writers who save the good stuff for a possible sequel - yeah well, you might not get one at this stage. Make your show engaging instead.
Apart from Brolin, highlight performances come from Imogen Poots, Tom Pelphrey and Lewis Pullman. Lewis as Rhett has a great screen presence and you just want to see more of his character. Imogen's character Autumn is a nice enigma and is also quite the scene stealer. Her highlight scenes of course being with Brolin.
Unfortunately it does take a slight dip with episode 2. From say a 10/10 to a 7/10. Sure it starts off great with Lili Taylor giving a strong performance and a tense kitchen scene . But as soon as it shifts to the Sheriff, that tension evaporates and it kind of spins it wheels for most of the ep.
Its whenever the Abbots or Autumn are on screen that are the highlights.
But overall episode 2 had some unnecessary scenes:
- First up, the sheriff (or rather writers) constantly telling us she's gay. Yawn. First, once was enough, we get it. Secondly, its 2022, no one cares who you sleep with. Stop telling everyone every 5 minutes, this isn't twitter.
- Noah Reid as Billy. The singing underwear scene was just weird. That, mixed with his creepiness towards the little girl earlier in the ep started making me think he's one of those weird tiktok teachers (you all know what I mean).
- Lastly, the final scene didn't have the same punch as the ep 1 finale. It felt rushed and out of place. Just for the sake of another cliffhanger.
* Edit - Ep 3 was enjoyable and 4 was ok. But eps 5 & 6 were pretty awful. I find it amazing that the show has got so bad so quickly. Its like those silly movie writers who save the good stuff for a possible sequel - yeah well, you might not get one at this stage. Make your show engaging instead.
So far, one of the best and most refreshing scifi tv of recent years.
Alcaminhante2 May 2022
Great slow moody pace which of course infuriates all hollywood blockbuster fans, really intringuing storyline and somehow a cross between something like the german Dark on netflix, the x files, twilight zone and a touch of twin peaks.
Im on episode five and so far its great. If you like good scifi mysteries that dont seem scifi at first glance and you are not in a hurry to see marvel comics action stuff , this might be a good show for you. Great cast but Brolin as usual dominates the screen. Will Patton once again excellent too.
I hope it does not get cancelled before it resolves the mystery because im sure all popcorn movie goers are absolutely hating this excellent scifi with a cool indie feel.
If 2001 is more your thing than the latest marvel popcorn give Outer Range a go.
Im on episode five and so far its great. If you like good scifi mysteries that dont seem scifi at first glance and you are not in a hurry to see marvel comics action stuff , this might be a good show for you. Great cast but Brolin as usual dominates the screen. Will Patton once again excellent too.
I hope it does not get cancelled before it resolves the mystery because im sure all popcorn movie goers are absolutely hating this excellent scifi with a cool indie feel.
If 2001 is more your thing than the latest marvel popcorn give Outer Range a go.
Piqued my interest, two episodes in.
secretstory16 April 2022
Am curious to see where this will take me.
Simple fix for darker scenes: learn about contrast, brightness, sharpness, etc. On your tv.
Don't like tighty-whities, and men with no shirts?
I'm sure you have seen PLENTY of females, of all ages, in their bras and underwear throughout your tv watching years. Commercials included. Moreso than men undressed. Now that's a FACT.
Good to see the beautiful scenery shown so far. Can put myself right there riding and herding cattle. The hole, not so sure about but it's piqued my interest, two episodes in.
Hope it doesn't drop the ball. We need fully developed and written stories more than ever. Ones that may keep us off our handheld devices for more than five minutes. {wink}
Simple fix for darker scenes: learn about contrast, brightness, sharpness, etc. On your tv.
Don't like tighty-whities, and men with no shirts?
I'm sure you have seen PLENTY of females, of all ages, in their bras and underwear throughout your tv watching years. Commercials included. Moreso than men undressed. Now that's a FACT.
Good to see the beautiful scenery shown so far. Can put myself right there riding and herding cattle. The hole, not so sure about but it's piqued my interest, two episodes in.
Hope it doesn't drop the ball. We need fully developed and written stories more than ever. Ones that may keep us off our handheld devices for more than five minutes. {wink}
SNOOZE AND YOU DEFINITELY LOSE!!!
Sunsphxsuns1 May 2022
Why is it that the "slow burn" series seem to automatically, almost magnetically, attract an immediate handful of bad reviews? Mistaken identity or just impatience? Or perhaps, a little of each? Showing some patience will be amply rewarded. It's a "slow burn," which allows the plot to unfold naturally.
There is a quote in the series where the main character, Royal (Josh Brolin) says to the town Sheriff, "Do you ever wonder if the world is not what you think it is?" That single line of dialogue aptly describes the eerie theme of Outer Range. What we think is not always what is real.
Anyone who enjoys Science Fiction is going to wildly appreciate this series. The science fiction element on its own was already powerful, but introducing the possibility of time travel takes the dramatic plot well over the top, or more elegantly, it becomes "sauce for the goose."
I won't get into specifics, but I will say if you're patient, enjoy plot twists, subtle dialog, and slick writing, you're going to crave seeing each new episode as it unfolds each week. (Honestly, I'd binge this series if that option was available, but it isn't, darn it!).
No spoilers here as usual, but I can reveal that there may be a few subtle "Easter eggs" planted throughout the series. For example, in episode 3, the town's theater marquee advertises the 1970 film, "The Phantom Tollbooth." This is likely a clever nod to the main theme of time travel.
There is a quote in the series where the main character, Royal (Josh Brolin) says to the town Sheriff, "Do you ever wonder if the world is not what you think it is?" That single line of dialogue aptly describes the eerie theme of Outer Range. What we think is not always what is real.
Anyone who enjoys Science Fiction is going to wildly appreciate this series. The science fiction element on its own was already powerful, but introducing the possibility of time travel takes the dramatic plot well over the top, or more elegantly, it becomes "sauce for the goose."
I won't get into specifics, but I will say if you're patient, enjoy plot twists, subtle dialog, and slick writing, you're going to crave seeing each new episode as it unfolds each week. (Honestly, I'd binge this series if that option was available, but it isn't, darn it!).
No spoilers here as usual, but I can reveal that there may be a few subtle "Easter eggs" planted throughout the series. For example, in episode 3, the town's theater marquee advertises the 1970 film, "The Phantom Tollbooth." This is likely a clever nod to the main theme of time travel.
Good Western/Sci-Fi Mashup
Hughmanity21 May 2023
Definitely an interesting story that held my attention even though it is slow paced. The characterization built up during that pace is excellent and Josh Brolin leads an excellent cast of actors as they bring his family, friends and foes to life.
I would have liked a few more answers by the end of season 1 regarding the sci-fi aspect of the show. The plot 'twists' that we got at the end seemed fairly apparent for much of the show and weren't really surprises, which left me wanting for something more.
It seems like this show could go one of two ways from here. Either it continues to get more compelling as more things are explained and Royal/Cecilia fight to put their family back together, or it keeps getting weirder without adequate explanations and falls apart. I'm willing to give season 2 a shot to see but it needs to make some progress in short order.
I would have liked a few more answers by the end of season 1 regarding the sci-fi aspect of the show. The plot 'twists' that we got at the end seemed fairly apparent for much of the show and weren't really surprises, which left me wanting for something more.
It seems like this show could go one of two ways from here. Either it continues to get more compelling as more things are explained and Royal/Cecilia fight to put their family back together, or it keeps getting weirder without adequate explanations and falls apart. I'm willing to give season 2 a shot to see but it needs to make some progress in short order.
WOW! Then turns into soap opera
NinaCu17 April 2022
Eposodes 1 & 2 are -- what happened when Longmire, Twin Peaks, and X-Files walked into a bar...
Then it changed into Dallas, 1980's. Early eposodes are essentially "who shot J. R."
Eposodes 1 & 2 -- I thought that comic-book infected greeny-wood could no longer make something this original, creative, and competently made with minimal CGI gimmicks. The slower TV pace holds up well, and it was smart to release Outer Range episodes in pairs.
Brian Watkins brings something special to the small screen. See his bio at heroesandvillains-ent. Josh Brolin makes Kevin Costner look like a city slicker. The score is somewhat reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti.
After initial 2 episodes -- you get 60 seconds of sci-fi, and. 60 minutes of mellodramatic soap opera.
Josh Brolin still carries a HUGE presence on the small screen. But that's just not quite enough to overcome operatic writing, and keep me watching. In contrast, I watched every episode of Longmire.
Then it changed into Dallas, 1980's. Early eposodes are essentially "who shot J. R."
Eposodes 1 & 2 -- I thought that comic-book infected greeny-wood could no longer make something this original, creative, and competently made with minimal CGI gimmicks. The slower TV pace holds up well, and it was smart to release Outer Range episodes in pairs.
Brian Watkins brings something special to the small screen. See his bio at heroesandvillains-ent. Josh Brolin makes Kevin Costner look like a city slicker. The score is somewhat reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti.
After initial 2 episodes -- you get 60 seconds of sci-fi, and. 60 minutes of mellodramatic soap opera.
Josh Brolin still carries a HUGE presence on the small screen. But that's just not quite enough to overcome operatic writing, and keep me watching. In contrast, I watched every episode of Longmire.
This is binge watching of value !
tnlb-5801725 May 2024
This series is on top of my list! I was super excited when season 2 was available on Prime in the uk a few days back. Having said that, feel like season 2 has to truly prove itself in season 3 (assuming there will be one). A lot of season 2 seams to be about 'what will happen next'? I agree with the comments suggesting a bit too much back and forth. But all of this may make sense if season 3.....delivers. Will there be a season 3? As I am writing these comments, I have no idea if we can expect season 3, but certainly hope so. Sci-Fy of this calibre should be produced more often. And with a character selection/actors as good as this one !
Must have been greenlit based on the first 2 episodes. Off the rails after that.
gapatrick-304553 May 2022
I loved the first two, slow burn, not knowing what's happening style of sci-fi/supernatural intrigue. The second episode ended with a great cliffhanger that promised a lot of enjoyably confusing revelations to come.
But then what happened? It turned into a western soap opera and (pretty boring) murder investigation. There should have been a lot *more* about the hole and disappearing mountains and alternate timelines, not a lot *less*. Did the writers somehow have to scramble to write episodes 3 and on?
Another problem is the characters. Who am I supposed to like? Who do I root for? Pretty much everyone becomes an a-hole. The camping woman, Autumn, started out as interesting and mysterious but becomes just plain annoying. The older, constantly brooding brother seems miscast. He looks almost as old as his father. The evil neighbour is a too over the top.
Anyway I'd say the first two episodes were a 8.5/10, the next two a 7, and the two after that a 5. Obviously it's not a 1 or 2 overall (I mean a 1 is essentially "worst show of all time"), so ignore those reviews as they are mainly from bigots and racists and the easily triggered right wingers. But the show definitely going downhill fast. If the last two episodes coming this week somehow regain the novelty and feel of the first two, I'll look forward to a second season. Otherwise I hope it wraps up and is done.
A show that did this kind of theme much, much better is Dark on Netflix (watch it with original audio and English subtitles).
But then what happened? It turned into a western soap opera and (pretty boring) murder investigation. There should have been a lot *more* about the hole and disappearing mountains and alternate timelines, not a lot *less*. Did the writers somehow have to scramble to write episodes 3 and on?
Another problem is the characters. Who am I supposed to like? Who do I root for? Pretty much everyone becomes an a-hole. The camping woman, Autumn, started out as interesting and mysterious but becomes just plain annoying. The older, constantly brooding brother seems miscast. He looks almost as old as his father. The evil neighbour is a too over the top.
Anyway I'd say the first two episodes were a 8.5/10, the next two a 7, and the two after that a 5. Obviously it's not a 1 or 2 overall (I mean a 1 is essentially "worst show of all time"), so ignore those reviews as they are mainly from bigots and racists and the easily triggered right wingers. But the show definitely going downhill fast. If the last two episodes coming this week somehow regain the novelty and feel of the first two, I'll look forward to a second season. Otherwise I hope it wraps up and is done.
A show that did this kind of theme much, much better is Dark on Netflix (watch it with original audio and English subtitles).
A long slog with a poor return on investment
qui_j6 May 2022
This series manages to pull you in with the promise that the payoff will be huge, only it isn't! It's as if the script were written by writers who were high on acid or mushrooms. The scenes are all disconnected, and events occur with little or no context or explanation. It's just bad.....and a total waste of time!
Don't let this die young
djjqvnj18 May 2024
For the love of God if people don't stop coming on here to give a low review because the show isn't like Yellowstone.
I need to see what direction they are going to take this show. I am deeply engaged in this storyline and if a truly original show with so many places it can go ends up getting cancelled early because people don't like having to think and guess at what could be going on, I am going to lose my mind.
If you want to watch fake cowboy soap operas you can find them other places.
If you'd like to engage your mind and follow the intrigue and unravel the mystery that is time and existence alongside the cool as hell scenery of Wyoming and the great cast this show has then watch this show and recommend it to other people, and leave some good reviews.
We need to reward studios for making thought provoking original shows.
Don't let us slide further into the shallow content dystopia.
I need to see what direction they are going to take this show. I am deeply engaged in this storyline and if a truly original show with so many places it can go ends up getting cancelled early because people don't like having to think and guess at what could be going on, I am going to lose my mind.
If you want to watch fake cowboy soap operas you can find them other places.
If you'd like to engage your mind and follow the intrigue and unravel the mystery that is time and existence alongside the cool as hell scenery of Wyoming and the great cast this show has then watch this show and recommend it to other people, and leave some good reviews.
We need to reward studios for making thought provoking original shows.
Don't let us slide further into the shallow content dystopia.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
