Outer Range Season 2 Review: Prime Video's Twisty Sci-Fi Goes Deeper Down The Rabbit Hole

Summary Outer Range season 2 continues the complex patchwork of stories, characters, and conspiracies from season 1.

The show's multiple timelines can make it hard for viewers to invest deeply in characters' stories.

The introduction of new mysteries and ambiguous resolutions adds to the show's intriguing yet sometimes frustrating nature.

Just like the show's debut, Outer Range season 2 is a complex patchwork of stories, timelines, characters, and conspiracies. In this sense, season 2 is a worthy follow-up to season 1, one that simultaneously stays true to the original while streamlining some of the series' more ponderous elements. However, by virtue of expanding a story that was already fairly difficult to follow, Outer Range has become even more convoluted in its sophomore season – albeit through a story that is never dull.

Created for Amazon Prime Video, Outer Range is a Sci-Fi and Western television series that began in 2022. The series was created by Brian Watkins and stars both Imogen Poots and Josh Brolin. The premise sees a Wyoming rancher trying to care for his farm and keep his land safe when a strange void shows up in one of his pastures. Pros Outer Range remains ambitious in season 2

There are steps taken to answer the show's mysteries

The series' cast is still incredible, delivering great moments Cons Season 2's story has too much going on

The layered plot is sometimes too complex for its own good

Outer Range's Twisted Story Continues Season 1's Trend

Too many plot threads leave little room for investment

Image via Prime Video

Picking up directly after Outer Range season 1's dramatic finale, the story reloads with breakneck speed. Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) is still trying to figure out how to explain his time-traveling past to his increasingly frustrated wife, while also grappling with the revelation that Autumn may well be his granddaughter Amy. Meanwhile, Cecilia frantically searches for her granddaughter following an unexpected abduction by Rebecca, Rhett has second thoughts about his elopement, Luke Tillerson is traumatized by his own encounter with the void, and the town is stricken by the aftermath of a buffalo stampede. It's as disorientating as plunging face-first through a wormhole.

It's difficult to become too invested in characters when their stories are picked up and dropped in order to address a previous tangent.

In many ways, the problems with Outer Range season 2 repeat the issues with season 1. The show's multiple timelines provide plenty of opportunities for mystery, but it's difficult to become too invested in characters when their stories are picked up and dropped in order to address a previous tangent. While having characters already established certainly helps season 2's pacing, this is counteracted by the introduction of multiple new timelines, including a trip to the 19th century with Sheriff Joy. Unless the viewer is completely literate in the Outer Range season 1 story, the effect will be a bit perplexing.

Outer Range Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Shaun Sipos , Lewis Pullman , Isabel Arraiza , Imogen Poots , Tom Pelphrey , Noah Reid , Lili Taylor , Tamara Podemski , Olive Abercrombie , Josh Brolin Release Date April 15, 2022 Seasons 1 Network Amazon Prime Video Streaming Service(s) Amazon Prime Video

Outer Range Season 2 Delivers On Story

But it isn't without certain caveats

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Fans of the first installment will be pleased to know that many of their most pressing questions will be answered. However, just as Outer Range gives with one hand, it takes with the other, establishing a whole new set of mysteries that often don't receive a satisfying resolution. Part of the show's strength is its unapologetic ambiguity. But with such a plethora of plotlines, settings, and head-scratching concepts, it's inevitable that the show sets out to create cliffhangers that don't always have a neat ending.

As before, the Outer Range cast is ably led by Josh Brolin, who remains a picture of grizzled exasperation as he tries to wrap his head around all the mysterious goings-on affecting his family and his land. Brolin is skillfully supported by Imogen Poots as Autumn, whose character has become much more nuanced and complex following the revelation that she may be a member of the Abbott family. Other cast members, such as Lewis Pullman and Tom Pelphrey, playing a heartbroken Perry Abbott in another timeframe, add emotional depth but sometimes feel short-changed by the story's sprawling scope.

...the fact that Outer Range is moving away from more cerebral territory and towards something more empirical makes it easier to forgive other flights of mysterious fancy.

One aspect that helps Outer Range season 2 feel more grounded is an obvious attempt to address the mystery of what the void on the Abbotts' land actually is. While season 1 left this question deliberately open-ended, a key season 2 story sees Yrsa Daley-Ward's Dr. Nia Bintu attempt to grapple with a quantifiable scientific explanation for what's going on. Unfortunately, the answers aren't as definitive and clear-cut as one might hope. Nevertheless, the fact that Outer Range is moving away from more cerebral territory and towards something more empirical makes it easier to forgive other flights of mysterious fancy.

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Because Outer Range season 2 boasts so many stories, it's almost inevitable that some plots work better than others. However, despite some flaws, this remains one of the most ambitious shows on TV, taking real risks with a story that demands viewer engagement. Whether everyone will have the requisite patience remains to be seen. However, for those committed and willing not to interrogate the logic too intensely, Outer Range season 2 is an enjoyable second helping.