'Outer Range' Episode 2 Review: The Tillersons create trouble for Royal, Autumn picks his brain
'Outer Range' starts as a rather straightforward tale about a rancher trying to protect his family and his property, facing the challenges they both pose. It, eventually, also becomes a sci-fi story, as a mysterious void is discovered on his property. Episode 2 probes both angles, as we see Royal Abbott meet the head of the neighboring ranch to bring the ongoing dispute to an end while the void's mysterious nature begins to be revealed.
Titled 'The Land', Episode 2 of 'Outer Range' begins with the Tillersons looking for their younger brother who disappeared towards the end of the previous episode. They also seem to bribe the Acting Sheriff into taking quick action, promising her their support in the upcoming Sheriff elections. Royal's wife, Cecilia, finds out about the encroachment notice from Episode 1 and is assured by Royal that he'll talk their neighbor into backing out.
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Royal consults his lawyer first, who discloses that the claim for the Tillersons' end comes from a recent rectification that altered the existing cartography of the region in Wyoming, effectively making the Abbotts look like encroachers. Royal is informed that he will have to hand over 600 acres of his property on the Western front to the Tillersons or he will be sued. Royal heads over to the Tillerson Ranch to meet Wayne, the patriarch and head of the clan, who turns down his compensatory offer, declaring his lust for possessions.
We also see Autumn open up about the reason behind her arrival on the Abbott ranch, as she simultaneously picks Royal's brain, who has had a very close encounter with the void. 'The Land' ends with Royal sharing his experiences, which also seem to have an eery connection with things that happened on the other side.
Episode 2 of 'Outer Range' follows the same pattern as the previous outing but picks up pace towards its closing moments. With quite a bit of fervor, 'The Land' leaves us wanting to know more as the void's nature is exposed but not in its entirety. Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, it ups the ante when it comes to intensity and suspense while trying not to meander or marinate on any single aspect for longer than required. The background score, by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, is surprisingly different for a series that is turning out to be a sci-fi thriller, as it rarely jarring.
The first two episodes of 'Outer Range' are available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video