‘Outer Range’ Recap: ‘One Night in Wabang’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Josh Brolin as Royal Abbot in Episode 201 of ‘Outer Range’ – ‘One Night in Wabang’. (Photo Courtesy of Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Outer Range’.
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In storytelling, especially when it comes to television, seasons that feature a grandiose ending with mysteries surrounding everything, usually take a very specific path forward. Once the dust settles that is. In that, the mystery comes to resolution and new chapters await all involved. Because at its core, television is escapist programing. The kind where, people get all the answers to the questions we seek and move on quickly and grow just as quick. Which in turn gives us hope that we too can turn around our problems quickly because in reality… nothing ever quite goes as it does on television. For life is messy, answers elude us, and new chapters take time and that’s why… Outer Range on Prime Video is of note.

For this particular series, makes a point to examine a great deal of concepts in a manner that is both fantastical and realistic. Which seems like quite the contradiction, but where else can you find a show about a powerful black hole that moves people through time, all while people deal with worries and struggles that are supremely relatable and never was that more evident than during the season two premiere of the show. For in the wake of the stampede that ended season one, there was no resolution, no immediate new chapters. Just… life. Which in some instances, took place in another time. For Joy found herself back in time where this land was all Shoshone, and that made her adventure in ‘One Night in Wabang’ quite fantastical. Since she had to fend off attackers and make use of the Shoshone language to survive another day. 

Which was quite wild to say the least, especially since this episode featured so many moments grounded in the reality of our lives. After all, this was a story that focused heavily on the state of the Abbott family. Since Rhett was on the road in this story with Maria at his side, where they were just trying to figure out their next steps smoothly and of course, Royal and Cece were in emotional tatters in this story. After all, Royal was now convinced that Autumn… was Amy… which was why he rescued her and helped her to heal. Because he truly thought this was a chance to mend and help her discover her true identity. Because of how rattled he was by Amy’s disappearance, which Cece thought she could solve. But alas, she did not and only ended up chasing ghosts. But that was indeed quite the realistic set of moments since that oozed of the panic and assumptions we make when we want something badly, and those two elements would have been enough to carry this tale.

But it had so much more to offer. Since it also featured, some wild moments with the Tillerson boys. Because just like that, ol’ Wayne was up and about again. Something possibly related to Billy’s actions, who… was in rough shape here. For he survived the stampede but was badly mangled and that left his family just twisting in the wind without any idea of what was to come. Which was also a fine mix of fantastical and realistic, and there was indeed… still more. Because in the past, a very young Royal and Cece ran into someone earlier in life than expected. For Percy found them at the ranch and interacted with them, leaving us to wonder what his plan is and of course… Royal was kind enough in present day to explain to Cece that he is a bit longer in the tooth than she might have ever known, and that the hole brought him here for reasons that he never quite understood.

All of which gave rise, to one epic premiere. One that truly did embody that anthesis to serialized storytelling. Because nothing was resolved from season one, and anything that appeared to be… was tenuous at best. But that… is very much like life and very much how we function, and it was refreshing to find that here. Plus, the fantastical was quite impressive as well. Since there were some strange happenings with time and space here, the kind that made for amazing visuals and amazing moments. If anything, all of these elements have us ready to enjoy more of this tale. Because now we need to see where all the little twists and turns are going to go, and we want to relish in answers and moments that take our breath away, and it will be interesting to see what other trope-busting surprises await us, as our journey through season two of this refreshing series continues along. Until next time.

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