‘Outer Range’ Recap: ‘Traces to Somewhere’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Lili Taylor and Josh Brolin as Cecilia Abbott and Royal Abbott in Episode 202 of ‘Outer Range’ – ‘Traces to Somewhere’. (Photo Courtesy of Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Outer Range’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
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If there’s one particular practice that television shows take part in, it’s streamlining plotlines. Because the rule goes that stories should flow as smoothly as a calm river and take the audience on a powerful ride in doing so, and this rule has served the business quite well for a long time. Because it has given us plenty of smooth stories that captivate and engage and leave us satisfied at the end. Which is why the Prime Video series, Outer Range, continues to fascinate. Simply because it does not and will not abide by that rule. For this is a non-linear tale that enjoys exploring all kinds of concepts and ideas in a single episode and never was that more evident than in its next tale.
 
For ‘Traces to Somewhere’ featured a bevy of powerhouse storylines for the audience to enjoy. The kind that didn’t convolute the story or detract from it, it just made for a white-water rafting trip over that smooth as glass river. For instance, this is a story that was mired in deep emotion. Primarily from Cecilia in this tale since she was still hellbent on finding Amy and pushed hard to get some kind of answers from every possible arena. A move that spoke volumes to a mother’s love and her need for resolution in such matters, and we saw that love in the Tillerson household as well since no one would leave Billy’s side in the hospital because of how badly they wanted to see him healed.
 
All of which was moving and powerful, and that was mixed in… with some traditional writing. Since Billy did awaken and that prompted more fight from the Tillerson family since they wanted Abbott blood to be spilled as revenge for well, nothing, they’re just that emotional. Not to mention, Royal set the stage for a grand fight for his land. Since he came to discover that the good doctor at the university had been poking about his land, without his permission of course. All because she discovered the traces of the portal were present in the soil and well… Royal knew darn well that curiosity would prompt more people to be present on his land and prompt a new battle to seize it for science and he could not have that and left quite the warning to say the least. 
 
Plus, this is also a story that followed Percy’s emotional journey deeply. For he truly seems hellbent on understanding his family and understanding his father and that pushed him to not only keep showing up in his father’s presence in the past, but to outright reveal what he knew. To cut through dad’s nonsense and get down to business. Which allowed for him to see life in the past, up close and personal, complete with all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. Giving him unique perspective that none of us would ever have about our folks and it spoke deeply to how badly Percy wants to know his father on a fundamental level, a quest that is relatable for so many since fathers aren’t exactly known for being open in this life. 
 
All of which made for an epic episode, that still had more to offer us. Since Rhett’s plans to leave are seemingly spoiled by the revelation that Amy has gone missing, and Joy… came to learn a lot about Royal in the past and more about her situation and well… that’s quite the hour of television to enjoy. Because it was unconventional, and jam-packed and simply took us for one massive ride from a plot perspective and well, this writer loved it. Because it is indeed refreshing to enjoy a show that throws caution to the wind and is eager to try new things with storytelling. Especially at a time when all are crying out for originality, and it doesn’t get more original and bolder than this, and it truly leaves one eager to see what lies ahead as season two of this complex and compelling show continues along. Until next time.

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