‘The Outlaws’ Recap: ‘Season 2, Episode 6’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two finale of ‘The Outlaws’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of stories that explore a transformative event in life that is supremely fascinating… is how quickly they come to a close. Because so many of them, fade to black or declare ‘the end’ when the character has reached the conclusion of their long and winding emotional journey. Granted, it makes sense as to why, after all, we signed up for said journey and when the main character has learned what they need to, lingering on could potentially distract or bore the audience. But the fact of the matter is, that is a wrong way to look at how to close these stories out. Because a truly satisfying ending to the journey, would be to show us how they apply the lessons they learned and how they grow, so that we see the complete picture and have an understanding of what lies ahead for those characters. 
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Because that’s supremely realistic in nature and of course, would mix up the formula of such stories and it just so happens, that a season finale of a magnificent and revolutionary series… opted to do just that. For the season two finale of The Outlaws gave us more than that drop off ending, it plunged us into the very depths of what comes next for a group of Outlaws that faced all kinds of challenges and truths during their community service… right after it did indeed give us what we wanted. Such as having the Dean finally pay the piper. An act that came together, courtesy of one last grift from Frank, wherein he got the Dean to believe that he had the best cocaine on planet Earth, so his fellow Outlaws could lift the cash and flip the kilos he dropped on Rani and Ben, back on him. All so the police could bust him with a trunk full of it. But once that was done, and the Outlaws saw the community center re-open… they moved into the next phase of their lives and used their down time to reflect on their experiences and the lessons they taught them, so they could apply them and grow.

For instance, Myrna learned that her drug of choice has always been control, as though that will somehow heal her mistakes. But also, that letting go of that need and acknowledging her accomplishments throughout the years… would instead do her wonders and it certainly did. For shortly after she stepped away from her work, and let go, and let a new generation take over… she found peace and agency and can spend her days now… living in calm. As for John well he finally came to realize that he has felt powerless for some time now, and that the only way he could ever feel in control again was to do something bold, such as sue his father and teach him a valuable lesson in doing business. And even Lady Gabby came to realize, that this experience was indeed her rock bottom and that she wasn’t happy and needed to make positive and healthy changes to her life, and the good times didn’t end there. Since Greg finally figured out that he needed to worry less about how to find his place in the world, and to just go out and find it… and that gave him newfound strength and a new love and even Diane grew from this experience, by completing her junior officer training.

But not all of the lessons learned here led to happy and wonderful endings. For Frank had to be honest with his daughter about everything at last and once the deal was done, he was exiled by his daughter. Simply because she couldn’t deal with the grift anymore, and in one last and final and beautiful act to try and show her that he loved her… he made it seem as though he was the jerk, and this was his call before heading off into the unknown. As for Rani and Ben… well they too didn’t quite enjoy the perfect ending. For Ben was left heartbroken when Rani decided to end it. Not because she didn’t love him, she most certainly did. But she came to understand that this experience taught her that she needed to live a little and enjoy the thrill of the darker side of the world. Because all she had ever known was being prim and proper and well… while that may have led to a sour ending for the passionate relationship, she enjoyed with Ben… this led to some happiness for Rani since she finally was off to experience life in every way imaginable.

If anything, this was just… a brilliant end to a brilliant story. One that covered so many concepts, such as how we need to look at criminals as people over anything else, and how tough times and surprises can bring out the best in us, and of course… the lessons presented here were thoughtful and powerful and oddly applicable to so many of us. But what matters more is that this story went beyond the basics and really showed us a dynamic and realistic end to this journey. But what is truly fascinating about this finale, is that… it also feels akin to a series finale. For so many of them moved on with their lives with their community service concluded, leaving one to wonder if by chance… this is the end of this saga or if there is more to tell and if not, well then what a great ending to a refreshing and original story. One that offered up a unique plot and solid comedy and a fine reminder… that we do get to come back and find a way forward or reinvent ourselves if we make grand mistakes in our lives.

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