‘The Outlaws’ Recap: ‘Season 3, Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Stephen Merchant, Clare Perkins, Jessica Gunning, Gamba Cole, and Darren Boyd as Gregory Dillard, Myrna Okeke, Diane Pemberly, Ben Eastfield, and John Halloran in Season 3 of ‘The Outlaws’. (Photo Courtesy of Alistair Heap/BBC Worldwide Americas/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘The Outlaws’. To revisit the Season Two Finale, click here.

Truly, one of the most refreshing and original shows to hit the airwaves in recent years, has been The Outlaws on Prime Video. Simply because this series, offers up a plot unlike any other. Wherein we the audience are able to see how everyday folks handle being caught for criminal acts, for that really has not been explored in the world of storytelling, in this manner, to date, and that’s brought about… amazing plotlines, incredible laughs and grand stakes for these Outlaws. The kind that saw them come together to bring down a drug kingpin to escape their own deep entry into the criminal world, and for their incredible efforts, season two ended on a high note. One that made it seem as though the Outlaws were indeed free, and that this story had come to its close.   
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But the fact of the matter is, this series is so refreshing and so much fun, that that was not the appropriate place to end the story. We needed more, we needed to see this group together again so they could work their special brand of collective magic, and it just so happens… the powers that be agreed and commissioned a third season. One that debuted on Prime Video over the weekend and wasted little time in informing us… that the Outlaws were on the precipice of a fresh start. For a few of them still had a few more hours to burn off to complete their community service sentence, and when we caught up with them here, they were indeed continuing their work alongside Diane, while working to just live their lives and enter those new chapters.

Which for Myrna, involved getting back into activism and possibly falling in love with an old beau. For John, that meant stepping into new business ventures to put food on the table, and for Gregory, that meant growing his practice and growing his love… while dealing with quite the free spirit roommate in Gabby, the only member of the gang who completed her service. And of course, Ben, was doing his best to rebuild his life, through his business and through the new relationship he was starting. And even the police were making efforts to move on with the Dean behind bars and that truly made it seem as though season three of this show was going to be about how people come back from making mistakes.

But alas, that just wasn’t the case. After all, there was one other member of the Outlaws not present, since Rani faded into the world after the season two finale, since she was eager to just live life without rules surrounding her and well… it turned out that her decision to do so, backfired horribly. Because it put her in a tough place. One where she came to learn that the Dean knew how he went to jail and was ready to strike back and that somehow led to Rani being in possession of a dead body, and well, all those revelations meant… she needed the help of her friends. Which brought her back into the fold and back into their lives, for better or worse… mostly worse. For now, the Outlaws must contend with being accessories once again and of course… the Dean looms large once more.

All of which made for a magnificent season premiere. One that kept in line with what this show stands for, which is delightful and original storytelling. The kind grounded in surprise and quality character moments and that made for a delightful watch that deserves a round of applause. For taking the time to explore those early days of what comes next for the Outlaws, since we don’t talk about those baby steps as one forges their new life post mistakes, and for finding a masterful way to bring Rani and the Dean back into the fold, and for setting the stage for possible redemption for Rani. Since she is the only member of the group without it, and that… compels us to continue the journey. To see what amazing moments of growth, await us as season three of magnificent series rolls along. Until next time.

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