“Do you know about the Greek God, Kronos?” It’s a recurring question in the first episode of Outer Range, Amazon Prime’s sci-fi, time-bending answer to Paramount’s Yellowstone. Though Yellowstone takes place in Montana and Outer Range in Wyoming, the wide openness of nature and ranches are strikingly similar. Both also benefit from the drama of interfamilial conflict, turf wars, and the stern defense of cultural values. But just as much as Yellowstone excels at crafting gripping drama, so does Outer Range excel at drumming up a suspense-filled, sci-fi story; one that is sure to leave audiences at the end of each episode pining to know more about what exactly is going on.

Outer Range centers around the Abbott family, who is struggling to financially maintain the ranch they live on that’s been in the family for generations. But, as the head neighboring Tillerman head of household, Wayne, implies in episode one, something inexplicable is stirring on the land. And as everyone deals with their own set of conflicts - including an unexpected inciting event in episode one that threatens the wellbeing of the Abbott family - a giant, bottomless hole discovered by series lead Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin, True Grit) introduces time-shifting capabilities and consequences that could reshape the world as these characters know it.

Featuring a name brand cast perfectly form-fitted for this series, these first two episodes of Outer Range, titled ‘The Void’ and ‘The Land’ respectively, lay the groundwork for what many will find to be an enthralling mystery, where each character weaves an integral thread in the tapestry of this narrative. Royal plays the head of the Abbott household, sometimes to a fault, always acting with the best of intentions for the welfare of his family, but often having to deal with the unintended repercussions of his choices and secrecy. Cecilia (Lili Taylor, American Crime) is Royal’s strong-willed yet supportive wife - a necessary voice of reason for Royal. Then there’s their adult kids, who each have their own struggles - Rhett (Lewis Pullman, Bad Times At The El Royale), a talented professional bull rider, dreams of getting away from the family ranch while Perry (Tom Pelphrey, Ozark) is emotionally crippled by the sudden disappearance of his wife. And of course, there’s the youngest member of the Abbott family, Perry’s young daughter, Amy (Olive Abercrombie).

Other characters who are heavily embeded into the fold of the Outer Range story includes Wayne Tillerman (Will Patton, ironically also starring in Yellowstone) and his own adult sons, Trevor (Matt Lauria, Parenthood), Luke (Shaun Sipos, The Vampire Diaries), and Billy (Noah Reid, Schitt’s Creek). There’s the town deputy sheriff, Joy (Tamara Podemski, Coroner), a gay indigenous woman making an unprecedented run for Sheiff. Rhett’s long time love interest Maria (Isabel Arraiza, The Oath). And - oddest of them all - the unbeknownst stranger who wanders onto the Abbott ranch, Autumn (Imogen Poots, The Art Of Self Defense, Castle In The Ground).

With all of these characters and each of their motivations in play, ‘The Void’ and ‘The Land’ are not short on drama nor are they wasteful of the time they have to lay the foundation of this story. These episodes - lavished, by the way, with all-in performances from the entire aforementioned cast - present question after question about how all of these characters are going to handle their conflicts, and - more importantly - what the implications of those actions and decisions are on the greater narrative.

To set the proper tone for the show, Outer Range enlists a leery, ominous score from composing duo Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, who score other TV shows like Ozark, Fear The Walking Dead, and another Prime Original show coming out soon, Night Sky. So not only does the narrative lead to alluring twists and plot points, but the tension that lingers over each scene is aptly upheld by the sinister sounding score.

The cast, the premise, the score, the mystery…it all comes together to create something viewers may likely find very special in Outer Range. In an encounter between Amy and Autumn in ‘The Land’, Amy asks, “why are you here?” and Autumn replies, “I don’t know. But I know I’m supposed to be here.” Such will also be true for the audience. Of all the streaming services we could be surfing and of all the other entertainment we could be indulging, why are you here, watching Outer Range? Because you should be here; because something about this entices you to be here. Each week. With these characters. Piecing together the mystery and trying to figure out what it all means alongside them.

It is apparent in ‘The Void’ and ‘The Land’ that Outer Range as a show has a lot of ground to cover, and it's easy to wonder whether a show generating so many questions can offer satisfying answers. I certainly wondered that. But living in the moment with this show is thoroughly engrossing nonetheless. Strikingly dramatic. Remarkably eerie. Curiously captivating. By the end of the end of episode one, you’ll know what you need to know about the Greek God, Kronos. And by the end of episode two, you’ll be eager to know what happens next.

Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference -2 | What does this mean?