Ep 5. The Soil

The episode titled "The Soil" of the first season of Outer Range is a slow-burn exploration into the life and motivations of the show's main protagonist, Royal Abbott, played by Josh Brolin. In this episode, the tension between the locals and the outsiders comes to a head as the boundary between the two is tested in unexpected ways.

The episode begins with Royal and his daughter Tess exploring the land around their ranch. During their wanderings, they come across a dead deer, which Royal takes as an opportunity to teach Tess about the cycle of life and death in nature. This seemingly small moment is actually foundational to the episode's overarching themes of life, death, and rebirth.

Meanwhile, the townsfolk in the nearby town of Blackburn are preparing for their annual Independence Day parade and festivities. Among them is Sheriff Rhoades, played by Tom Pelphrey, who is mostly relegated to a supporting role in this episode. The focus then shifts to a group of outsiders who have arrived in town for the festivities.

These outsiders are looking to buy up land for a new development, which is met with hostility by the locals who fear that their way of life is threatened. This conflict comes to a head during the parade, as tensions flare up and violence erupts. It is at this point that Royal finds himself caught in the crossfire, putting his own life at risk.

The heart of this episode, and the series at large, is the question of what motivates a person to defend their way of life. Is it fear? A sense of morality? In the case of Royal, it seems to be something deeper and more personal. His connection to the land is not just a matter of practicality, but of a profound spiritual connection.

This connection is explored through the episode's use of imagery and mythology. The imagery of death and rebirth, the changing seasons, and the cyclical nature of life are all used to underscore the idea that the land is not just a resource to be exploited, but a living entity with its own rhythms and cycles. This is further emphasized through the use of Native American mythology, as Royal listens to a story of creation from one of his neighbors.

Overall, "The Soil" is a slow, contemplative episode that delves deeply into the show's central themes of land, community, and identity. While the action and conflict are not as prominent as in previous episodes, the episode still manages to pack an emotional punch with its exploration of Royal's motivations and his deep connection to the land.