It is hard to replicate the feeling of Twin Peaks, but Outer Range on Prime Video shares some qualities with the mystery masterpiece. Twin Peaks has influenced too many TV shows to count, including this Western sci-fi show.
Sadly, Outer Range was canceled after only two seasons. Nonetheless, it is still well worth a watch for fans of David Lynch’s work. If you don’t mind a lack of closure, its Peaksy mysteries and quirks are still great viewing.
Fans Of Twin Peaks Will Love Prime Video’s Outer Range
It’s A Sci-fi Western But Has A Similar Mysterious Feel
Outer Range left a lot of unanswered questions and mysteries when it was unfortunately axed, but viewers of Twin Peaks are likely unafraid of watching TV shows that don’t answer all the questions. It is a really interesting take on the Western genre, comparable to how David Lynch creatively uses Americana in his work. Using sci-fi elements in the mind-bending plot allows the showrunners to focus on intergenerational trauma and complex family dynamics in a compelling way in the show. Twin Peaks also has this as a major theme.
Apart from the prominent question of who killed Laura Palmer, another question explored in Twin Peaks and its prequel movie was who Laura really is – Outer Range parallels this with the questionable idenтιтy of Autumn, the mystery girl who shows up in episode 1. It provoked a lot of theories and speculation among viewers, making it a respectable high performer on Prime Video, which makes its cancellation even more of a surprise. It only gets better in season 2, when a lot of character development is improved, making its discontinuation feel all the more premature.
Despite Being Canceled, Outer Range Is Still Worth Your Time
Its Family Dynamics And Mind-Bending Plot Make It A Great Watch
While it is a shame Outer Range will not be continuing, it is absolutely still worth your time if you love Twin Peaks. The series carves out moments reminiscent of Twin Peaks‘ peculiar charm, most notably in the eccentric Tillerson family. Their youngest son, Billy, embodies this with his impromptu graveside karaoke, a scene underscored by his mother Patricia’s unsettling behavior towards her sons and her dramatic coffin reveal. These moments of unexpected, darkly comedic surrealism, where the bizarre intrudes upon the seemingly normal backdrop of a Western setting, echo the off-kilter sensibilities that makes Twin Peaks fun to rewatch.
The sudden appearance of a cosmic time portal on the Abbott ranch introduces an element of the inexplicable…
Further, Outer Range delves into a central mystery with a supernatural twist that will likely intrigue Twin Peaks viewers. The sudden appearance of a cosmic time portal on the Abbott ranch introduces an element of the inexplicable comparable to the sycamore portal in Twin Peaks, forcing the characters to confront realities beyond their understanding. This tangible manifestation of the strange and unknown, coupled with the unfolding secrets and interconnected relationships within the small community, parallels the core appeal of Twin Peaks‘ blend of mystery and the otherworldly, offering a worthwhile viewing experience.
