Episode 2 of Outer Range kicks off with Autumn hovering ominously over the gaping hole. With a forceful push, she sends Royal tumbling into its depths. Swiftly, she snatches his torn shirt from the fence and rushes away, leaving the scene behind her.
The Tillerson brothers, unaware of the drama, make their way to Royal's abode. However, their visit is curtly ended by Cecilia, who greets them at the door and instructs them to leave. But where is Royal?
Mysteriously, Royal awakens in the midst of a vast field, the rain pouring down relentlessly. To his surprise, his steed arrives, offering assistance in his time of need. Bare-chested and battered, he stumbles through the front door to find the boys and Cecilia anxiously awaiting his return. Without hesitation, Royal confirms that Trevor's body is missing, yet their concern lies elsewhere - with Autumn.
Royal's leg sports a gruesome wound, the aftermath of a blind gunshot fired from an unknown assailant in the night. As Cecilia stitches the gash, she asks, "Do you think we'll be forgiven for this?" Their situation, involving Trevor's disappearance, is sure to become a town-wide sensation.
Unsurprisingly, Deputy Sheriff Joy has taken charge of the investigation. She passes by Rhett on her way to the Tillerson ranch in the morning. Luke pleads with the police to find Trevor, and Joy assures him they'll keep a close eye on the situation. With the vote for the new sheriff looming in just 28 days, tensions are high, especially when Joy reveals that she's gay. With a forced smile, Joy collects Trevor's bloodied belt buckle, recovered outside the bar, and decides to delve deeper into the mystery, especially considering the Tillerson boys could influence the upcoming vote in her favor.
Amidst all this turmoil, there's also the ongoing land dispute between the Tillerson's and Abbott's. The ranch has been a fixture for three generations, but according to Abbott's lawyer, Tom, this is a classic case of a "topographical mess." The lines were drawn long ago, and now, these outdated land maps are being used as a weapon to encroach on the Abbott family's territory.
After much deliberation, Royal finally resolves to reconcile with the Tillerson family and ventures to their abode. Upon arrival, his attention is drawn to a business card from the Rare Earth Society sitting conspicuously on the table, seemingly indicating their accomplice. Inside, Wayne lies in bed, wired to various monitors, but his eyes gleam with greed as Royal approaches. He smiles cunningly, emphasizing his insatiable hunger for more land, specifically Royal's pasture. With the backing of the State of Wyoming, Royal's position seems precarious.
Meanwhile, out in the vast wilderness, Autumn stumbles upon the tiny Amy. She shares with the young girl that she feels a profound sense of belonging in this place, gesturing towards some sketches of a peculiar sideways 'A' she had drawn in the past. Autumn is startled to learn that Royal is up and about, but her concern deepens when she realizes that she has drawn the same markings as those etched on a nearby rocky outcrop. The symbol resembles an 'A', perhaps standing for Abbott?
As Autumn wanders, Royal finds his way to Autumn's humble abode. He snatches his bloodied shirt and hastily discards it into a nearby hole, his mind in turmoil. Later that afternoon, upon returning home, he speaks of a vast emptiness in their lives and decides to relocate all the cattle away from the western pasture. He sternly warns his family against engaging with Autumn, though Amy confesses that she has already spoken to her.
That night, Autumn appears at the barn, unannounced. Royal demands her departure, but Autumn stands her ground, knowing she possesses secrets that could be her bargaining chip. They exchange a barrage of questions, with Autumn confessing her belief in fate. She reveals that she once belonged to a cult and that her memories before the age of nine, when she arrived at the ranch, are a blur.
Now, let's delve deeper into what truly unfolded for Royal in that ominous hole. As the timer's ticking echoed in his ears, the sky, a stark contrast of purple and blue, seemed to bleach the reality around him. Suddenly, Cecilia emerged, her words like a cold breeze, informing him that this was no longer their domain. In the distance, a crowd of unfamiliar faces loomed, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
With a heavy heart, Cecilia disclosed the shocking truth that Royal had been dead for two years. The words hung in the air, heavy and unforgiving. "Run," she whispered, her voice urgent and filled with concern. Before he could react, Luke Tillerson stepped forward, his aim precise, and a bullet pierced Royal's leg. The gunshot wound, a tangible reminder of the nightmare he was enduring, became the focal point of the bizarre scene, leaving him with more questions than answers, all leading to the mysterious follow-up of the next week.
