Episode 8 of Outer Range commences with Deputy Joy traversing the woods, still reeling from her encounter in the previous episode. The distant rumbling grows ominous as she emerges into the pasture, her eyes wide with shock as a stampede unfolds before her.
Later in the episode, it transpires that this chaos is a direct consequence of the mysterious black goo discovered by Luke while digging into the earth. Grasping it in his hands, the same rumbling heralds the emergence of a portal, from which a horde of American bison surges forth, charging through the wilderness. It's worth mentioning that, by 1889, the American bison population had dwindled to a mere 541. The portal, seemingly opened years before that, could have swallowed thousands of these creatures, all of which now pour out in the present day, accounting for the sheer number of bison present. The arrow protruding from the side of one bison at the episode's close serves as further testament to this, hinting at how these animals once faced the threat of hunters.
Meanwhile, Billy sits bedside Wayne, serenading him with a song (oh, the dreaded singing). He gently places dirt on Wayne's lips and forehead before departing to greet his brother. As the brothers exchange words, Billy confesses to Luke that the mysterious hole has vanished. He promises to cede control of the ranch to Luke if he refrains from harming their father. Royal, meanwhile, rushes to the motel, gun in hand, but arrives too late. Autumn has already departed with Billy, who arrives to spirit her away, swearing his loyalty to her and explaining why he's relinquished the ranch in the process.
Amidst the tumultuous drama, Rhett Abbott, a daring bull-rider, graces the arena on that fateful night. The occasion is momentous, yet amidst the chaos, Royal manages to approach Rhett, flanked by vigilant security guards who plead for him to desist. With a heavy heart, Royal warns Rhett that "he may never see him again," urging him to seek whatever lies hidden on the vast lands, though his words falter as he speaks. Temporarily retreating to his seat, he receives a call from Autumn, who mischievously dares him to pursue her, whispering, "You cannot defy fate, Royal." Her challenge ignites a fire in his heart, motivating him to find her regardless of the obstacles.
As the commotion settles after Rhett's disappointing finish at the bottom of the scoreboard, Amy wanders off, stumbling upon Rebecca, who appears to be aimlessly wandering. She claims to have had to hide for a while, leaving a shroud of mystery over the reasons and manner. With a promise to explain all later, she convinces Amy to follow her, leaving Cecilia alone in her desperate search for the missing girl. As her despair deepens, she cries out, repeating that God has forsaken them.
Meanwhile, Rhett, despite a shoulder injury that is clearly painful, mounts the bull once more. Defying his physical limitations, he delivers a stellar ride, emerging victorious from the competition, having overcome adversity to secure the win. However, this triumph is bittersweet, as he realizes his family is absent to witness his achievement. This realization solidifies his decision. With a sling supporting his injured arm, he approaches Maria, confessing his love for her. He is ready to turn his back on his family, the ranch, and everything he has known, determined to embark on a new journey.
In the bustling town, Royal encountered Autumn, who promptly unleashed a barrage of bullets upon him. Fortunately, he was not alone, as Billy stood steadfastly by his side. A frenzied car chase erupted, trailing out into the unforgiving wilderness, only to be disrupted by a colossal stampede of bison. The tumultuous stampede also caused Rhett and Maria's vehicle to veer off-road, while Autumn lay helplessly on the ground.
As the bison herd receded, Royal hastened towards Autumn and observed a scar adorning the side of her head, identical to Amy's. As he examined her, a realization dawned on him: she was Amy, or perhaps a future incarnation of her. With utmost care, Royal escorted Autumn upstairs to recuperate.
Later, Royal approached Cecilia, his voice laden with remorse. "Our family is lost, everything is gone... Amy is gone," she whispered, her tears streaming down her cheeks. However, Royal responded with a haunting tone, "No, she's not."
