The seventh episode of Outer Range's second season commences with Cecilia and Royal embarking on a quest, united in their resolve to uncover the whereabouts of Rebecca and Amy. Royal's joy in accompanying her is palpable, yet the enigmatic hole perplexes him. Its significance remains a mystery, and the thought of the countless individuals who may have traversed it fills him with dread. Whether these are Royal's own sentiments or a subtle commentary from our writing team, avoiding the profound existential queries posed by the season's time travel theme, remains ambiguous.
Meanwhile, Wayne calls Luke, his voice laced with vengeance and malice. Standing over Billy's lifeless body, he sheds tears for his youngest son, lamenting the demise of the Tillerson family legacy. In a moment of despair, he decides to burn the house to the ground, a symbolic act of purging all that remains. The Tillerson legacy is drawing to a close, or so it seems for these two. Wayne strips off his shirt, surrendering to the flames that consume him. However, an eerie "calling" — a strange, ringing noise — interrupts his fate. Drawn by the strange summons, he ventures outside, determined to uncover the truth.
He marches relentlessly towards the hole, situated in the West Pasture. With fervor, he demands to know his purpose, seeking clarity in the chaos. Ultimately, he makes a leap of faith, plunging into the abyss, in search of answers that may, or may not, be found.
Once upon a time, a youthful Royal and Perry engaged in a deep conversation, culminating in a momentous choice by Royal—a choice that propelled Perry back into the abyss, leaving his whereabouts shrouded in mystery. Now, as if by some cosmic design, everyone seems destined for a convergence, with the promise of a family reunion looming large.
However, Perry finds himself inexplicably transported back to the ranch, not in the present but a fleeting moment in the past—the fateful confrontation with Trevor. Yet, this time, fate weaved a different tapestry, and it was Perry, not Trevor, who fell victim to the fatal blow. This anomaly begs the question: how can two Perrys coexist in this timeline, one alive, the other deceased?
The crimson spatters are unmistakably Perry's, not Trevor's, and the belt buckle, now adorned with Perry's blood, takes on a more sinister meaning. Surely, such a divergence should unravel the fabric of time itself? Undeterred, our Perry resolves to right this wrong, driving to the West Pasture with a grim purpose—to lay the lifeless Perry to rest in the hole.
Meanwhile, Luke reveals the sordid truth to Autumn about his role in Billy's demise, albeit with a measure of reluctance. Autumn is swift to remind him that death is not an absolute, hinting at the possibility of redemption.
After a harrowing journey, they finally reach the Women's Shelter, where Amy reunites with Autumn. Luke waits outside, a necessary precaution. Autumn presses Rebecca to release Amy, urging her to let the young woman return to the Ranch and reunite with Rhett and the others. Autumn speaks from the heart, highlighting the profound bond between Rebecca and Amy, and making it clear that she knows Rebecca took Amy/Autumn away from love, not spite.
Confronted with the threat of exposure and the shattering of Amy's perception of her, Rebecca capitulates. She begins to gather her things, but before she leaves, Autumn dabs her mouth with a mineral, and as it seeps into her skin, Rebecca is assailed by haunting visions. With Amy now in the care of Autumn and Luke, they set off on their journey.
Elsewhere, Royal and Ceci arrive at Fourwing and are dismayed to learn that Amy has already departed. Rebecca is in a state of disarray, her mind consumed by a delusional rambling about Amy being a gift destined for time. Desperate, Ceci calls Autumn, pleading with her to retrieve Amy rather than casting her into the abyss. Royal attempts to coerce her with threats, but his efforts fall flat.
In a panic, Royal turns to Joy, dialing her number and begging for her assistance. He asks her to intervene alone, instructing her to do "whatever it takes" to halt Autumn and Ceci. It's a fortunate request, given Joy's current position outside Shelton Cape, her murderous intentions looming over the horizon.
Meanwhile, Rhett finds Nia, who hands him the bullet. Though the land is not part of his bail agreement, he agrees to play the role of a dutiful son in exchange for a hefty sum. He cannot guarantee success, but Nia, trapped in a corner, acquiesces. While Nia maneuvers within the system, Maria also plays a dangerous game. She begins to conceal notes beneath her bra, hidden behind the counter, a risky endeavor that will surely catch up with her sooner or later.
Joy arrives at the gaping hole, aiming her gun at Luke's car tires and puncturing them with precise shots, effectively halting their escape. Without hesitation, she knocks Luke out cold as he confronts her, her voice sharp as she demands Autumn to step out. Autumn complies, but not without holding Amy hostage with a gun pointed squarely at her.
Amidst the tense standoff, Autumn insists that there's a rhyme and reason to everything, but Joy silences her with a bullet to the chest. As Autumn collapses, Amy slips into the abyss, and the hole seals itself, swallowing her whole. As Autumn fades into unconsciousness, she mutters, "Many will follow," her words trailing off as paramedics rush her to the hospital.
Tragically, the prognosis seems dire, but Autumn defies death's grasp and returns to life. Miraculously, Amy also wakes up, albeit in the midst of a desolate wilderness. Two hikers stumble upon her, inquiring about her identity, but Amy's mind is a blank, and she settles on calling herself Autumn.
Meanwhile, Royal is also rushed to the hospital, his fate uncertain. Back in the past, Perry returns to the ranch, finding solace in reading Amy a bedtime story. However, Royal senses a foreboding shift in the timeline, as if he's stepped into a different reality.
In the hospital, Royal drifts into a dream where he leaves his room and finds everyone waiting for him outside. Ceci whispers, "Time is a river, Royal, and this is your destiny." As the voices of others echo her sentiment, Royal jolts awake, his heart pounding. He assures Ceci that everything will be alright, but his dreamlike vision lingers, haunted by Autumn's ominous words: "This is just the beginning."
