Longmire Review: Father Knows Worst
The second episode of Longmire wasn't exactly subtle.
A week after viewers met this Wyoming-based sheriff, learning about the death of his wife and the repercussions felt by all around him, Walt walked "The Dark Road" on an installment that centered around the bonds of family, specifically the relationship between fathers and daughters.
Oh, and Katee Sackhoff sort of stripped. Fans of Battlestar Galactica can now die in prace.
The hour played out like more of a procedural than I'd prefer. Following the Longmire series premiere, I (unfairly) compared the series to Justified and I'm about to do so again:
It took that FX hit nearly a full season to strike the right balance between weekly cases and over-arching, season-long mythology. A series does not have to combine these two elements, of course, but it does to keep my interest intact. I'm just not much of a procedural fan.
So I found it a bit of a bore to watch Walt go from location to location, getting to the bottom of the Mennonite stripper's death like almost any cop on any version of Law & Order or CSI. Granted, Longmire still takes its time, still uses some gorgeous exterior shots and is still clearly more about the sheriff at its center - who can apparently speak German and instantly notice that a lock has been changed - than the actual results of his cases.
But I'd like more. It doesn't have to be much. Something about the race between Walt and Branch? New details emerging on how Walt's wife died? An extended look into his feud with the reservation? I'm sure we'll be treated to these going forward, but some teases in those directions would have helped hooked me in early on.
Here, instead, we were walloped over the head with Walt and Cady's relationship. It's obviously an important one for the show, but it didn't feel especially fresh. Father suspects daughter is dating someone. Daughter is hiding the fact that she's dating her dad's chief rival. Not exactly the most original material, but I'll reserve full judgment until we actually see how it plays out.
I do love Cassidy Freeman as Cady and Robert Taylor's understated performance does help bring out Walt's constant pain. In the wake of his wife's passing, Walt is now protective of anyone and everyone, dead or alive. There's Cady, of course, but he also scoffed at Vic's creative information gathering and was sure to afford the victim as much respect as possible.
Overall, not a bad episode by any means - I enjoyed the peek into the Mennonite community - but Longmire is yet to really grip me and pull me in. What did everyone else think?
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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July 31st, 2012 3:02 AM
Good series we watch it in the UK. Don't think much of the actress playing the daughter. Completely devoid of personality. Between one episode and the next I can't remember what she looks like.
Rank: New User
July 3rd, 2012 4:14 PM
No cell phone is just a practicality. Cell service out in the western prairies and mountains is sketchy at best. (Few towers) Radios work better.
June 15th, 2012 9:39 AM
The Good Wife, and now Longmire; as far as writing goes, it doesn't get much better. Acting, Directing, Cinematography, and Editing are also top notch. Two episodes and I'm hooked.
June 13th, 2012 4:37 PM
I've read all the Longmire books so was disappointed in the casting of a younger man in the role of Longmire. Someone like Tommy Lee Jones would have been more appropriate - but I can adapt. What I can't get over is Lou Diamond Phillips as "The Cheyenne Nation" You've got to be kidding. No way! I have nothing against Phillips but he's no Standing Bear - no way!
June 12th, 2012 7:55 AM
For those of you who have read the books, please forgive my ignorance for I have not. Also, I have not seen Justified (I think I heard Matt gasp! LOL).
If speaking without contractions is a Native American representation, why is Henry the only one who does it? The other Native Americans last week used contractions.
June 12th, 2012 7:52 AM
@Matt
You mentioned respect for the living and the dead, and I agree with that. But I also see some of what he does more as compassion and understanding for both the victims and their families, rather than respect. Like the careful covering up of the victim, to me, that wasn't a sheriff showing respect, but a father showing understanding. It may just be semantics. I guess where you and I really disagree is where last week you wrote, "We need Walt to be an engaging, interesting character. And he simply isn't." The way Walt is portrayed to me, makes him exactly that, engaging and interesting. I want to see what he does next. He is obviously a well-read, and highly intelligent individual.
June 11th, 2012 9:58 PM
I like the show. It is clearly different from anything currently or recently available on TV. Sheriff Longmire is growing on me. He has depth and mystery and that combo always intriques me.
I want to know more about the relationship between Longmire and Henry because that has great potential for exploration.
Given that the show saw a double digit percentage increase in viewership from week one to week two, the future already looks bright for the series. In that sense, there will be plenty to review and talk about going forward.
June 11th, 2012 5:23 PM
Didn't realize this was based on a series of books, but was really let down by the formulaic plot development that had the Sherrif's antagonist (Branch) being the person sleeping with his daughter, I was so hopeful that it wouldn't be that obvious. Will keep watching for a while, to see what develops.
Rank: Regular Character
June 11th, 2012 12:03 PM
Oh but I did like the inside joke in reference to the Vampire Diaries when Cady said she was dating a vampire!
Rank: Regular Character
June 11th, 2012 12:00 PM
While I till do not 100% love this show I do enjoy it! Personally I was not surprised at all that Cady was dating Branch, last week when we saw the preview, I knew they were dating! I think this show is a little slow and times and to me I still prefer the Glades, I will keep watching.