DVD Review: Longmire (The Complete Second Season)

DVD Reviews, Reviews

Over the last decade, reality shows have dominated TV to the point that it takes the eyes a few minutes to figure out if the person on the screen is a real, an actor or a real person acting (as seen on The Real Housewives of Atlanta). A&E’s Longmire appears to be a reality show when Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) stares out at the Wyoming vista. He his face looks native to the rugged near wilderness. The show quickly disperses the “fact or fiction” question when Longmire is surrounded by a few familiar TV faces. Taylor is really Australian. Even though it’s a drama, it feels natural. The cop drama brings the best of a western into a modern law enforcement series. Longmire: The Complete Second Season brings 13 more episodes of a sheriff in a small place that occupies a wide expanse.

“Unquiet Mind” has Longmire and Deputy “Vic” Moretti (Battlestar Galactica‘s Katee Sackhoff) transporting a serial killer to a meet up with the FBI. Part of the deal is the killer will point out the grave of another one of his Native American victims. After Longmire leaves the killer with the Feds, things go really bad. It’s up to Longmire to track down the escaped killer along with a few other felons in the nasty winter weather. “Carcasses” has a clue to a murder victim be undigested Turducken. That’s actually a tasty mixed up bird dish. But this isn’t all about funky meats. There’s a prostitution ring uncovered during the homicide investigation. “Death Came in Like Thunder” kills a victim with hemlock as If they were a Greek philosopher. “The Road to Hell” brings in the concept of a Livestock bureau having detectives. “Party’s Over” proves even in the middle of nowhere, kids are hooked on pills. Robocop‘s Peter Weller directed this episode.

“Sound and Fury” is a confusing time as Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) swears he’s been approached to kill a man’s wife. He’s not sure of much, but it’s enough of a trail to send Longmire on a mission. “The Great Spirit” turns a rodeo into a homicide site. Turns out a new mega-farm isn’t being truthful to illegal aliens. “Tuscan Red” deals with a complicated murder involving the local casino. Someone didn’t double down. “Election Day” makes Longmire work as ballots are cast. The man can never get a break. “Natural Order” puts a dead game warden next to a slaughtered elk. “A Good Death is Hard to Find” starts of with Longmire being given a safety deposit box containing a finger. “Bad Medicine” brings back the mystery of Longmire’s murdered wife. Can he finally get the truth?

Longmire is a riveting series with its mix of small town homicide with old west attitude. Taylor becomes so natural on the screen. It’s like watching an episode of Cops during the more quiet moments. Sackhoff gets to really shine with her tough deputy who also knows how to distract with her sexuality. Lou Diamond Phillips does his usual magic as Longmire’s best pal. Longmire captures the flavor of Wyoming even though it’s shot in New Mexico.

The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The transfers bring out the desert life. The audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. The mix allows the wind to whip around the speakers. The episodes are subtitled.

Extended Episodes are provided for “Sound and Fury” and “Election Day.” The executive producer introduces the episodes.

Testing Courage: The Storm Defies the Man (30:00) explores the themes for the third season.

Longmire: The Complete Second Season is the best Western since Deadwood.

Warner Home Video presents Longmire: The Complete Second Season. Starring: Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff and Lou Diamond Phillips. Boxset Contents: 13 episodes on 3 DVDs. Released: May 13, 2014.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.