Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided the writer with a free copy of the DVD reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions share are her own.
I am so grateful to Netflix for giving us three more seasons of Longmire after it was canceled by A&E. While I was still not ready for it to end, at least we got a final season to leave these characters in a thoughtful and fulfilled way.
Our beloved Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) continues to face intense personal and professional challenges. His best friend Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Philips) is kidnapped and Walt goes searching for him on the reservation with the help of Marilyn Yarlott (Tantoo Cardinal), a Crow hunter and medicine woman. Walt’s daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman) has opened her legal aid office on the reservation and faces violent opposition and difficulties in trying to built trust with the people she is trying to help.
While trying to care for those he cares about and solve ongoing cases, Walt must continue to deal with the suspicious casino owner Jacob Nighthorse (A Martinez) and Malichi Strand (Graham Green). Lastly, he faces a pending civil trial for the death of Barlow Connally. Victoria “Vic” Moretti (Katee Sackhoff) is tormented about her pregnancy and what to do about it. She also continues to struggle with her feelings for Walt. The Ferg (Adam Bartley) gets a love interest and grows into his deputy role by finally taking some chances and showing some bravery.
This final season plays out like a 10-part film rather than a TV show. Each episode is filled with action, intrigue, and intense drama. At this point, we know these characters so well and the actors are in perfectly synced stride portraying them. Taylor continues to be the solid foundation from which everything else is built upon. He is vulnerable but strong. Honorable but not without flaws. Longmire is one of the best characters ever created, with such believability and depth. The cast has come together for this last season like a beautifully choreographed dance. Each playing off each other differently based on their unique relationships. The woven storylines come together in the final episode in a very satisfying way.
The landscape continues to play a great role as well. It is beautifully shot in the wide open spaces with the gorgeous big blue skies. The ongoing issues for the people on the reservation are also highlighted in an honest and heartbreaking way. As a huge fan from the beginning, they saved the best for last. I am happy that it ended on such a high note but will always feel the wanting for more.
The three-disc DVD set only offers the 10 episodes. I was really hoping for some extras with this final season since some previous season releases included interviews and behind-the-scenes information which helped to deepen themes and character development.
