Longmire 4.1 "Down By The River" Review

Longmire returned to Netflix in Season 4 (and 5 USA in the UK) without losing any of its charm or hard-hitting stories with the emotional impact of loss and yet still retained the essence of essentially still being a mystery show.  This episode packed a punch to draw back viewers, as if they wouldn't, as Vic (Katee Sackhoff) comes a-calling on Walt (Robert Taylor) only to find Henry (Lou Diamond Phillips) there who notices Walt's taken his wife's ashes and he vowed only to do that when he deals with his wife's killer. This time he's gunning for Nighthorse (A Martinez) as he returns on his plane.  Only Henry gets there before the plane has time to land and they find themselves engaging in a tussle.  Cos Henry wants him to bring Nighthorse down the right way and by the book.  (Though it could be argued Walt has his own book.)  He backs down when Henry reminds him how he promised Henry wouldn't wind up back in prison.  Thus the conversation with Nighthorse ends with asking if he's got anything to           declare.

As for Vic well she's still carrying round those feelings for Walt, as she did arrive with his favourite six pack of Rainier and her top undone, so she was expecting some sort of action.  Though it wasn't action of the dramatic variety we were treated to.  Don't know about you, but I'm one of those who doesn't want to see that relationship come about or really go anywhere.  There I said it again.  Henry also realizing the he signed over the deed of the Red Pony to Malachi (Graham Greene) and no longer owns it, another thorn in his side, as if the fallout over Hector wasn't enough for him to deal with.  He takes it upon himself to return the money to anyone who pitched in to save him.

With all this going on, the main highlight was Cady (Cassidy Freeman) looking for Branch and finding his 'suicide' note on his laptop.  Though didn't think Branch was one for leaving notes on a computer, seeing as technology in the office is few and far between.  That aside, Walt finds him at the river, hence the title, with shotgun wound to his face.  Again a shotgun isn't really the best way to go, but again didn't think Branch was the type to use a shotgun; let alone commit suicide.  As we knew him to be made of sterner stuff.  Walt wants to treat the scene as he wold any other and conduct a proper investigation as is befitting Branch and would do the same for anyone else.  Asking Vic for a pair of gloves, which he never wears.

Ferg (Adam Bartley) is left with the task of breaking the sad news to Cady, as she already suspects it will be bad news.  As Walt sits in on the autopsy, having to leave cos he spoke.  Pointing out Branch's scar so we know it's really his DB.  Though the coroner could've done a better job than he did, even if he did call it a special favour for Walt later on.  Who doesn't want anything released until he finds the family, which he does when Branch's father, Barlow (Gerald McRaney) leaves a message on his phone.  Obviously he doesn't take the news well of losing his only son.

Walt has a feeling it's not suicide and there's more to this as he counts the pellets in the shell, coming up with six short of the 202 that should be there.  Could be washed away, or could be there's more going on, like a staged suicide.  Vic gets drunk blames herself for Branch and Walt silts the river looking for pellets, telling Ferg to canvas the area for anyone who should have heard the gunshot. Also deciding that Nighthorse may have been behind his death, since Branch was working on that case.

Vic tells him it's over if it's been ruled a suicide and he should let it go, then clumsily knocks over the evidence box, where Walt sees the shell has dirt in it, which couldn't have gotten there unless someone tampered with the scene afterwards.  Cos Branch couldn't have put the shell back into the gun after he shot himself.  However the coroner refuses to change the ruling, which only a court can do.

Of course Nighthorse comes a-calling emblazoned with the rest of the tribes as one, to remind him of how they were betrayed by the Whiteman, as Walt tells him he was behind Martha's death. Nighthorse adding he doesn't kill women and children and that he's after their money in the form of the casinos.

Opening up this mystery which nicely sets up the episodes for the entire season, as all the usual traits which made this show such a hit are still there, primarily the emotions and still the heartbreak of his wife's murder hanging around, which doesn't appear will be laid to rest for awhile yet.  But here most noticeable is Walt's determination that he won't let this one go cos he missed the glaring signs, including that of Barlow and his intentions.