What I’m Watching: Longmire

Longmire: Season 5, Episode 4 “The Judas Wolf” (B+)

I’ve noticed that these episodes are getting longer and longer, going from somewhere between 40 and 45 minutes when the show used to air on network television up to just over an hour now that it’s available exclusively for streaming. That allows for longer storytelling, and I don’t know that there’s another show that can get away with this pacing and still remain interesting. Walt being referenced as being on his way out was marvelously contrasted by the sight of Walt running quickly on the treadmill after responding to the joke about being pregnant. It’s always exciting when most people are rooting for the alleged victims to be kidnapped or killed, and there wasn’t much affection to be found for the missing hunters. The situation turned out to be, in usual fashion, much more complicated than expected, with a kidney transplant and a signed permission slip to ensure that there wouldn’t be prosecuted for the offense. There were a number of guest stars in this hour, including Louis Herthum from “Westworld,” Eric Ladin from “The Killing,” and Shannon Lucio from “The O.C.” Walt pursuing his legal case rather than settling should prove both frustrating and entertaining, and while it’s a shame Cady won’t be representing him, she seems to have recommended someone with a whole lot more personality. Henry and Mathias experienced a share sense of dismay and devastation when they found the boy dead, and I imagine they’re going to be working together much more purposefully going forward to prevent such a horrible thing from happening again.