Release Date, Cast, Cancelled or Renewed

‘The Outpost’ is an American fantasy-adventure drama television series that airs on The CW, and first premiered on July 10, 2018. It is produced by Syfy’s international channels for international broadcast. The show has been created by Jason Faller and Kynan Griffin.

The series revolves around a character called Talon who is the sole survivor of the Blackbloods, which is a race. Determined to find the people responsible for the death of her parents, she sets out on a journey. While tracking these people, she discovers her supernatural powers which she has to learn to harness.

Shows with quest motifs are always a strong point of attraction and this series is no different. When coupled with the presence of supernatural powers, it serves as an additional point of attraction. However, being somewhat of a fantasy series, the show was compared to some of the greatest in the genre like ‘Game of Thrones‘ and ‘Lord of the Rings‘. While I find this comparison to be slightly unfair, critics did not favor ‘The Outpost’, and said, “A featherweight fantasy with a few enticing features, The Outpost’s potential pleasures can’t quite overcome its cheap-looking production design”.

The Outpost Cast: Who is in it?

The cast of ‘The Outpost’ stars Jessica Green of ‘Ash Vs Evil Dead‘ fame as Talon, Jake Stormoen as Captain Garret Spears, Imogen Waterhouse as Gwynn Calkussar or Princess Rosmund, and Anand Desai-Barochia as Janzo. These are supposedly the most important characters of the show along with Andrew Howard as Gate Marshal Cedric Wythers and Robyn Malcolm in the role of Elinor. There are also some supporting characters who add a degree of richness to the show.

In the upcoming season, most of the main characters are set to return but it remains to be seen if any new characters are going to be added. They would definitely make things interesting as Talon continues her quest for revenge and justice.

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The Outpost Plot: What is it about?

Here’s the official synopsis of the show: “The Outpost follows Talon (Jessica Green), the lone survivor of a race called ‘Blackbloods.’ Years after her entire village is destroyed by a gang of brutal mercenaries, Talon travels to a lawless fortress on the edge of the civilized world, as she tracks the killers of her family. On her journey to this outpost, Talon discovers she possesses a mysterious supernatural power that she must learn to control in order to save herself, and defend the world against a fanatical religious dictator.”

When the show starts, we are introduced to the Blackbloods who are elf-like creatures who appear to have a love for nature. However, before we can get acquainted with them, they are swiftly eliminated by mercenaries who are sent by some political order or the other. The show does not have a rich political context, or the inclination to explain it very well to the viewers, and they kind of wing it, expecting that the viewers too will not ask too many follow up questions. Anyhow, we are introduced to our protagonist Talon, who sees her parents murdered and obviously has revenge on her mind. As a montage of shots takes her from one poorly lit landscape to another, viewers are left asking if this is the kind of cheap appearance that a show with aspirations of being an addition to the fantasy genre should have.

On her journey, Talon soon runs into trouble and is saved by Garret, who takes her to the Outpost. It is soon established that this place is some sort of cliched haven for those on the run, the misfits, and those trying to get away from their past. It is the typical shady place where one expects the protagonist to form some alliances and pick up leads about their quest. The show does not disappoint in this regard.

The Los Angeles Times has managed to sum up the show rather well, saying, “The series, which is humorous enough and romantic enough and as bloody as it needs to be for the international market, is not completely predictable. Characters you might expect to stick around for season-long adventuring are dead by the opening credits, and the first episode ends on a mildly surprising note. Still, Talon is protected by the most powerful spell of all, that of being the star of a potential multi-season television show. Fancier genre shows, on HBO or AMC, might sacrifice a beloved character to “realism.” This is not that sort of franchise.”

If there is anything that the previous season has taught us is that the path that the show is headed on is one of sure cancelation after a few seasons. If it does wish to continue, the series could go a couple of ways. It could either focus on the characters rather than the tropes of the fantasy genre. If the characters have rich stories and motivations, it is enough to interest and engross viewers. Alternately, the series can focus on the relationships built in the show and explore those dynamics in a world of fantasy. They might even reject the genre expectations and focus on humor, in which case, this will be a show where the viewers are invited to laugh along with the characters.

The Outpost Season 2 Release Date: When will it premiere?

‘The Outpost’ Season 1 premiered on July 10, 2018. As far as the next season is concerned, we have good news for the fans. The CW, against all odds, and despite poor ratings, renewed the show for another season on October 9, 2018. ‘The Outpost’ Season 2 is set to premiere on July 11, 2019.