‘Longmire’ season 3, episode 1 review: Still old-school, and still solid

“Longmire” is one of those shows that gets very little attention from the mainstream, and to a certain extent, we understand why. It is a crime show in a TV landscape surrounded by crime shows. It is not a particularly easy feat to stand out among them and have your voice be heard.

Also, “Longmire” is an ageless show. It doesn’t throw up hashtags, and it feels almost like it could have been on the air 30 years ago virtually unchanged. It’s old-school, cinematic in a way, and great because of that. There are few other shows out there that have this sort of tone and grit to them.

What we liked about tonight’s premiere was that it focused on a reservation, which hardly the environment that you’re accustomed to seeing on a crime show. Walt, desperate to find a killer, went up against the authorities of a place where he did not have full jurisdiction. Also interesting? That Longmire did not really accomplish too much over the course of the hour. Branch couldn’t pinpoint the man supposedly responsible for shooting him, which shouldn’t come as too great of a surprise given his current emotional state.

This episode existed more for the set-up, and provided us with a direction as to where “Longmire” will go the rest of the season. We’re find with the story taking its time so long as it continues to go to interesting places … especially when it comes to the case of Walt’s wife. The only thing we really hope for is that there is some resolution to everything before the end of this season. We had enough of a close call with a renewal for this season that we don’t want to stand thinking about loose ends following a finale.

Also, let’s say a quick thank-you to A&E for making their screen presentation much less distracting than it was during “Bates Motel.” Grade: B+.

What did you think about the “Longmire” premiere tonight? Let us know your thoughts with a comment below.