‘Longmire’ season 4 debate: What does the future hold for Branch?
Last night, A&E’s “Longmire” capped off a pretty excellent third season with one of their strongest episodes to date … and also one that left plenty on the table to be addressed in a future handful of episodes.
If you are wonder whether or not the show has been renewed yet, we unfortunately do not know the answer to that just yet. However, we do touch on it in an article here, and you should take a look if you’re mostly curious on the circumstances that could lead to seeing more of Robert Taylor and company on the network next year.
Today, we’re looking more at a story issue in the event that the series does get renewed for another run: Where are we going now with the Branch character? Is Bailey Chase about to lose his job? In a particularly chilling moment, his father Barlow proclaimed that he can make another son after Branch figured out that he was responsible for orchestrating the death of Walt’s wife. The impression that the show tried to give us is that Branch is dead.
If you love this character, though, there are two pieces of hope that we can give you for the time being:
- You saw Walt’s reaction to hearing the gunfire, which proved that he is nearby and therefore capable of coming to the rescue.
- You never saw Branch actually die. The vast majority of the time, this sort of thing in a finale leads to them finding a way to survive. The only real exception is if this ending is set up thanks to a contract dispute, and the show wants to cover tracks. That’s not the case here.
What we would want to see from Branch here, though, is some sort of complication that comes as a result of this. Take something away from the character that made his so physically capable. It would be certainly ironic that right as he starts to get back on the straight and narrow, something terrible happens to him.
Where do you see the story for Branch going on “Longmire,” provided the show returns? Share below.
MelisaGail
August 12, 2014 @ 5:17 am
If watched closely Barlow can reach lever for pigeon while sitting and it did look like his boot. He had one red shell left in gun, BUT when gun was fired the casing landed in a pile of other casings soooo it had to have been Branch that shot, he was standing where they had been shooting from and where their earlier casings would have been. Where Barlow was sitting would not have had those on the ground. I sure hope it was Branch that fired the shot!!!
peaches
August 10, 2014 @ 11:27 pm
Please don’t take this show off!! It’s great……
keihin
August 7, 2014 @ 7:24 pm
My guess on the ending: Barlow tried and failed to kill Branch. He
managed to reload his shotgun (or pull a concealed pistol), triggered
the trap as a distraction, and turned to fire on Branch. Branch,
knowing his father and being very wary of him, had stepped close enough
to Barlow to interfere with the shot and perhaps strike him in the head
with the butt of his shotgun. We heard Barlow’s shot fired, but he
missed Branch. Branch then delivers his father up to Longmire (his
alternate father figure). This is an attempt to do what’s right, and
wash himself free of the family’s sins. It might also gain him an offer
to return as a Deputy, though I wonder whether he’d take it. I also
wonder whether Walt receives this news in time to prevent him from
killing Joseph Nighthorse. My guess is yes. This would keep the main
hero and the main villain in place to drive the story over the next
season.
ceeli
August 7, 2014 @ 6:04 pm
Longmire is
one of the BEST series on TV, they better renew it!!! I don’t think either of them dies… I think Branch winged
him. Branch was on his feet,
purposely in the offensive stance already, so he would be able to maneuver
quicker than the old man who was in a sitting position facing the other
direction. Even though it
showed Branch’s eyes tracking the target, he’s young and quick and would know
his purist father (who was dressed impeccably just to go stand on a
mountainside to shoot skeet) wasn’t shooting skeet sitting down. they’re both crack shots but Daddy’s a
half a step slower and Branch has the training to make split second
decisions. Besides that, I think
the ritual of shaving off his mustache was a nod to clearing the slate, no more
turning a blind eye to his father’s dirty dealings, he had decided to come
clean. He was ready to confront
his father and knew the old basturd well enough that the s.o.b. just might be
capable of killing his own son if it meant his own survival. I want them both back!!!! Both great actors in great roles.
ceeli
August 7, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
“You saw Walt’s reaction to hearing the gunfire, which proved that he is nearby and therefore capable of coming to the rescue.” <— What about all the other shots they fired while they were both skeet shooting? Didn't Walt hear those, too?
One of the best literary devices EVER was the owl…. WHO? WHO? WHO?
Michael
August 7, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
I recall Walt may have seen the clay pigeon drop intact (?)
Michelle Roberts
August 8, 2014 @ 12:46 am
Walt was driving up as they were skeet shooting……while they were talking is when he got out and out up his horse,I think Walt knew it was Barlow that had his wife killed and he was on his way there anyway….if Branch figured it out,I bet Walt did!
John Mark
August 12, 2014 @ 4:10 pm
No, Walt was somewhere else spreading his wife’s ashes. He hears the gunshot as he arrives home.
Catherine Scott
August 7, 2014 @ 2:06 pm
I didn’t notice the shell casings but I remember that his father’s rifle was open….the shells weren’t loaded. Branch could definitely have gotten the drop on him. Also his father has been an ancillary cast member so no huge loss. I definitely see Walt taking him under his wing.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the romance angle. Vic and Walt will have to figure out how to work together as lovers.
Michelle Roberts
August 8, 2014 @ 12:48 am
you need to go back and re watch…..his gun is open when he sits down and while he is talking he gets the RED shell out of his pocket and closes the gun…….they both had ONE RED SHELL IN THEIR GUNS LEFT AND BOTH GUNS WERE CLOSED AND READY TO FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Knutekritt
August 8, 2014 @ 5:46 pm
I saw it that way too Michelle. Both had red shell casings and Barlow had one in the tube and it showed his arm, his shirt, etc, closing the gun after the skeet set off (right…it was after the skeet went off and not before) and then the camera turned away and we hear a boom and my heart sank. Barlow wasnt sitting down, at that point he stood up to activate the skeet I think because as I go back and pause it looks like someone standing stepped on the peddle….I didnt see what boots Branch was wearing. Sometimes he has on the stamped design boots….pretty pricey looking.
James
August 7, 2014 @ 5:41 am
Has anyone considered that they are just messing with us. Picture the season 4 opener showing Barlow shoots the clay pigeon he just released and realizes Branch is pointing his shotgun at him thinking he was, well, you get the idea . . . Both characters continue and pops holds some leverage of some kind over Branch that prolongs the secret of Barlows involvement in Mrs. Longmire’s demise.
Baggy2267
August 7, 2014 @ 4:40 am
Wow, what a great “hold your breath” season #3 has been all along. It was only fitting that the season finale will have us all holding our breath for answers and more episodes! Devon has a great eye to spot such detail as the shotgun shell colors. I think Branch got the drop on Pops and now it’s one down and one to go. A&E has got to find a way to promote this show much better! Season 3 has truly sold me on the outstanding writing and acting and what a shame it would be to not have at the very least a season 4.
Dog
August 7, 2014 @ 2:42 am
Personally, I think Barlow shot himself. Walt will hear the 911 call for help from Branch and ride to the scene.
ccsurr
August 7, 2014 @ 1:51 am
I’m betting on Branch! I’ll be sooo upset if there is not a season 4…
deadwood
August 7, 2014 @ 1:16 am
Hopefully, Longmire will return. My wife and I can hardly wait each week for the next episode. Best series on tv and we would really miss it. Branch is alive !!
Marge
August 7, 2014 @ 12:48 am
Best show on tv. Would hate to see it end now.
john
August 21, 2014 @ 1:31 am
This series is just getting better, the writing ,acting and camera work are improving all the time.Season 4 should be a given.
screminmimi
August 7, 2014 @ 12:03 am
I certainly hope Branch comes out of this alive. Just read that Longmire will be back in August of 2015. (August?!?) My Native American friends and I have set up a chat room to discuss the Longmire episodes as to the authenticity of the Indian developments in the episodes; we love it! I liked Glades too and would love to have it back. Longmire is top of the line for me.
Bnutz
August 6, 2014 @ 9:04 pm
I enjoyed glades but Longmire is in another universe as far as Quality and Watch-ability. I will be Very Very Very angry if A&E is too clueless to renew this show. If they don’t perhaps Netflix will.
Rick
August 6, 2014 @ 8:42 pm
This has been by far one of the best shows on television. The characters are super, plot line not only is interesting but educational in the sense of Indian/Government relations.
The actors and actresses are just right for the show.
I hope the show goes on but I wished the same for “Glades”.
Phil
August 6, 2014 @ 5:18 am
This is one of the best shows on television and I hope that they renew their contract for season 4!!!! I think that Branch (being younger and faster) spins around and the dad misses him! They won’t kill off ole branch because half the women viewers (my wife included) will stop watching! Plus, everyone wants to see Vic get together with Walt!!!!
Perdita
August 7, 2014 @ 1:16 am
The hell with Branch, I have a huge crush on Walt!
Devon
August 6, 2014 @ 2:22 am
Barlow ejected gold shell casings during his target practice. Branch ejected red. The shell casing at the end was red. Perhaps Branch got the drop on him!
Amy Pinson
August 6, 2014 @ 2:46 am
I certainly hope you are correct! Being the Branch and Walt fan that I am I envision Walt taking Branch under his wing and with a little tough love grooming him to take his place. And then in the end Walt rides off into the sunset, Branch takes his place and George Strait’s “This is where the cowboy rides away” is playing in the background. LOL!
Michelle Roberts
August 8, 2014 @ 12:40 am
AT THE END THEY BOTH HAD ONE RED SHELL IN THEIR GUNS!
Michelle Roberts
August 8, 2014 @ 12:41 am
it did sound more like Branch’s gun that fired than his Dad’s…..Branch’s gun wasn’t as loud as his dads
goodlistener101
August 9, 2014 @ 6:42 pm
Wow ! Great observation, I did not notice that
Midit
August 5, 2014 @ 11:37 pm
Barlow could be the one dead. The cliffhanger assumes Branch looked away at the target for too long and got shot. His rifle
was loaded. He could react knowingly and shoot Barlow before he got shot. Also, it makes life easier for the writers. Branch solves Walt’s wife’s death, suspension is lifted and back ti solving new crimes. All wraps up nicely for new season 4.
James Silva
August 5, 2014 @ 10:39 pm
Branch can’t be dead, his character has been in the forefront of the show the past few weeks and he has to come back to prove his loyalty to Walt if nothing else. Here’s hoping he comes back next year. By the way, why “next year”, why cant season 4 start in the fall of this year? Oct-Nov maybe?
Penny
August 5, 2014 @ 9:09 pm
I hope that shot gun blast actually came from eccentric Lucian (Mr. Connelly’s brother; Branch’s uncle) who walked up in time to hear the conversation, then fires a shot in the air (Lucian loves shock value) to stop their argument. Lucian will call them sissies and tell them to fight it out like real men with their fists. Walt arrives in time to stop the fight, while Lucian cusses and laughs at all of them. I’d hate to lose any of the character at this point.
Sabrina Page
August 5, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
Love this idea. The uncle is one cool dude.
Septhinox
August 6, 2014 @ 12:19 am
Well yea, he is Robocop. Lol
Amy Pinson
August 6, 2014 @ 2:47 am
Yes -great idea!
Cromaxgal
August 6, 2014 @ 3:45 am
Or Henry could have shot him