Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 6 Review: The Bag and the Box

A ’79 Trans Am is at the center of the case of the week on Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 6, “The Bag and the Box.” It’s no Fast & Furious, but it is still a gripping tale to run alongside the ongoing case of what happened to the dead backpacker. 

Cormac (Luke Mitchell) follows Cassie’s (Kylie Bunbury) lead and begins to suspect his parents of hiding something, and Sunny (Reba McEntire) and Buck (Rex Linn) make a hasty, heat-of-the-moment decision out on the trail that may threaten the safety of their secrets.

Thankfully, the issue of slow pacing—as mentioned in my review of Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 5, “Flesh and Blood”—has been corrected; the events of this episode make the hour fly by. 

The Trans Am case showcases the fine detective and police work done by Sheriff Beau Arlen (Jensen Ackles), Under Sheriff Jenny Hoyt (Kathryn Winnick), and Deputy Poppernak (J. Anthony Pena). The trio gels and has an entertaining rapport, but especially Jenny and Beau.

The best of their flirting on Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 5, “Flesh and Blood,” is teased on the “Previously on” for this episode, and they make good on it with lighthearted banter throughout.

Everybody flirts with Jenny on this episode, not just the charming sheriff, so much so that it becomes a noticeable theme. Most curiously is the flattering uniformed cop who lays it on pretty thick with Detective Hoyt. It’s too odd to be a one-off, so I expect him to pop up again down the line. 

If I’m wrong, however, just chalk up the romantic robocop to another in the long line of eccentric side characters that pass through Big Sky country.

Speaking of offbeat characters, we get the treat of seeing Donno (Ryan O’Nan) and Walter (Seth Gabel) try to out-weird each other.

Spoiler alert: Donno wins. Donno always wins.

Donno and Tonya (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) make quicker progress than Cassie in their own investigation into the missing camper. Once again, the addition of Tonya and Donna is hugely welcome—the oddly-sweet odd couple brings quirky humor and violence to the energy of Big Sky.

The series excels in the department of unusual side characters and guest stars. There are no small roles on Big Sky, only small actors. 

It’s nice to see things amping up, and the ending of this hints at even more excitement to come.

What did you think of this episode of Big Sky: Deadly Trails? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Big Sky: Deadly Trails airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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