Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Are You Mad?
The first part of the Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 finale, Episode 12, “Are You Mad?” coasts on the fumes of the episode before it; but, by the end, it sets the stage for an explosive second part.
Fingers crossed, at least.
I think I finally have to admit that I’m not loving Big Sky for this “Deadly Trails” season. Only at times has it shown to be the chaotic, messy, ridiculous melodrama that first captured my heart. Describing an episode within “Deadly Trails” to someone who doesn’t watch the show is not nearly as fun as it was to regale others with the outrageousness of the series from the past two seasons.
The only thing of note I have to say is that Reba McEntire is on this one.
I love me some Reba. Really, I do. But, the country music legend hasn’t been given a whole lot to work with. Sure, it’s great to have her play a character in this atmosphere with the already established cast, but there’s yet to be the opportunity for her to play with the role in an exciting way.
The mama bear protecting her cub storyline could have gone to wild places—and maybe it still will in the final episode—but that relationship wasn’t fostered very well for us to invest too much into it. Nor does it connect or relate to the other parent/child dynamics this season. There seemed to be a theme to connect Sunny and Walter to Jenny and Gigi (Patricia Arquette).
But, then again, perhaps that’s me trying to find some depth when there is none.
Many of the procedural elements this season have been forced, like the main plot was weak on the page and needed to be beefed up. But adding completely tangential stories has hurt the flow of the one that is supposed to be the beating heart of the season.
See what I did there?
The end of the episode provides the majority of the action with plot points that move the story, but there’s not a lot of build up before it. As a result, we get these short bursts of tension and emotion, however they are nothing more than quick fixes.
With Donno getting shot as the exception. Please don’t kill Donno!
Aside from that, the showdown at the saloon is pretty ho-hum. Tex, the Lyle Lovett cameo, dips out right before the action, and the Toronto Triplets—who are not “real triplets” as Donno points out—are not a very charming replacement.
And, good riddance to Avery—an insufferable character who meets a very expected end. He will be …missed?
Who knows, Big Sky may surprise with an epic finale that puts all these complaints to bed. I’d love to see the show end this season on a strong note.
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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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.
One thought on “Big Sky: Deadly Trails Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Are You Mad?”
This season has been okay, but some of the characters have been hard to watch and I wish they had never been in the show. Avery and Beaus ex were both irritating along with the little thug threatening Avery. It would have been great to see Jenny and Beau become an item or Cassie and Cormac. Walter’s feelings for Paige were so sweet and I hope that he helps bring down Buck. Please don’t let Donno be dead! It’s funny how you can go from despising a character to caring about them. The kiss that Tonya planted on Donno was amazing!
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