WARNING: Spoilers for Outer Range episodes 3 and 4.
Outer Range has already started to give some answers about the Void and the rules of time travel, but the show is still hiding several secrets about who Autumn is, where she comes from, and what she really wants. Amazon's sci-fi drama sees the story of a family caught in the middle of a sinister mystery while dealing with a variety of everyday problems. As the tension and stakes rise, so does the mystery involving the Abbott family, Autumn, and the strange things that are happening around them.
While Outer Range deals with issues such as land disputes and the influence of money on politics, it is in its sci-fi element that the show shines most. At the center of this mystery is Autumn, who at first seemed to be just a wanderer looking for a place to stay but turned out to be one of the most important characters in Outer Range. The poet who rarely gives a clear answer about her life is as or more interested in the Void's mystery than Royal and seems to know a lot more about what is going on than he does. However, she seemed surprised to discover – or at least confirm – that Royal had traveled through time by falling into the hole. That said, Autumn already had plenty of information about the Void, thus making it more likely that she has a hidden connection with either the Void itself or Royal.
All of this makes the mystery of Autumn's identity even more complicated. The character also has a particular interest in the Abbott family, especially in the disappearance of Perry's wife. There is also the strange phenomenon of the mountain's disappearance that occurred just as Royal's hands touched Autumn in what was a very Twin Peaks sight, not to mention the necklace carrying a stone that seems to have some sort of special property. Considering all these clues and hints, here is a roundup of three theories that might explain who Autumn really is.
Autumn Could Be Royal’s Sister
Royal's recluse temper hides a rather dark past. It had initially been established that Royal got separated from his family at a very young age and was adopted by another, but episode 4 added extra detail to the story. Royal decided to abandon his home after his father's death and left his mother and younger sister behind. No one else knew of this sister's existence, and Royal only mentioned her to Rhett.
Considering how connected Royal and Autumn seem to be, it could be that she is his lost sister who returned to settle things with him. Autumn is younger than Josh Brolin's character, so their ages add up, and would explain why she is so interested in him. Autumn may have found a way to track him after she grew up and then finally found him after so many years. This may also have something to do with the stone attached to the necklace, which may be something Royal re from his childhood. That said, Autumn simply being Royal's sister would fail to explain her connection to the Void, the drawings, and the temporal anomaly. It also would not explain why she does not reveal that she is his sister, although that could be because Autumn wishes to get revenge for being abandoned.
Autumn Could’ve Come From The Future
One explanation for the mountain's disappearance and why Autumn seems to know so much about the Void is that she came from the future. She had drawings of Outer Range's Void before Royal even discovered it, she knew its approximate location before talking to Royal for the first time and hinted at knowing what happened to Perry's missing wife. She also says she does not have any memories from before a certain age, which is also strange. All that considered, it could be that Autumn comes from the future, fell into the Void as a kid, lost her memories in the process, and ended up growing up in the “wrong” timeline. More than the missing memory, Autumn having come from the future would explain the occurrence of odd events near her, most notably the disappearance of the mountain and the visions Royal had. This could also explain the importance of the necklace, whose stone that it is made of could have come from the future along with Autumn.
Autumn Could Be Amy From The Future
It is possible that Autumn not only came from the future but is also the future version of a character the audiences already know: Amy, the granddaughter of Josh Brolin's Royal. Autumn seemed very interested in the story of Perry, Amy's father, and especially in his missing wife. Autumn was quite thrilled to discuss the matter with him and suggested she knew something about Rebecca's whereabouts. Autumn also insisted on seeing a picture of Perry's wife. If Autumn somehow is Amy from the future, that would explain the interest not only in the Abbott family but also in Perry and Rebecca.
Autumn also had a strange moment with Amy where they both talked about the Abbott family and its sigil. There is a resemblance in of how they look, so it could be that Autumn is really Amy from the future in a very sci-fi movie twist. Amy and Autumn are also similar in how they question Royal, and if they're the same person it would explain why Autumn talks to Royal as if she's known him for a long time. It is possible that Amy lived through all the trouble the Void caused, and then went back in time to try to protect her family or find out more about Rebecca.
The secrets behind Outer Range are still closely guarded, but discovering who Autumn is could be the key to unlocking the series' biggest mysteries. While the three aforementioned theories can explain the character's actions and motivations, it is also possible that Autumn's story is something audiences have not even considered yet. Whether she is a time traveler, someone from Royal's past, or just someone with a special interest in the Void, the fate of Royal and the Abbotts partially lies in Autumn’s hands.
Prime Video releases new episodes of Outer Range every Friday.