Age Difference in Longmire is Less Problematic Than It Was Made Out to Be
So, what is the deal between Walt Longmire and Victoria "Vic" Moretti in Netflix's hit series, Longmire?
The two stars of the modern western crime drama share an intriguing if not complicated relationship. Walt (Robert Taylor) is the long-time sheriff of Absaroka County. He has a strong sense of duty and justice, and therefore cares very much about his jurisdiction.
Walt also cares about his department which, ultimately, connects the two. Vic (Katee Sackhoff) is a former Philadelphia Police Department homicide detective that now serves as Walt's deputy sheriff.
At first, the relationship between Walt and Vic is purely cordial and revolves around their police work.
However, as the seasons of Longmire progress, so does the relationship. During the later episodes, the relationship between Vic and Walt becomes far more complicated. It's evident that Walt has feelings for Vic, and the same could probably be said about the deputy sheriff (even if she relocated to Wyoming with a husband, Sean).
The hidden affection between the two characters is something that evolves throughout the six seasons of Longmire. During the series finale (S6, E10: "Goodbye Is Always Implied"), the forbidden romance reaches a climax.
Walt reveals his true feelings for Vic and the two share a kiss. Despite the heartfelt moment, not everyone found the relationship between Walt Longmire and Vic appropriate.
Even to this day, fans continue to gripe about Longmire's puppy love, particularly the age difference between the two characters.
However, for others, it's an outrageous debate. The criticism regarding the age difference between Walt and Vic is unwarranted because the TV show is based on a series of novels by Craig Johnson. In the Longmire books, Walt and Vic have a similar type of affair along with the same, sizable age gap. In fact, the difference in ages between the lovers appears by design. Walt and Vic never get married in the original novels, rather, they share a casual "friends with benefits" relationship that neither individual seems to find inappropriate.
As Annette Trinh, a self-described "Longmire Aficionado" put it: "It was obvious [Walt and Vic] both were attracted to each other, but their working relationship got in the way." Furthermore, Walt respects that Vic remains married. However, once Walt retires from the police department in season six, he's free to pursue Vic outside the boundaries of a working relationship.
It's an incredible point and only counters the arguments that the writers of Longmire rushed the series finale. It appears that Vic and Walt's relationship was six seasons in the making. Consequently, those that may find the relationship awkward or creepy should blame the books, not the movies.