Yup!

So the highly anticipated show we've been waiting months for finally premieres and the opening scene of a mangled highway wreck is being meticulously picked apart.

Never change TexAgs...Never Change

I will agree both that the acting started out kinda rough but once things started to move it seemed to get better and yes the constant deep thought analogy/metaphor dialogues were noticeable. Not to the point of annoying or taking away from the episode but I did notice them.

Overall I thought it was well done and enjoyed it. I'm in for the long haul. I interested to see not only see where it goes but also to learn some of the character's backstory on how they got to where they are.

Saw the premier last night as I was busy Wednesday. Some of the tertiary characters had some cringeworthy acting, but it was minor and quick so no big deal really. I was kind of underwhelmed by the premier but it was definitely good enough to continue. I think it's going to get better.

chiken said:

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She makes the show very easy to watch!

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People are upset because she's half Chinese and not Indian but plays an Indian. She says she's part Cherokee so they have hunted down her family tree and can find no specific evidence. I guess they don't know where Indians came from just 15,000 years ago.

Duncan Idaho said:

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Squirrel Master said:

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Sepinwall describing it as Sons of Anarchy set on horses in Montana.

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Jesus. Christ

For reference...and this is just season one.

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By the way, Taylor Sheridan's line is at 0:54.

Theory incoming. Nothing groundbreaking, but after a clunky start it seems to have the pieces in place. I'll give it a couple more episodes.

I thought it was interesting that there was a line to the effect of "You want to build subdivisions, move to Dallas"... intended as a repudiation of the TV show as well as the city?

Also, as an oil and gas professional, it was refreshing that for once the industry got an appearance without being the bad guy. How sad is it that that scene feels like a step forward from a PR standpoint?

John Dutton, the father, is obviously the main character. I think that will become more apparent as the series progresses, but this first episode needed to establish the other main characters and set the stage. Each of his children, aside from their plot responsibilities and what I expect will come to include complexities of their own, is an avatar for an aspect of John Dutton's character.


Kayce Dutton, the son who married the Indian girl, represents idealism
Beth Dutton represents ruthless aggression
Jamie Dutton, the lawyer son... I'm not sure on him yet. So far everything he has seems to be had more by Beth. He'll be important for moving a second political plotline forward, and I'm thinking he could end up representing the wish to capitulate
Lee Dutton, the foreman, represented the simple rancher who loves the land and the life

At this point, Dutton the rancher is symbolically dead with his idealism hidden away. Beth the vengeful a****** and Jamie the (conniving?) lawyer are ascendant. Who are they fighting?

The indian tribe represents the past. They have a powerful, connected chief who has instigated violence to gain publicity. The developer represents the future. Dutton is in a conservative role. He wants things to stay the way they are, not go back to the way they were or move into the future.

I suspect a lot of this series is going to end up taking place in courtrooms and offices. I hope it doesn't settle for simple "look at the rich white man, he needs to give up his stuff" sermonizing. I'm sure it'll happen a couple times, but as long as it doesn't become a theme.

Thought it was great. After dealing with the pure insanity of Legion this is a welcome change.

And I love Sheridan's dialogue. It's one of his best characteristics. Can't wait for the next episode.

Sex Panther said:

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Thought it was great. After dealing with the pure insanity of Legion this is a welcome change.

And I love Sheridan's dialogue. It's one of his best characteristics. Can't wait for the next episode.

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"Leverage is knowing if someone had all the money in the world, this is what they would buy."

I'm not a fan of the dialogue. It doesn't seem natural.

The scenery is amazing. Some interesting story lines.

I think however, anytime someone in Hollywood has the urge to film a calf-pulling scene...they need to just fight that urge. I have yet to see it done right.

Even if they don't get it right, I appreciate when they show the dirty messy hard work side of things instead of making it all scenic vistas and galloping freely across the plains. Now they just need an episode that consists of two full hours of sweating profusely and screaming curses at horse flies.

Good gravy. Now we're criticizing calf pull scenes?

Nm

The calf did get up and run away 2 seconds after it was born.

I feel like most people know that doesn't happen.

Finally finished the first episode. I really liked it. The first ep is always a little scattered for most shows, but i felt like the second half of the show really came together.

I thought they were setting up for a showdown between the return of the Prodigal Son, and the son who was 'working' the ranch...but that theory ended pretty quickly.

The Prodigal son story line is pretty interesting, since he's already torn between the Indians (wife and kid) and his family's ranch.

I like that there are so many forces at play. You have the established ranch fighting for survival...but it's fighting the new world, as well as the old world.

AgGrad99 said:

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The Prodigal son story line is pretty interesting, since he's already torn between the Indians (wife and kid) and his family's ranch.

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I couldn't tell due to all the moving parts at the time and haven't gone back to watch that scene, but was he pushing the cattle back to the ranch or trying to keep them on the reservation?

hurleyag said:

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AgGrad99 said:

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The Prodigal son story line is pretty interesting, since he's already torn between the Indians (wife and kid) and his family's ranch.

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I couldn't tell due to all the moving parts at the time and haven't gone back to watch that scene, but was he pushing the cattle back to the ranch or trying to keep them on the reservation?

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I think he was trying to scatter the herd in an effort to break up the confrontation.

Yeah, that whole scene was a bit confusing (probably meant to be), but I think he was trying to scatter them in an effort to keep them on the reservation....or maybe end the confrontation like Belton said.

But after the Indian Granddad made it clear to him he had to choose a side, I dont think he was trying to be neutral.

It also plays into his struggle now. He screwed up on both sides....His actions put his brother in harms way, which ultimately got him killed, and he shot/killed his wife's brother.

Entertaining episode last night. Interesting watching this chess game unfold between Dutton and Rainwater. I think Rainwater having the Reservation officer take credit for the burnt guy is going to be what saves the son when they later on try to compare the two execution deaths.

I don't think Casey is actually Dutton's son. If you look at the family photo that they daughter broke it appears to be the mother and three kids, a daughter and two sons. That would possibly explain the Y brand on Casey's chest. Just a theory.

interesting...I didnt catch that.

I really like this show so far.

But my only complaint is that some scenes aren't tied in very well, and are too 'convenient'.

They just happened to be driving by a meth lab explosion, which fortuitously allowed him to get rid of evidence that will be extremely important later on? (the slide on his pistol) It would have made more sense if they were going to visit a cousin or friend, who'd been introduced earlier in the show (sketchy cousin that's typically in trouble or something along those lines). Maybe let him shoot himself, rather than Casey shooting him? It was just too convenient/obvious for all that to happen so easily.

The scene with the medical examiner...he seemed to just go along with his own murder. It would have been better had they laced his embalming fluid with something, knocking him out and then carrying out the fake suicide, or even just destroying evidence while he was knocked out, rather than killing him. With all the evidence gone, whose going to believe the word of a drug addict with his past?

Again, I really like the show. Just some of the parts are a little too easy.

Can't they now compare the two bullets and link Casey to both?

No, because the police officer now has his 'gun'...and they are covering up the scene and falsifying the report.

So they can use that against him, but would have to admit to what they did as well.

I thought it was weird that the police thought what he did was okay. For some reason I thought it was their chance to get his gun so they could run tests later and match the two shootings.

I did too at first.

I have absolutley loved this series so far.

AgGrad99 said:

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I really like this show so far.

But my only complaint is that some scenes aren't tied in very well
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It was just too convenient/obvious for all that to happen so easily.
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Again, I really like the show. Just some of the parts are a little too easy.

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I'd apply those same sentiments to anything Sheridan's done before. Great settings and story ideas and the execution always seems to need just a little tightening up.

Now that you mention it, that was my beef with HOHW (with the screwup brother all the sudden the hero)

One thing about Casey and the officer...What does the slide have to do with anything? Isn't it the barrel that would matter when it comes to matching bullets? Can someone clarify?

Overall though pretty good episode as things seemed to fall into place a bit more.

And I agree I'm thinking Casey isn't a Dutton or maybe a child from another mother. That's the first thing I thought when I saw the brand on his chest.

Ag_07 said:

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One thing about Casey and the officer...What does the slide have to do with anything? Isn't it the barrel that would matter when it comes to matching bullets? Can someone clarify?

Overall though pretty good episode as things seemed to fall into place a bit more.

And I agree I'm thinking Casey isn't a Dutton or maybe a child from another mother. That's the first thing I thought when I saw the brand on his chest.

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On the Glock (which is what they had), the slide assembly contains the barrel and firing pin. That's what they switched out.

Well now it makes perfect sense. Thanks

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And I agree I'm thinking Casey isn't a Dutton or maybe a child from another mother.

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The daughter said something about promising the mom that they would all protect Casey because she was his favorite. Something along those lines.

I doubt he would be her favorite if they weren't related.

I think they're related -and the community recognizes him as a son, but Ibsuspect there's something non-standard about the deal. The clues are there; they're leading us to that conclusion.

Yeah with what was said when Jesse was branded and with how that scene in the bunkhouse went down it's being insinuated that the brand means something.

Been trying to figure out what the branding means as well.

Theory: Kayce is adopted. Got the brand trying to prove that he belongs. When the dead wife died, the father said mean things to everyone, told them all to leave, because they remind him of his wife. In that episode, he told Kayce he would never really be a Dutton. Kayce leaves and joins the military and the rift never heals the way it mostly did with the others. The same episode may explain some things about the daughter, too.