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Who knew Taylor Sheridanreign of the titans Paramount would be such a disaster for Netflix? Well, almost everything – and a new Western series Abandoned This completely proves it.
Let's set the stage. Instead of the usual Kevin Costner-style male-dominated environment, this version of the Wild West is ruled by two matriarchs. Rich tyrant Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson) rules the town of Angels Ridge with an iron fist, determined to control every inch of it.
The Abandons is cursed by an environment beyond Netflix's control.
If any major streamer or network produces a Western these days, we look at it with keen interest. Ten years ago, no one batted an eyelid, but the genre was single-handedly revived thanks to the partnership of Sheridan and Paramount. As he continues to put out amazing shows, that leaves no room for anyone else.
For Netflix, this means that any content that isn't an automatic hit is likely to be forgotten, and I think Abandoned falls into that category. It had greater success with new western romance shows such as Ransom Canyonand I think if a streamer wants to be an industry leader in their genre, that's where they should be putting their efforts.
It sounds like Abandoned It's absolutely terrible and it's not true at all. However, it doesn't stray far from “good”. Every element of his composition is solid and delivers what it needs, but exceptional? Unforgettable? I'm not so sure about this.
Part of the problem has to do with how the main storyline plays out. In the first episode, we're thrown into a lot of plots that aren't properly explained – and I don't mean that we're naturally meant to be kept on the edge of our seats, as in a murder mystery.
For example, Fiona is originally from Ireland, and over the course of several years she managed to gather her found family at the Abandons Ranch. How she came to the US and how they all found each other becomes confusing all too quickly.
I'm all for “show, don't tell” but I need enough understanding to be fully immersed in the Western illusion. Instead, I rush around like a bystander caught in the middle of a firefight. This effect continues throughout the episode, and is not a surprising incentive to continue overeating.
Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey take care of the house
It's not all doom and gloom though – let's do my favorite thing and talk about Gillian Anderson. I don't think this is her best role of the year (it would be in Boundary violations on channel 4 in the UK), but she never shows bad results. Obviously because she's Gillian Anderson.
Constance Van Ness is everything you want in an archetypal villain: she remains calculating, cold, and cruel in every decision she makes. Here she is literally on her high horse, metaphorically (and sometimes physically) kicking every man and mongrel who dares to stand in her way. For a Gillian Anderson fan, this is everything you could want and I see new YouTube fan edits in her future.
Of course, Lena Headey isn't far behind Anderson. Fiona is as tenacious as she is determined, almost single-handedly pushing the plot forward with dangerous incidents and turning points. At the same time, she is wary and elusive, and the desire to learn more about her becomes irresistible. There aren't really many scenes between them, but when they happen, they're pure gold.
Obviously, everything these two do automatically carries more weight, but saying something good about Abandoned rests solely on their shoulders, it is unfair. Their cast is strong, and the ranch, Angels Ridge, and the natural beauty of the countryside are almost all characters in their own right.
I don't think Netflix's new Western will be the most enjoyable TV show this December, but you won't waste your time watching it either. This is, of course, a budget version of Taylor Sheridan's show (metaphorically speaking, not in terms of production values), but if you're a fan of our leading ladies, Abandoned It's a slam dunk.
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