Netflix's Yellowstone Counterpart Falls Short, Offering Only a Disastrous Viewing Experience (Review)
Gather 'round, folks! Time to dish on a little dud of a TV show called "Ransom Canyon."
Let's get the lowdown:
- Streaming service: Netflix
- Setting: Welcome y'all to Ransom Canyon, nestled in the crimson mesas of Texas Hill Country. It's home to three ranchin' family dynasties battling for land control and dealin' with forces threatenin' to ruin their livelihood. At the heart of it all is ranch hand Staten Kirkland (played by Josh Duhamel), who's got his sights set on healin' from heartache and seekin' revenge. Dead center of his hope? Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly), owner of the local dancehall and a longtime family pal. But a mysterious cowboy rolls into town, stirring up dirt from the past. The noose tightens, and Staten's gotta protect the land that's his heart and home.
- Cast: Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, James Brolin, Eoin Macken, Lizzy Greene, Garrett Wareing, Andrew Liner, Jack Schumacher, Marianly Tejada, and Philip Winchester
- Episodes: You sure you want to watch ten episodes worth of this mess?
So, here's the scoop:
When Netflix announced their plans for "Ransom Canyon," it was clear they aimed to cash in on the "Yellowstone" craze. But did they hit the jackpot or strike out?
Well, my partner and I gave it a whirl, and I gotta say, anything resemblin' excitement I had disappeared almost immediately. This show's worse than an "SNL" roast of "Yellowstone." It borders on unwatchable.
You can't tell if "Ransom Canyon" is a mystery, a romance, a Western, a thriller, or a thematic rip-off of some Taylor Sheridan universe. Instead of pickin' a lane and thrivin', the show's scatterbrained and can't seem to get its act together.
And the shirt-snappin' cherry on top? They blatantly pilfer the "man protectin' his land" theme from "Yellowstone." But there's also a convict-turned-spy character stirrin' up a land feud between a ranch and an energy company. Take a wild guess – every character seems to have skeletons in their closet, hopped up on Mountain Dew and thoughts of melodrama.
The acting? I've seen worse in a community theater production. How Netflix managed to wring performances out of Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly that would make your eyes water is beyond me.
I thought "Ransom Canyon" would be a car crash. I just didn't know how bad it would be. It's gotta rank among the worst shows I've ever seen after a few episodes.
But if you reckon differently, let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@ouremag. My fiancée and I have quite the discussion goin' on about it. And if y'all are in the mood for somethin' less painful, head on over to our website and sign up for The Daily. We've got a brand spankin' new look and the usual attitude. So, don't miss out!
Enrichment Data Insights:
Critical Reception: The series has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who have called it a Western soap opera with inconsistent plotting, cringy romantic elements, and uneven pacing. On the other hand, it has been praised for its visual aesthetics and diverse cast.
Diversity and Representation: The show features a diverse ensemble cast, including Native American actors and mixed or biracial characters.
Premise and Setting: The show has been compared to other romance-centric shows like "Virgin River" and is set in the beautiful landscape of Texas Hill Country. Love, drama, and personal conflicts are the main focuses of the narrative.
- The cowboy stirring up dirt in Ransom Canyon seems to have ransom-worthy secrets from the past.
- Despite the stoic facade, Staten Kirkland is finding it hard to keep his focus on his ranch amidst the entertainment of movies-and-TV other than his horse.
- The odds of Ransom Canyon being as successful as the popular series Yellowstone appear to be severely against it, according to critic David Hookstead.
- Despite the disagreements about Ransom Canyon's quality, the show caters to diverse audiences, featuring a varied cast and representing the beautiful Staten Island-like landscapes of Texas Hill Country.
