30/32
A Montana ranching family faces off against others encroaching on their land. Forrie J. Smith, who plays Lloyd, is a seasoned rodeo hand. John Dutton (Kevin Costner) often seems to “forget” his Montana accent and reverts to his usual SoCal voice. Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Summer TV Shows Not to Watch (2018). (Review is for the first two seasons only) I came into this show not expecting to like it, but the storyline, acting, and cinematography are superb. Basically, it’s Montana mob wars with intermittent giant doses of testosterone (gun-toting cowboys on horses while fishing)! Costner is a master actor and the Duttons lead. The show is at its best when it shows the chessboard moves the Duttons and their enemies engage in. The show stalls early in the second season but starts rolling again halfway through. Kelsey Asbille is the weak link as Monica and plays her part poorly, the plot is awkwardly abandoned and the acting is far from up to par. I think Cole Hauser as Rip is perhaps the best actor (aside from Costner himself) and I was looking forward to every scene that Rip was in. Thomas Rainwater is also great. The plot hums and the setting is beautiful. Just as Cormac McCarthy’s “All The Pretty Horses” was a little more raw and brutal than the title suggests, this show hits the same spot. I highly recommend it and wish I hadn’t waited so long to watch it.