Dutton Ranch

Dutton Ranch is a good show.   Having seen and enjoyed Yellowstone, I knew what I was getting into.  No matter where Beth and Rip go, peace isn't an option.  Things start off rocky right off the bat for the two and I can't say it gets better for them.  That said, the chaos isn't of their doing.  Now how they handle the chaos is what we've grown to know and love about the pair.  Me and pop enjoyed the show.  If you liked Yellowstone, I think you'll like Dutton Ranch.

Marshals Season 1

Marshals:  Pop and I finished season 1 and enjoyed it. It's a Yellowstone spinoff but it's not like it in many ways.  Not near as much violence, cursing and romantic moments.  It feels more like a classic television show, and it was aired on CBS.  The show follows Kayce Dutton as he becomes a US Marshall in Montana.  Since he can stay at home while working with the team, there's plenty of same issues seen in Yellowstone.  But being a US Marshal, it takes on a new look with new team members while bringing back some Yellowstone veterans.  The series really develops the different characters while working cases that fall their way.  It's a good watch.  I liked it.  

Yellowstone 1923 (2022-2025)

1923 is another Yellowstone prequel saga pop and I watched.  Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford headline the cast and they both do a great job as matriarch and patriarch of the Duttons in this series.  It ran two seasons (15 episodes) and was very enjoyable.  As with the main Yellowstone series, this one centers around the Duttons trying to protect their land, their family and their way of life.  A little trepidation over some of the spicy scenes especially in season 2 but otherwise no complaints.  Really good characters and a good buildup that starts from the first episode and reaches a head in the final episode.

Alexandra (Alex) and Spencer are two of the main characters and have a major story arc in the series.  Hard not to like these two.

Yellowstone Television Series (2018-2024)

Pop and I finished the Yellowstone series last year.  We enjoyed it.  The series centers around the Dutton family who owns the Yellowstone ranch and have to fight external forces who want to take their land and their way of life.  It's hard not to side with them no matter how brutal they are in the defense of their land.  Wyoming is beautiful and who doesn't dream of doing something so simple as raise cattle and be left alone to enjoy life in such a setting.  

It's not a series for the faint of heart, but the western appeal and drama easily suck you in.  The characters are easy to like in spite of their ways.  They do a great job giving them each their story whether it's the extend storylines around the family, or the ranch hands or the characters from the local Reservation.  Good series have good characters and good acting and Yellowstone has both. Kevin Costner obviously stands out amongst the cast, but you'll end up invested in the majority of the characters making up this story.  And if you're a guy, you'll want to want to be Rip Wheeler by the time it's over.  And if you're a lady, you'll want your guy to be Rip Wheeler by the end of it.

The 5 seasons of Yellowstone are drama from the start.  There are so many who want their land for their own reasons, and they'll do anything to get it.  That's where it gets "fun".  I recommend Yellowstone but again there is a brutality to the show that may not be for everyone.  

The Yellowstone 1883 television series is one of my favorite series of all-time.  This one isn't as good as that one in my opinion, but again I give Yellowstone my stamp of approval.  I believe it is streaming on Peacock now.  Tomorrow, I'll take a look at Yellowstone 1923.

1883 TV Mini Series

 

1883: 1883 is a Yellowstone origin story starring Tim McGraw, Sam Elliott, Faith Hill, and Isabel May.  I'll do a review of Yellowstone at some point after the series ends but 1883 has been out for some time and my pop and I watched the entire mini-series.  We really enjoyed it.  It has a different tone than Yellowstone but stays true to expectations.  The cast do a great job while Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan does an amazing job telling this prequel story.  At the same time you'll get a new appreciation for anyone who made the trip West in search of a new home.  The stars of the show really do make this a fun watch.  The basic plot is the Dutton family heads West to Oregon with Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) leading the wagon train that includes the Duttons and European settlers wanting to make a new home out West.  You'll laugh, you'll cringe and you'll cry.  It runs the gamut.  No need to go into too many details but I highly recommend the show.  It can be watched as a standalone. You don't have to know Yellowstone in any way.  This is just a good western.  

Margaret Dutton (Faith Hill) and James Dutton (Tim McGraw)

James Dutton (Tim McGraw) and his daughter Elsa Dutton (Isabel May)