Netflix's New Western Series Draws Comparisons to Yellowstone, But It's Not Quite Accurate.

Netflixs latest offering, The Abandons, seems on paper like a surefire hit. A Western action drama, it features a familiar ensemble and is created by Kurt Sutter, the mind behind FXs Sons of Anarchy. The storyline promises intrigue: set in 1850s Oregon, it follows a group of orphans, now in their twenties, adopted by Irish immigrant Fiona Mam Nolan (Lena Headey). The siblings are a diverse mixElias (Nick Robinson) and Dahlia (Diana Silvers) are white, Albert (Lamar Johnson) is Black, and Lilla (Natalia del Riego) is Lakota Sioux.

They face off against the Van Ness family, led by Constance (Gillian Anderson) after her husbands death. Constance often contrasts her familys traditional lineage with Fionas unconventional household. Garret (Lucas Till) is the attractive heir, Willem (Toby Hemingway) is unpredictable, and Trisha (Aisling Franciosi), the youngest, is sheltered yet kind. Michael Greyeyes portrays Jack, a Cree advisor whose loyalty to Constance is strong but limited.

Both Fiona and Constance are formidable in their own ways. Headeys Fiona, hardened by a difficult childhood in Ireland, is willing to fight, perform brutal medical procedures, and protect her children at any cost. Constance, in contrast, orchestrates violence through retainers while maintaining a polished and commanding presence. The dynamic sets up a compelling matriarchal clash, a battle of widows intertwined with class tensions in the emerging American West.

The show features the hallmarks of a Sutter production: gritty violence, cameo appearances (including Clayton Cardenas), and Katey Sagal as an aging madam. Yet, Sutter departed before production wrapped, reportedly due to creative disagreements with Netflix. This abrupt exit leaves the series with a hurried pace and a sense of incompletion, as if the story is reluctant to fully unfold.

Backstories of the orphans and the Van Ness family are mostly conveyed through present-day dialogue rather than flashbacks, leaving some narrative threads underdeveloped. Social issues of the 19th century are touched on superficiallythe orphans outsider status, racial tensions, and conflicts with the local Cayuse tribe are hinted at but never fully explored. The result is a series that raises intriguing possibilities without delving deeply into them.

Despite frequent comparisons to Yellowstone, The Abandons shares only the broad theme of land disputes between families. Stylistically, it aligns more closely with the raw, atmospheric Westerns of Deadwood and American Primeval, emphasizing grim realism and harsh landscapes over polished grandeur. The storys outcome is often bleak, with few characters achieving their desires, adding to the shows dark tone.

Scenes like the town of Angel Springs, cluttered and chaotic, convey a sense of natural decay and danger, exemplified by a bear wandering the streets. Moments like these hint at the potential for deep, gritty storytelling reminiscent of classic Westerns. However, without richer character development, the full impact of these events remains elusive. With only seven episodes and Netflixs history of abrupt cancellations, its uncertain whether the series will have the chance to fully explore its complex narrative.

Author: Sophia Brooks