The Son

I am only through the first two episodes, but I created an IMDb account just so I could review this program. It's awesome. Don't let the negative reviews keep you from watching it. I'm a seventh generation Texan from South Texas. It's as if the mythology of my family history has come to life. For anyone doubting the historical accuracy of the writing, simply google Mary Hefferman of Beeville, Texas for a brutal account of the violent clashes between whites and Indians. Or read up on the legacy of the famous King Ranch, whose Running W brand no doubt provided the inspiration for the McCoullough family ranch brand. The mythical depiction of the oil, the politics, the violence, the opulence, and the toughness of the people is all very real. Don't let some dumb dumbs who aren't from Texas tell you it isn't, because it is.

The series opens with what I would say is at least a 14 year-old boy being taken captive in 1849. The future is identified as 1915. That means the boy would be 80 years old. Seeing him on a horseback posse and being very physical in many ways doesn't make sense to me. Am I missing something?

In 1849 central Texas, young Eli McCullough (Jacob Lofland) is the sole survivor when his family homestead is attacked by Comanche warriors. Tribal leader Toshaway takes him as his property. Prairie Flower takes an interest in him which makes her suitor Charges the Enemy a foe. Ingrid is another captive. In 1915, Eli (Pierce Brosnan) is a cattle baron and independence war hero. He sees the coming change and searches for oil on his property. His son Pete is heir apparent. They battle Mexican revolutionaries who are fighting to return Texas to Mexico. They have a long complicated history with their Garcia neighbors. Pete has his wife Sally but also has a history with Maria Garcia. When Eli suspects oil under the Garcia property, it sets off a series of tragic events.

AMC is trying for prestige television and Pierce Brosnan is very much the biggest part of that effort. The ambition is great but it never reaches the heights. The biggest issue is that it's hard to care about this family. Eli is evil and Pete is pathetic. It is not the most likeable characteristics. It's like Breaking Bad but starting at the end when Walter White is a brutal drug dealer. It's a completely different journey and it's off-putting. One can't revel in his evil brutality because of his inner moral conflict build up over his lifetime. It's hard to know whether to root for the man or not. It would help if Pete is not so weak and the father son rivalry has a better balance. Pete's many hangdog retreats are repetitive and infuriating. It's hard to care about him and his inner conflict. I can see the young Eli story as a compelling first season. The time jumping takes away the character growth of Eli. It's a hard conundrum. Brosnan needs to be the lead of the show. This show has high hopes but gets canceled after two seasons.

This is a top-tier production in terms of acting, writing, directing, cinematography and the effort put into to accurately recreate 1915 south Texas. At first, I was a bit uncertain about Pierce Brosnan's seemingly self-conscious portrayal and iffy accent (he's an Irishman playing a Texan), but he quickly, comfortably settles in to his compelling character. The other actors are of the highest caliber, particularly the show's namesake played by Henry Garrett. The scenery is also beautifully shot. And the biggest surprise is the story itself, which becomes engrossing within 30 minutes into the pilot episode. I expect very, very good things from this show. Once again AMC proves they are serious about quality television, and I do hope viewers reward "The Son" because it entirely deserves your attention.

I should add a few people have noted some time-line discrepancies. These may exist, but they are completely unimportant. Some of the other reviews here seem to nitpick over ridiculous irrelevancies. I do not know how these people can enjoy television! We have to remember a product like this costs tremendous money for a television studio trying out an unproven new show without any guarantee of ratings, and we should at least be admiring of the effort put in.

After only 1 season and 2 years later AMC is releasing the FINAL season of The Son here soon. Frankly I don't get it, and can't for the life of me figure out why these good shows end up canceling great TV shows. I mean come on, 2 seasons of the Son and these writers can't come up with a new narrative? Gimme a break! These networks need to get it together! On some level they owe to the fans. Very selfish Network Bigwigs