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.

Well, after one episode, this series looks promising. Mostly I would like to speak to it's authenticity, at least in regards to Indian raids. My husbands's great grandfather was Dot Babb, an Indian captive taken very much like shown in this series. His family was one of 3 ranches in northern Texas and while his father was away on a cattle drive, the Comanche Indians raided his ranch, brutally knifing and shooting an arrow through his mother to death. His baby sister was left to die (neighbors rescued her). Dot and his sister, Bianca, and the governess were taken as captives. At one point, he tried to help the governess escape and he was tied to a tree and the Comanche braves tried to break him down by shooting arrows very close to him. Then he was tied up and they put brush around him and made it look like they would set it afire. He was so stoic and showed no fear that they decided to make him a brave. He lived as a captive until his father rescued him. He was a friend of the Comanches all his life. Anyway, this part of this series is historically accurate. Dot authored a book about his captive experience and his early years as a Texan rancher, In the Bosom of the Comanches, available online through the Library of Congress. There are other captive stories similar to his and it appears perhaps these stories were used as reference for this series. So those unfamiliar with Texas history should read some actual first hand accounts by Texans.

I really did not want to become involved in another AMC show. However since Hell on Wheels finished its run and enjoying Westerns I decided to give The Son a chance. This is an excellent western well written and acted. Pierce Brosnan and cast are outstanding. Although the western frontier was considered "closed" in 1890 there seems to be issues that need to be settled even in 1915. I look forward to seeing how this series goes forward. Although Gunsmoke & earlier TV westerns were good drama The Son takes the Western to another level. At times brutal unflinching and unvarnished The Son probably presents a better idea of what the old West was really like. I enjoy the juxtaposition shown between the young Eli and the 1915 Eli. This isn't Dallas and with all due respect to the late Larry Hagman as good as he was in the role of JR Ewing, Pierce Brosnan's Eli would give JR a real run for the money.

If you're reading this maybe your like me and your late to the party too! For whatever reason I held off on this show. Maybe it's because none of the reviews really sold me or I just simply put it off. HUGE MISTAKE! In hindsight best mistake, because I was just granted the luck of watching the best 8 hours of pure brilliance and all the while I kept asking myself, how is this series not a massive, massive hit! It's like a watching a great old fashion novel. I'm not writing this to tell you what it's about, no I'm writing this to sell you this series like I wish could have been done for me. There's flashbacks to the main character to his earlier years where he's held captive and it reminds me of dances with wolves in essence, and I literally yearn for the Flashbacks. Zahn McClarnon from Fargo season 2, plays an incredible part in the flashbacks as young Eli's captor, but what that relationship becomes is a prize to watch unfold. Both timelines are so fascinating and captivating that each one can have its own TV series! each timelines plot is so stunning and stellar and the way they both intertwine is beautiful. That's the only flaw with this series is I don't want to leave a particular time period because the story is told so richly. When we leave 1850 to return to 1915, I yearn for the earlier time period. It's absolutely riveting and captivating! This series has every key ingredient to mold a masterpiece of a series! pierce brosnan is incredible as well as the additional cast! so prepare yourself for a binging experience like no other! so whatever your doing right now stop and watch The Son! You'll thank me

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.