'Godless': Why Netflix's Brutal, Timely Western Is a Must-See
For as much as Griffin's prophecy hang over the show, Godless expands in many different directions over its seven-episode sprawl, a few of which top out at 70-75 minutes long. Frank talks about poring over history books and novels to get an authentic feel for the American West, but as a genre specialists, he rattles off an endless series of cinematic touchstones, too. Like Rio Bravo , the show is about local jailers having to protect the gunslinger they've arrested from an outside attack – only here the sheriff (Scoot McNairy) wanders out of town and the inmate (Jack O'Connell) is sheltered by a woman (Michelle Dockery) who springs him to work on her ranch. And like McCabe and Mrs. Miller , the fate of a mining town falls to the encroaching forces of big business and its well-armed agents.
The big hook of the show, however, reveals another, more optimistic truth about the Old West as a land of possibility and reinvention. Much of the action takes place in the literal no-man's-land of La Belle, a town run almost entirely by women courtesy of a silver-mine collapse that killed off their husbands. Two years later, they're approached by arrogant businessmen who promise to revive the mine, bringing money and men back into town, but the late mayor's feisty widow Mary Agnes isn't eager to concede. She wears her dead husband's clothes. She's sleeping with a former prostitute. She's devastatingly quick on the draw.
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/godless-why-netflixs-brutal-timely-western-is-a-must-see-w512344
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Anybody watching Godless?
Not yet, but it looks like fun. I'll see if I can find it...
I binge watched all 7 episodes this weekend (in between my other activities). It reminded me of a mix between the 2004 series Deadwood and the John Wayne Clint Eastwood flicks. AWESOME!!!!
I also like that it was a mini series. I think it helped preserve the story line unlike those series that go on forever until they run out of ideas and turn into horrible soap operas. hahahaha
If you get the opportunity and you can streamline Netflix I highly recommend it. I'm also watching the mini series Alienist on TNT. That's pretty good too.
This is one that I started watching and then forgot about. Thanks for reminding me. Michelle Dockery is one of my favorite characters from Downton Abbey (Lady Mary).
Indeed. Thumbs up on this bit of darkness. Merritt Wever's character portrayal is right up there with Lebowski, Bart from Dirk Gently, Lagertha, and such. In my humble hillbilly opine that character should have it's own series.
Good stuff. I do love me some Oaters.
If you like Jack O'Connell check this out sometime: