The Crossing

Not a bad episode but flat compared to the previous ones, more death, first kisses and loss, too much emotion and too little plot or action.

Some of the scenes reflected low budget or money saving photography also Faith Hill overacts a lot, she's permanently on stage, she's always got a look or a comment, it's too much.

This piece of music, Moonlight Sonata Op.27 No.2 (Beethoven) was masterfully placed underlining the emotion and drama of this episode of the pioneers' journey. This underlines once more the quality and the sensitivity of the scriptwriters as well as the direction never sinking into sensationalism or voyeurism but well in the accuracy and the nuance.

Undoubtedly a spectacular episode, it's a bit slow but it's beautiful to look at, ELSA's narration sounds like poetry, I'm looking forward to the next one!!!

There's a romantic strain to this episode, with something of a respite from the harsh, violent-tinged action that has launched this rugged series. But Sheridan's script is careful to continue the sense of life & death consequences of the immigrants' decision to seek a new land.

Also, the hard edges of the central character, starting with taciturn Moses-like Sam Elliott, are being softened a bit, expanding them toward 3-dimensional figures. Sheridan's ability to balance his lead players with significant supporting roles, so efficiently demonstrated on "Yellowstone", is solidly on view here.

A wonderful scene has Elsa playing a piano that must be left behind at the river crossing to underscore the silent horrors of the actual crossing, the type of elegiac touch that separates Sheridan's approach from both traditional and revisionist Westerns.

This show plays out like a movie. The cinematography is beautiful. I love the relationships between these characters. Elsa playing the Moonlight Sonata during the river crossing was extremely creative and emotional. So good!