Behind Us, a Cliff

I was expecting dry acting and stiffness from the country music stars. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill surprised me. Now, Sam Elliot, he brings a depth to his characters, as always. And the "out of nowhere" addition of Billy Bob Thornton was a marvel. He has such a range of ability. He can be the nicest of guys and the meanest and nastiest. I was totally looking forward to Sam Elliot, but McGraw and Hill caught me off guard. I am already totally in awe of Tim McGraw and his mastery of the role. Taylor Sheridan could not have chosen anyone better. Already, in only episode 2, I am finding more to love than Yellowstone. Kevin Costner move aside, Tim McGraw just stole the show.

"There's only one killer in Ft. Worth and that's me..." Billy. Bob. Thornton.

Isabel May(Elsa D.) continues her radiance, her narration is fantastic, her femininity truly shines, and is needed, with the hyper masculinity from the male cast. The contrast truly makes her, and the show, shine. Faith Hill was also excellent, I expect her character will be given more to work with throughout the season. As good as the first episode, some really, really good T. V.

Our hero McGraw's Civil War flashback was an inspired way to put this prequel into context -it's not merely abou a Western dynasty built by rugged folk that led to Costner's sprawling Yellowstone ranch, but of course has a background of its own. , adding other dimensions to these archetypal characters.

I suspect it's the sincerity of Sheridan reimagining pulp genres (how far from Dime Novels has this come) that makes his middle-brow entertainments compelling to a jaded audience. Especially because he avoids the fake-hipness of s omuch post-modern tv.

Isobel remains the central character, existing in an optimistic, fanciful universe beyond the survival rough & tumble story swirling around her. It's a key element of expanding the audience for this Western beyond the basic all-male love for the genre. The contrast of the natural beauty, Eden-like visuals of many of her solo scenes provides this episodes most powerful imagery.

It's a cliche to put the pioneers and settler on some sort of pedestal, or to create a tract eminding us of the genocide umdergordomg the Manifest Destny spirit -Taylor manages to find a balance without ovrwheming the forward narrative of the story. As he branches out into other genres ("Lioness" a prime example), I look forward to the results.

Of special note is the character Clare and her fate: stereotypical as first presented but carefully weaved into the central story.

Two episodes in and I'm hooked. This is not 'Gunsmoke' or 'Bonanza' this is the nitty and the gritty. It looks like we'll be treated to interesting guest appearances along the way (Tom Hanks and Billy Bob Thornton, thus far).

Sam Elliott and Isabel May are the standouts, thus far.

Greetings from Lithuania.

First two episodes of highly anticipated series 1883 were amazing. They were epic in every way. I loved the story, characters, directing, acting and pretty much everything so far. The setting is a character itself.

Overall, i will definitely will watch remaining episodes. Loved it first two very much.