‘Ransom Canyon’ Netflix Review: Western Drama Is A Late Millennial’s Dream
If you grew up watching American soap operas, chances are you’ve seen both Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly before. Or rather, you feel like you’ve grown up with them, and seeing them star in a show together, all these years later, feels pretty great. While I’m only slightly too young to have seen those shows, I’ve definitely seen both actors in movies such as Life As We Know It and The Roommate, both of which are successful in their own right. So, not only do I get the hype, but I also get the simultaneously joyous and melancholic feeling of nostalgia one gets when watching them on screen again.
Ransom Canyon is a romance-drama Western that feels like you’re stepping right onto a Texas ranch. The show follows the people of the town of Ransom, who may soon have to give up on their beloved ranches to bring in something new. The plot is a predictable multi-generational saga that feels exactly like an old-school drama that will give you 100 seasons before you finally get what you want. At the center of it all is Staten, the owner of Kirkland Ranch, and a stubborn man who will not sell his land, even for progress. On the other hand, we have Quinn, his late wife’s best friend and his first love, who is running the town’s dancehall and bar, Gracie’s, and trying to hold the fort. Meanwhile, there’s Davis’ brother-in-law and sworn enemy, Davis, who also happens to have the hots for Quinn. Davis’ son, Reid, is in a relationship with Lauren, your typical quarterback and cheerleader pairing. But Lauren is seeing Lucas, another boy at school whose dad ran out on him. Then there’s Elie, who works at Gracie’s and is super close to Cap Fuller, the only other ranch owner who isn’t willing to sell. Things start to get interesting when a man named Yancy Grey comes into town and stirs things up.
I remember when I was shocked to come home and see my parents eagerly ready to watch Virgin River the moment it hit Netflix. While I haven’t watched that one, I can tell by the look of things that the two shows are quite similar, and it might be the new cash cow for Netflix. Ransom Canyon is distractingly dramatic and stupendously ridiculous in that, before one super dramatic event can wind down, another one begins. Oh, but there’s a little mystery in the middle of all the drama to quench your thirst. The show is certainly both ranchy and raunchy, with so much romance in the air across all age groups.
What’s truly shocking to me is that I was able to sit through 10 episodes of this, despite knowing exactly where it was going and feeling like it was repeatedly looping around to the same things again and again. I suppose that’s what true entertainment looks like. But, jokes aside, I think what makes Ransom Canyon truly enjoyable is the characters and how not two-dimensional they feel. From wanting to dunk the villain’s head in the toilet (don’t worry, I’m not violent) to wanting to have a dance with the girls at the dance hall, everything feels quite authentic.
The show, which is based on a beloved book, boasts a fantastic cast that delivers perfect performances. It never feels over the top, or like whatever is going on makes zero sense or feels almost too stupid to be true. Josh Duhamel is Staten, and he’s the same as ever: broody, tall, and handsome. Minka Kelly is super believable as Quinn, and I just want to say, the costumes work really well for every single one of the cast members. Also, how fun would it be to have Leighton Meester do a cameo in yet another Netflix drama? This time not for her husband but for a good old friend, who also happens to be her doppelganger? Marianly Tejada from One Of Us Is Lying finally plays a character who seems age-appropriate and does it brilliantly. No, I don’t know how they thought we’d believe someone in high school could look that good. Now, I personally can’t remember having ever seen actor Eoin Macken in anything, but the man looks like if Josh Duhamel and Jonathan Bailey had a kid. Yes, my point is this show has ridiculously good-looking people, so that’s already a reason to watch it. Visually, the series is stunning to look at, and if you like a Western story, then this show definitely has the feel of a gossip session with your friends from school. No, honestly, it’ll make you want to do the hoedown throwdown.
I think Ransom Canyon knows its target audience very well and is giving them exactly what they expect: steamy, adult romance that is high stakes and includes a mix of a few other genres like the thriller. I will admit that 10 episodes feels a bit long, especially when we’re so used to watching shows that are shorter and don’t feel repetitive or like a burden. Also, by the end of it, because we’re meant to expect another season, everything feels a little bit incomplete, so walking away from it that way after 10 whole episodes is a bit of a letdown for sure. But having said that, I still find it stupendously entertaining. Oh, and don’t forget there’s a little rodeo in between, too.
So, if you’re on the lookout for something that is super dramatic, a little bit silly, very hot, and yet charming in the slow-living kind of way, then give Ransom Canyon a try. If you ever feel like it’s being repetitive, there’s always a skip or speed-up button. I’d give Ransom Canyon 3 out of 5 stars and am hoping they’ll follow the 8-episode thing in the next season. Also, yes, I will be sitting watching it all day myself because that’s how addicting it is
