“Move Over, Yellowstone — Netflix Just Dropped Its Own Western Obsession”

Netflix’s Western drama series, Ransom Canyon, features a great cast, an intriguing story, and is downright enjoyable from start to finish. Starring Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly, Ransom Canyon introduces itself as a straightforward, somewhat predictable, and kind of soapy romance series backdropped against a scenic rural Texas landscape. Throughout its 10-episode first season, which is unusually long for Netflix series nowadays, Ransom Canyon finds ways to surprise you, make you laugh, and break your heart.

Any critiques of the show’s often generic dialogue are made up for by the impeccable cast, whose shared chemistry is the true bread and butter of the series. All the main characters in Ransom Canyon, which is located just southeast of Lubbock, are searching for their individual versions of love, happiness, and success in the tiny West Texas town. Combining high school drama with cutthroat business affairs and a lingering murder mystery turned out to be a winning formula for Netflix and its attempt to fill in the gap left by Yellowstone’s end.

Ransom Canyon’s Great Characters & Immersive Setting Make It Easily Watchable

Ransom Canyon Has A Lot To Offer & Is Supported By An Outstanding Ensemble Cast

Ransom Canyon’s greatest feat is its notable care of its characters, which is seen and felt in the crafting and development of its large ensemble cast. The series somehow finds a way to make every character (well, just about every character) flawed but extremely likable. Even the most despicable characters have redeeming qualities, which strongly suggests that Ransom Canyon has the foundational ingredients of a Netflix series built to last.

While some may assume Netflix’s latest Western series is nothing but soulless filler that is shamelessly chasing the glory of Yellowstone and even Landman, Ransom Canyon can stand on its own, establishing its own addictive identity and feel with its boots planted firmly in the dirt. Comparing Ransom Canyon directly to Yellowstone is a bit of an apples and oranges scenario, anyway.

Based on the 2015 novel of the same name (which spawned a popular book series) by Jodi Thomas, it’s heavily rooted in romance and has an inherently different tone more akin to series creator April Blair’s previous works, particularly the CW series All American.

These CW series elements, seen in many a Riverdale episode, are undoubtedly incorporated into the framework of Ransom Canyon. The revolving door of romantic twists can be quite abrupt and dripped in fantasy, but never in a way that seems too far off course. At its heart, Ransom Canyon is about close friends and family in a tight-knit community, where giving up or running away are unthinkable options. Characters throw fists in one episode before sharing a beer in another, and vice versa.

Ransom Canyon Has Surprisingly Dramatic Moments Wrapped Around An Intriguing Murder Mystery

The Netflix Series Switches Between Multiple Tones & Expertly Balances Interwoven Storylines

Ransom Canyon has much more to offer than multiple will-they-won’t-they romantic situationships and jealousy-induced feuds. While it may sound hokey, the unfolding murder mystery acts as the backbone of the season and is wonderfully intertwined with the various happenings of the main characters. Nearly all the characters interact in some regard, unlike in some other series where the storylines are more rigid and separate. Because of the insular nature of the town, which doesn’t take nicely to outsiders, everyone’s deep in everyone’s business.

Despite its romance-heavy opening, Ransom Canyon also evolves into more dramatic territory in its impressive latter half, justifying its 10-episode debut. Episode 7, in particular, seems to have taken inspiration from last year’s blockbuster Twisters​​​​​​, adding great suspense as the highlight of the season. There are also plenty of business dealings, land disputes, and the like to sink your teeth into (or not). It’s not necessarily vital to understand all the legal jargon to see how it affects each character. This smartly makes Ransom Canyon more accessible – you likely won’t need a pen and paper to follow what’s going on.

The murder mystery alone is compelling enough but always returns to the forefront in well-timed moments. It’s never absent long enough that you miss it, since there are plenty of juicy and enjoyable storylines worth paying attention to. Just when you think you have a prime suspect in the season-long murder mystery, the series brilliantly throws a curveball before throwing another and another, keeping us guessing until the very end, which does not fall flat.

On paper, Ransom Canyon could have been just another modern TV Western misfire. On the screen, however, Ransom Canyon executes its simple premise at a high level, balancing at least a dozen great characters that will win audiences over with their storybook earnestness and Southern charm.