1883
Paramount Plus’s series, 1883
Spinoffs from popular shows often do not reach the same level of quality or success. So imagine my surprise when I watched 1883. Without giving any spoilers, 1883 is a prequel to the Paramount series, Yellowstone. This spinoff of Yellowstone is set in the late 1800’s and is narrated from the perspective of Elsa Dutton (played by Isabel May). Though it is a spinoff, you do not need to have watched Yellowstone to understand or enjoy 1883.
It is a coming of age story as much as it is a tale of the western expansion of America. Elsa is a young woman of 18, full of life, sass, and wonder at the world around her. Her fierce determination to establish herself as a woman causes turmoil and danger. As if they needed any more hazards on their journey to find land of their own to call home. Isabel was a wise choice to portray Elsa Dutton and she truly shines in this role. Her portrayal had me totally and completely invested in her character’s story. Isabel’s raw acting talent coupled with the amazing writing of Taylor Sheridan will have you laughing, crying, cringing, and cheering the Dutton’s as they face trial after trial on this wagons west journey.
Now, I know that the Dutton family end up in Montana as I am just as hooked on Kevin Costner’s runaway success series that spawned this new drama as the rest of the world. However, the Dutton patriarch, James (played by Tim McGraw), begins this journey with only a dream imagined in his mind, heart, and soul of the land he longs to find and call his own. This is not Tim’s first foray into the world of acting, but it is his crowning achievement as a thespian thus far. Well done, sir. His character’s wife is played by Tim’s real life spouse, Faith Hill, who is holding her own amongst a very talented cast including the renowned, Sam Elliot.
Sam Elliot portrays Shea Brennan, a tortured and lonely man who has lost his beloved wife and family to illness just prior to meeting James Dutton and asking him to join the wagon train Shea is to lead west and north to Oregon. Sam Elliot is the epitome of the cowboy-je ne sais quoi, no matter his age. His talent is undeniable and he is a coup for this new show.
The remaining cast are not to be ignored and have done a wonderful job in their supporting roles. Overall, this is a wonderful series full of western nostalgia including the rampant violence of a fairly lawless time in America’s history.
That said, this is not a storyline or series for the young and impressionable. It delves deep into the world of lust, killings, bigotry, and foul language. Granted (and thankfully), not quite as much as its parent show.
