THE ABANDONS
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A gritty Western about land, found family, loyalty, and survival.
He Said / She Said
“I didn’t like it. I really thought I would based on the cast but it’s just bad. The Van Ness family feels above the law in a way that’s more frustrating than compelling, and there are so many characters introduced so fast that I kept losing track of who I was supposed to care about.
It’s bleak, confusing, and emotionally flat. The only thing keeping me watching was the recognizable faces… and even that wasn’t enough.”
“I expected better from the Sons of Anarchy crew. The script killed it for me. The old-English style dialogue is tiring, the storylines feel disjointed, and the characters don’t have enough depth to make the chaos feel worth it.
With the quality of actors involved, it’s honestly stunning how boring it is. If the mood was supposed to be boring… then yes: mission accomplished. Also: Fiona doesn’t work for me. She feels like a manipulative queen (great in Game of Thrones), but not the gritty homesteader the show needs.”
Critical reception (so far)
The early buzz leans on the cast and the “prestige Western” promise, but based on our watch, the main risk is that the writing and pacing don’t live up to the talent on screen.
If you came expecting “cowboy Sons of Anarchy,” adjust your expectations: it’s not that energy and not that fun.
What it’s about
In the Hollow, four families hold land that sits on valuable silver veins. The wealthy Van Ness family wants that land and they’re the kind of people who don’t ask nicely.
The Hollow families (including the Abandons) don’t want to sell, so pressure escalates fast: power plays, intimidation, and a tragedy that forces the families into an impossible choice.
Along the way, the show tries to juggle competing factions, shifting allegiances, religious rigidity, betrayals, and multiple side plots, all in a world where the powerful seem above the law and morality is… extremely optional.
Overall vibe
Dark, bleak, and heavy with almost no humor or levity. The tone stays consistently grim, but not in a “can’t-look-away” way. More in a “why does this feel like homework?” way.
The pacing is slow and often plodding, and the storytelling can feel scattered, like you were dropped into the middle of a season you didn’t watch. Add in thick old-timey dialogue, and it’s easy to lose the thread.
The production looks strong (great locations, solid cinematography), but the script and character clarity don’t match the visual ambition.
Episode-by-episode (1–3)
We’re introduced to the Hollow families and the Van Ness clan, land barons with entitlement so strong it could be mined. The stakes are clear (silver under the land), and the Van Ness’ want it.
A bear causes chaos and a hunt is organized, while betrayal closes in on the Abandons.
Mrs. Van Ness makes a deal with the local rebel Cayuse, while Patricia and Elias grow closer.
Content warnings
- Violence and gore
- Sexual violence (including rape)
- Amputation
- Foul language
- Animal harm
Who will love it / who should skip it
Will love it if:
- You love Western settings, land-feud drama, and morally grey characters
- You enjoy slow, rustic pacing and atmosphere over plot clarity
- You’re here for recognizable faces and don’t mind a messy story web
- You like gritty family power struggles with religion baked in
Should probably skip if:
- You want a clear storyline and characters you can quickly tell apart
- Slow, plodding pacing makes you lose interest
- Old-timey dialogue makes your brain feel like it’s buffering
- You’re tired of bleak Westerns and morally grey everyone
- Any of the content warnings above are a hard no