First off, here’s the set up of the show, which starts following sad rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) mourning his late wife, going about his business in the small ranch town of Ransom Canyon, Texas. Everyone has lived here forever, in most cases for generations, so it’s no surprise that he runs into his late wife’s best friend, Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), who he’s known from childhood. What is a surprise is the extra beat in every glance Quinn gives Staten, who is still reeling from the shock of losing his wife. One night Staten’s brother-in-law, Davis, gives Staten’s teen son, Randall, a pricey car for his birthday, and the conflict and ensuing violence sets characters choosing sides and engaging in possible coverups. And that’s all just episode one.
Successive scenes introduce familiar tropes with fresh life breathed into them by seasoned talent and charismatic newcomers. There’s Cap Fuller (James Brolin), the old rancher who clings to the land as much as the memories of his lost family. We meet Lauren Brigman (Lizzy Greene), the high school cheerleader who dreams of escaping her family trauma through a college scholarship. And we follow Yancy Grey (Jack Schumacher), the dark and handsome ranch hand who turns up to assist Cap at his ranch, but has both secret past and plan. And that brother-in-law, Davis? He’s got a rep as a philanderer and a shady business guy, and besides, he doesn’t really love the land like Staten and Cap. Or does he? Ransom Canyon shuffles between these stories in a tightly edited carousel of action, parsing out character intel so judiciously that I was held rapt for all ten episodes.
