As an entertainment editor, I try to keep abreast of all the exciting new offerings on streaming (hello, Pluribus) and in theaters (sorry, you're wrong about Wicked: For Good). In fact, I weekly share my top 15 "What to Watch" recommendations. But one of this week's highest-potential debuts has me a bit...confused.
I'm talking about what should be the best show of the week and what should be sitting in the number one spot on Netflix right now, The Abandons.
This show has some serious potential. Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson lead the charge in this brand-new show (though, unfortunately it's not the Game of Thrones x X-Files crossover I was hoping for). These dynamic leading ladies play the matriarchs of two dueling families in this American Western series. It's said to be gritty and violent, and I assumed this would be the perfect way to scratch that itch I've had since Yellowstone went off the air.
But, confusingly, the show isn't sitting at the top of Netflix's most-watched shows list. In fact, it's only at number three, behind Sean Combs: The Reckoning and Stranger Things. While three might seem good, it's actually abnormal for a brand-new series (particularly one with such star power) not to reach the number one spot.
And there's more...
The Rotten Tomatoes ratings for The Abandons are absolutely abysmal. The Tomatometer (a rating from critics) sits at a terrible 23 percent, while the Popcornmeter (a rating from viewers) sits at an only slightly better 48 percent. Yikes.
Still, just because the show hasn't caught fire with critics or audiences doesn't mean it isn't worth the watch. For example, I strongly disagreed with the RT score for Squid Game season two.
For those willing to give it a shot, all seven episodes of the western drama are now available to binge on Netflix. For those who are not, allow me to recommend any of these 10 must-see shows (the best of the best of 2025, IMHO).
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