“Outsiders” WGN America: This show looks kind of intriguing — in a lurid, “Banshee-esque” (what?) kind of way. I’m a sucker for this kind of thing, as y’all know. My cable provider doesn’t carry this channel, but I bet my kid can figure out some platform to watch it on.
From Forbes:
WGN America’s upcoming drama Outsiders, debuting Jan. 26, pits mostly-off-the-grid Appalachian hill-people against a company that wants to mine the mountain the clan has occupied for generations. Down-mountain drama caused by the prospect of evicting the occupying extended Farrells family, as well as the rare Farrell interaction with on-the-gridders, is set against the tribal politics that play out up above.
The series features a large ensemble cast topped by David Morse, Ryan Hurst, Gillian Alexy, Joe Anderson and Thomas M. Wright.
There are enough similarities between the current Malheur National Wildlife Refuge protesters and the Farrells to make the Oregon occupation play like a real-life trailer for the series. Both dramas involve land-use issues, distrust of authority and lots of firearms. Though “there are lots of interesting parallels to what’s going on right now,” said creator, writer, executive producer Peter Mattei, the show’s premise-creation and earliest writing date back about two years.
Farrells, feral — I get it.
Ryan Hurst. Now there’s a compelling dude. I’ve never seen menacing-Viking and vulnerability wrapped together so convincingly. He was so good on the first season of Sons of Anarchy that Kurt Sutter kept him on when he was supposed to go down, killing him off several seasons later in the most gut-wrenching scene in that whole lurid saga. Actually, Opie’s death kinda ripped the heart and soul out of that show.
Anyway, I’m gonna find this and give it a shot.
Wayne says
Heck! I live in the Southern Appalachians and folks here are nothing like that. On the other hand, I think my neighbors could whip ’em.
JimC says
Hah!
Lane Batot says
It does look intriguing–they are advertising it on regular free peasant TV stations, although I can’t get the station it will appear on! Maybe one day as a cheapo used DVD series–IF you continue to recommend it….. Interesting and appropo after our discussion on “Reconstruction”! Despite my harangue on that post, I will admit that, okay, there IS some truth to most stereotypes–it’s just unfair to automatically lump folks in one without really knowing anything about them! I’m sure this series will not help hillbilly image, however! I lived in a very remote area of the Southern Apps for decades(and LOVED it! I miss those mountains fiercely! But I was also not there to socialize with humans!) on the Tenn./N. C. border, that had a very sinister, BAD reputation, partially deserved. I met/knew some wonderful folks there over the years, but also saw/witnessed some of the WORST! I always ask people wanting me to describe some of my neighbors if they remember the locals portrayed in the movie “Deliverance”? Most people shudder in reply, and then I tell them, “Well, some of MY neighbors made the locals in “Deliverance” look like Ozzie and Harriet Nelsons’ family!”. Sadly, this is NOT an exaggeration! But then I’ve seen some equally degenerate folk in every major large city I’ve had the misfortune to have to visit as well……..