The Abandons Review: Gillian Anderson’s Western Faces Criticism Over Uneven Script

Setting and Characters

The Abandons unfolds in 1854 Angel’s Ridge, Washington Territory, presenting a dusty western landscape steeped in manifest destiny themes. Gillian Anderson stars as Constance Van Ness, a rare female mine owner who arrives in town with a cold demeanor. She immediately sets up a clash with Lena Headey’s Fiona Nolan, an Irish Catholic matriarch leading a makeshift family of orphans in Jasper Hollow.

Central Conflict

The story centers on the battle for control over the town’s silver-rich land. After masked men, likely hired by Constance, attempt to sabotage Fiona’s cattle by driving them toward a cliff, tensions escalate. The local sheriff remains unhelpful, forcing the community to rely on loyalty, faith, and collective resistance to confront Corruption and tyranny.

Plot Developments

The narrative intensifies when Elias’s sister Dahlia kills Willem Van Ness, Constance’s son, in self-defense during an attempted assault. The Nolans cover up the act, heightening the stakes as Constance redoubles efforts to crush them. Meanwhile, romantic subplots, such as the bond between outlaw Roache and Constance’s daughter and mutual attraction between Elias and Dahlia, add emotional layers.

Themes and Genre Execution

The Abandons explores binaries like justice versus power and blood ties versus chosen family, reflecting the era’s stark morality. However, the series is often criticized for its seriousness and occasionally awkward script moments. Critics note that the novelty of female leads does not markedly change familiar western tropes about family legacy and social struggle.

Reception and Context

While the tone may feel heavy, The Abandons remains a thoughtful production helmed by Sons of Anarchy’s Kurt Sutter. The script shows improvement over time, and the underlying mythic narrative appeals to viewers longing for stories of good triumphing over corruption. It follows a tradition of revisionist westerns but lacks the nuanced exploration seen in similar recent works.

Availability

The Abandons, offering a mix of intense drama and traditional western motifs with strong female leads, is available for streaming on Netflix.