Saturday, August 30, 2014

Long Live Longmire!

Does the world really need any more so-called "reality" shows? The heads of A&E clearly think so, as they've chosen to cancel its highly rated scripted drama Longmire after the cliffhanger Season 3 finale. Shows such as Duck Dynasty and various incarnations of Storage Wars, however, are safe. As a longtime member of the show's fanbase (known as the Longmire Posse), I am seriously disappointed.

The modern-day Western is based on Craig Johnson's book series Walt Longmire Mysteries. (If you haven't read them, I highly recommend picking up the first book The Cold Dish). Set in fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, the books and show follow Sheriff Walt Longmire (played by Robert Taylor) who is solving crimes and trying to keep his life together after the death of his wife. The small-town police force consists of three deputies: local rich boy and nephew of the former sheriff Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), sassy Philadelphia transplant Victoria "Vic" Moretti (Katee Sackhoff), and baby-faced, kind-hearted Ferguson (Adam Bartley). Lou Diamond Phillips rounds out the regular cast as Walt's best friend since grade school and Red Pony Bar owner Henry Standing Bear.

Longmire features more than just Walt and company solving the crime of the week; each season had one or more overreaching characters arcs. In Season One, Walt learns that not only is Deputy Branch Connally running against him for Sheriff, Branch is dating his daughter Cady. Cady also learns that her mother Martha did not die of cancer; she was stabbed to death in Denver while she was in the city getting chemo treatment. Hints are dropped that Walt may have taken a trip to Colorado to avenge his wife's death. Season Two sees Vic dealing with a stalker, Cady being critically injured in a hit-and-run car accident on election day, and the outcome of the sheriff's race. I won't be spoiling Season Three in case you haven't seen it; let's just say things get interesting.

Besides the great storylines, Longmire has solid characters; the writing left me with strong biases, both positive and negative. Walt is a tough, old-school sheriff and a basically good man, though not above the temptation of taking the law into his own hands (and possibly even taking it too far). I admire Vic's Yankee spunk and empathize with her struggle to adjust to rural Wyoming life. I openly loathed Branch from the first episode; there was just something slimy about him and his entitled attitude didn't help matters.

Lou Diamond Phillips is pitch-perfect as Henry: a protective, strong, proud Cheyenne who'll stop at nothing to help those he cares about. Henry also has a terrific dry sense of humor (when Cady describes a physically attractive male bar patron, he responds "I am not a good judge of hotness"). Henry is also deeply spiritual when it comes to his culture and a valuable assistant whenever Walt's sheriff business takes him onto the local reservation. This show has really given Lou Diamond Phillips the best chance to shine that he's had in years; he deserves much more respect as an actor than he generally gets.

My favorite deputy has always been Ferguson, known in the office simply as "the Ferg." The words that best describe Ferg's personality include "awkward" and "shy"; but rather than being portrayed as the department's resident weak link or sad sack, he's competent in his own right as a fly-fisherman and outdoorsman. He wants to please his boss and sometimes worries that he's not good enough at his job. (Think McGee during his early seasons on NCIS). Ferg never had as much screen time as I would have liked, which is a pity because rookie actor Adam Bartley showed a lot of promise. For proof, Netflix the Season One episode "A Damn Shame" and watch what happens when Ferg tries to turn in his badge. Ferg really came into his own this season, finally standing up to Walt about being overworked and under-appreciated: "I know you haven't noticed, but ever since Branch started going crazy, I really stepped it up around here. And that's not easy with you two shutting doors in my face, treating me like I'm not even a part of this department. I do everything you ask and I do a good job, but if you want me to keep doing it, you can't just throw me in the corner at this little kid's desk and ignore me."

However, all hope for the show may not be lost. Its production company Warner Horizon Television is currently pitching the show to other networks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Walt, Henry, Vic, and of course the Ferg will find a new home. It just makes good business sense to pick up a successful drama that has a six-million strong Posse behind it.


33 comments:

  1. You are right on! Excellent story. Long live Longmire.

    ReplyDelete
  2. we should talk up the concept of drama to TV Land

    ReplyDelete
  3. The best show on tv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE LONGMIRE!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree this is the best show on tv........... A&E makes me sick with their other shows. LONG LIVE LONGMIRE..........................

      Delete
    2. I really like Longmire. Show is starting to get really good. I am so sick of all the reality shows. Honey BOO BOO makes me sick. And so many others are just junk. Stick with a good series and can the reality shows. I can only take so much of Si.

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the blog, a subject near and dear to my heart (fellow Posse member)!!! Hoping a network like FX, AMC, or USA pick it up!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Agree with this review, but WHY DON'T REVIEWERS MENTION THE EXQUISITE CINEMATOGRAPHY?

    ReplyDelete
  7. A shame, who needs duck dynasty. We need more longmire!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You forgot Ruby, the stabilizing force in an office that oscillates between inactivity (blessed when it occurs) and chaos. Louanne Stephens radiates the kind of woman who made the West, full of optimism, dry humor, and practicality.

    ReplyDelete
  9. excellent writing. Keeping my fingers crossed for a new network to air the series!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ianid is right, Ruby RUNS Walt's life (or at least his calendar and personal hygiene aspects, LOL.) Good to see a nice older woman character in the series. #LongLiveLongmire - FB or tweet this in support.

    ReplyDelete
  11. An excellent commentary and very true. I hardly think we need anymore reality shows. I liked the strong story lines as well as the excellent acting. A&E won't see me watching there anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LongLiveLongmire....We will survive!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. #‎LongLiveLongmire‬ - ridiculous to lose this wonderful show for the sake of more reality TV. Shame on A&E

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a proud member of the Longmire Posse, didn't even know we had such a cool name! I would do anything to see Longmire episodes flourish and on TV! I love that show and all the characters.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great article written by a true fan! #LongLiveLongmire!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seriously disappointed with A&E. I won't be watching their network any longer. Redemption=bring Longmire back. Quality shows are lacking on this network as it is, this was a bad move on their part! My 2 cents.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The production values of this show are stellar. The Native American viewpoint is well told in a respectful and insightful way, due to the extensive research. And the scenery (shot in northern NM-yea!) is glorious. Sure hope some other network is smart enough to pick this one up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great article! Our whole family watched this show every week and loves it! Please don't let it go. There is so much garbage on TV, and this is a QUALITY show. We do not need more reality television. Long Live Longmire!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hope they find a network quickly - can't miss this show it's too great!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hope one of the networks with good sense picks it up. I miss the show already!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A&E has missed the boat completely by cancelling this highly rated show. I have read every book, and still enjoy the video version. Long live Longmire

    ReplyDelete
  22. Loved the show, will not miss A&E. I will not watch this channel and will try to hit them where it hurts, Their sponsors. Another network will pick this up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great article! Longmire is one of the best series in ages.....I'm holding my breath.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love this article!! #LongLiveLongmire

    ReplyDelete
  25. A & E is going to realize the hard way reality tv or any other programing doesn't matter if real viewers aren't watching it. Old viewers or better than no viewers. Advertisers won't pay big bucks for show on a station no one will watch. #LongLIveLongmire

    ReplyDelete
  26. I Love the show,cant believe they took it off ,for all the garbage one has to pay for.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the show! #LongLiveLongmire

    ReplyDelete
  28. A&E has no respect for the art of quality television. They should change their name to some t thing more appropriate, like Garbage & Trash TV.

    ReplyDelete