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Godless (Scott Frank; 2017) is a Western Netflix miniseries that has flown under the radar but deserves more recognition. But upon finishing the show, any reason why seemed inadequate. Godless centers on a very original premise rich with interesting characters; the show pits a runaway outlaw and a town of misfits against a gang of bandits and killers. The show has all the typical Western elements: stagecoach and train robberies, posses, and shootouts. Bundle these factors together, and you’ve got a highly engaging and underrated series that deserves a wider viewership. Here are the reasons why:
What Is Godless About?
Godless is based in La Belle, New Mexico, in the year 1884. La Belle, New Mexico, is an actual historic ghost town of the Old West. The series follows a different tale of misfortune versus strictly being deserted due to unfavorable gold deposits, as is the case in real life. In Godless, the town is still populated…just by all widows and a handful of men. The majority of the men died in a mining incident two years before the show occurs. The show first introduces audience members to the sheriff, Bill McNue (portrayed by Scoot McNairy). During his trip back into town from a Paiute tribal camp where he’s seeking treatment for his diminishing eyesight, he’s stopped by his sister and encouraged to stop by a ranch outside of town to try and renegotiate a deal on some horses.
The ranch is owned by Alice Fletcher (played by Michelle Dockery), an outcast due to her fruitful relationship with a Paiute and the means by which she acquired the rights to her property. Unbeknownst to Bill, Alice’s ranch was visited in the night by an outlaw by the name of Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell). Roy’s been robbing and disrupting his old gang leader’s holdups. Now Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and his band of thirty armed men are out for blood — primarily Roy’s. But also any town unlucky enough to be harboring him, which means simply turning in Roy Goode isn’t going to solve any issues. This spurs the plot of Godless into action.
Why You Should Watch Godless
Godless offers a lot for the typical Western fan; it’s got horse riding, saloon shoot-outs, sheriffs with huge mustaches, and Pinkertons. Any Western show worth its salt will have those aspects, though. Where Godless really excels and sets itself apart, and this is the stuff any person can enjoy, is with the lore surrounding the town of La Belle and the characters, the music, and the show’s commitment to realism.
The Lore Of La Belle And Its Townsfolk
As mentioned, La Belle (in Godless) was the site of an awful mining incident that left all the women in the town widowed. This resulted in a lot of the women taking on new roles and embracing brasher and more assertive personas. For instance, Bill’s sister, Mary Agnes (played by Merritt Weaver), took on a leadership position in the town and began donning her late husbands’ clothes (partly for comfort and presentation’s sake). Callie Dunne (played by Tess Frazer), a former prostitute, took up the position of the town’s headmaster.
These are examples that exemplify the breadth and rich backstory that accompany the show’s characters and the world of La Belle. To name drop a few other standouts: the group of Buffalo soldiers in the small corresponding town of Blackdom outside La Belle, Whitey Winn (a La Belle sheriff’s deputy), and A.T. Grigg (a newspaper runner and shyster) all also come with their own distinct backstories, which really enrich the world of Godless.
Sounds Of The Saloon And The Saddle
Are you a sucker for some fiddle? If so, you’ll love this show. The main theme that plays during the introduction is literally so compelling and engaging that you won’t want to click the tiny “skip intro” button in the bottom right corner. “Atascadero (Denouement)” that accompanies the final sweeping shots through the valleys and various other landscapes as one of the characters (not giving away any names) makes his final journey west is deeply moving and adds a lot of emotion to the scene. “Whitey” is another great track that plays during a shocking and moving moment that drastically alters the show’s trajectory. All in all, the score is just really exceptional and immensely deepens the viewing experience.
As Real As It Gets…In The Old West
As it is commonly known, far-fetched stories depicting the Old West as a time overflowing with gun duels and smooth-talking gunslingers with hearts of gold are mostly works of fiction. Within the parameters of a fictionalized Old West story, however, Godless achieves a good deal of realism. It captures the racial dynamics of the time period well. The sexual debauchery, but also the genuine existence of some homosexual relationships are both on display.
Other more rudimentary facts of life are there as well. If your posse is facing armed gunmen from above, you’re kind of screwed. Riding a horse is actually really challenging and it’s not likely for one to do some crazy maneuver without developing and fostering a close connection with their steed. These aren’t game-changing details, but they help the story feel grounded and it really helps with immersion.
One Last Time For Good Measure: Watch Godless
Godless is an amazing show. It’s got all the Western action fodder one could ever want, but it’s also telling a really impactful and compelling story. The reimagined ghost town the story takes place in, La Belle, feels like a real and battered town from the Old West. All the townspeople are complex and multifaceted, with backstories worthy of their own miniseries’. The score of the show is moving and striking. Lastly, the grounded telling of the story makes Godless feel real and weighty. For these reasons (and many, many more), if Godless has been sitting in your watch list untouched or wasn’t even in your peripheral, it is absolutely a show you should consider watching.