The Son - Season 1 [DVD]

I read Philipp Meyer's novel "The Son" pop-eyed with excitement and quickly ranked him with the Western master Cormac McCarthy - an honor I don't assign lightly. Some of the writings and series coming from the West these days are pitiful in all ways, so it is gratifying to see a novel and its series "get it right". I so adored Meyer's novel that I prepared myself for disappointment in regard to the series and avoided it as long as I could lest I see "Hollyweird flunk again". But as soon as I watched Pierce Bronson's character utter his first word I again felt that pop-eyed excitement I had with the novel. Wow! The sets are incredible and true to period. The costumes, the handgun holsters, the leather, the saddles, the headstalls, the stone house of Eli's family and the Mexican family are works of art (spoiler: they get shot to hell by the end of the series and one is burned... alas!). Unlike other Western series/movies where the firearms are all wrong, it is gratifying to see Eli's Winchester Model 1907 in .351 caliber and Colt Model 1911. Exactly what he would have during these bloody disputes. The casting is wonderful as well. It is nice to see Zahn M. from the lame "Longmire" given a chance to really act and move about correctly. The Indian scenes are well done and compelling as well. Correct culture for sure. The young Eli is a great actor - hard to keep your eyes off him. After four or five episodes I suddenly realized why the series rings so true - Meyer himself is a producer and technical adviser! Great move and hard to execute because serious novelists usually RUN (and completely disavow themselves) from any depiction of their beloved novel on the Silver Screen. Meyer engaged and "got it right". I mean this sincerely: "The Son" is a masterpiece. It will go down as one of the greatest series - right there with "The Sopranos" and "Breaking Bad" and "The Americans". These actors dash their hearts out on the stones every episode. Having said all of this gushy stuff, I see the novel and the series as nearly completely separate. Meyer and his producers sure have a knack for developing on screen what was never brought forth in the novel - that is refreshing for sure. For instance, there were many brutal pages in the novel depicting the rapes of Eli's sisters and the four-day torture of the young frontiersman, etc. - all condensed to one buffalo hunter on the stakes. No problem, choices have to be made. Looks like the stars all lined up on this series - serious novelist on board to produce, great actors, super sets, compelling story line, great tech crew, great costumes, super script, etc. Can't wait for the Second Season of "The Son". I'm rereading the novel RIGHT NOW. Sublime, both. - Scott Weber, Cody, Wyoming

Great series

Pierce Brosnan is a very underrated actor, in my opinion. I never knew he had the range he showed in The Son. The series itself, is great. His family killed, he was taken as a captive, oil boom, homosexuality, Texans, an affair or three, and his granddaughter is a pistol. I recommend this series, if you like westerns, historical dramas, or a good series that draws you in.

Dark but great acting

This is an older series and it’s barely good. Very violent, but also maybe a little historically correct. Only two seasons.

Great show

Very sad story, fine acting, and good script.

I saw this show when it originally aired, which inspired my recent purchase of the first season DVD set. As with other AMC series, most of the characters live in at least a morally grey area, which is a more realistic portrayal, and makes it so interesting. The package itself was delivered quickly and undamaged.

I really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to Season 2 when it's released. Too bad, however, that it has now been cancelled and there won't be a third. I did order the book that the series is based upon and am looking forward to a good long read to find out more.

Excellent Story-line (Can not seem to optain season 2 from Amazon).

Love the book and the series. Will buy the second season when it is available. Pierce Brosnan is fantastic as the Coronel. Just wish there was more of the story - they cut it more than they should have.

Extremely good. The story, the actif, the setting just great... hoping To see many seasons To come

Maybe my expectations were set low enough to be pleasantly surprised. This is a quality show. Solid acting and a fascinating story line that follows the demise of the Commanche and the rise of Oil barons. The back and forth between the time periods flows beautifully. Pierce Bronson is excellent.