Everything you need to know about the abandons is here, and the story behind this Netflix series is just as dramatic as what made it to screen. Released December 4th, this frontier saga has sparked fierce debates among fans and critics, with behind-the-scenes turbulence that changed the entire show.
Set in 1854 Washington Territory, the abandons follows two powerful matriarchs locked in a bloody battle for control. One commands the mining empire that keeps Angel's Ridge alive, while the other protects her chosen family of adopted outcasts and their cattle ranch. At its core, it's a western about land, loyalty, and survival—but with women driving every major conflict.
The twist? This isn't your grandfather's cowboy story. Creator Kurt Sutter, known for gritty, uncompromising dramas, envisioned a ten-episode epic exploring faith, power, and chosen family. What audiences got instead was a leaner, faster-paced seven-episode season that left many storylines on the cutting room floor.
The Shocking Production Drama Nobody Expected
Why Critics and Audiences Are Split Down the Middle
The show currently sits at exactly fifty percent on review aggregators—a perfect split. Here's what's fueling the divide:
- The Great Performance Debate: Viewers praise the magnetic lead performances and atmospheric tension. Critics call the script clunky and self-serious, filled with "very dodgy dialogue moments" that pull you out of the story.
- Rushed Storytelling: Many feel the abandons moves too fast, sacrificing character depth for plot speed. One reviewer noted it "settles for a jack-of-all-trades approach, which means it masters none."
- Visual Identity: While the Alberta-filmed landscapes look stunning, some CGI elements—particularly a cattle stampede in the pilot—have been called "laughable" and "muddy."
What Makes This Western Different
Despite the chaos, the abandons brings something fresh to the genre. Two women lead the conflict, representing opposing worldviews: ice-cold capitalism versus fire-and-faith community building. Their stare-downs deliver serious intensity, giving the show its most compelling moments. Supporting cast includes a patchwork family of orphans, a corrupt mining heir, and an outlaw with classical music tastes.
What's Next for The Abandons?
Season one ends on a major cliffhanger designed to hook viewers for more. Whether Netflix greenlights season two depends entirely on viewership numbers and whether they can resolve the creative differences that plagued production. Given how much story was clearly chopped, there's enough material for several more seasons—if the streaming giant commits to the original vision.
Should You Watch?
If you love female-led westerns, powerhouse acting, and don't mind filling in some narrative blanks yourself, the abandons offers enough gritty atmosphere to justify a weekend binge. Just go in knowing you're seeing a compromised version of what could have been a masterpiece.
What do you think—does The Abandons deserve a second chance, or should Netflix have stuck to the original plan? Share your take below and join the conversation.