As someone born and raised in the Blue Ridge, I knew I had to give this series a shot. Now I am 3 episodes in and plan to be a regular viewer. It feels like an old-school serial Western but placed in modern times, showcasing many of the genre's best attributes. The lead character, a former Green Beret turned sheriff, is an honorable and courageous man driven by a deep convictions and a desire for law and order. Despite some morally ambiguous supporting characters, the show maintains a clear sense of right and wrong. Beautiful mountain scenery from the real-life Blue Ridge provide a wonderful sense of awe and authenticity. The show suffers from some significant weaknesses, namely uncompelling fight scenes, flat dialogue, and an awkward relationship between the lead and his former love interest that feels more like a distraction than serious character development. One of my favorite parts of Westerns are the dramatic and quotable one-liners, but sadly this series has precious few. Nevertheless, I think the show has great potential, and would love to see a season 2 to rectify these shortcomings.
