If you’ve somehow never heard the name Taylor Sheridan, I’m jealous of you. I fell for the “Yellowstone” — the show that arguably put him on the map — propaganda earlier this year and had me glued to my TV for about two weeks. When his new show “The Madison” was announced, I was intrigued. It seemed like it was going to be a change of pace compared to Sheridan’s other shows and it was being led by Michelle Pfeiffer, which felt promising.
The show itself follows the Clyburn family, who are from New York City. And when tragedy strikes, they move to the Madison River in Montana to try to recover.
I enjoyed the first three episodes that dropped. There’s a bit of a slower start during the first episode as it sets up the family dynamic, and you’re waiting to see what the tragedy is that wrecks the family, but it does pick up once they get to Montana.
The show really focuses on grief and how that looks for different people, but also the ways in which people overcome that. It also shows how a family grapples with grief in what I think is a very real way. The misplaced anger and trying to figure out how to move forward are present. We follow three generations of Clyburn women, and death works as a plot device to get these characters to talk and be honest with each other.
There’s also the element of Pfeiffer’s character, Stacy, having daughters that are insanely privileged and sheltered, so being in the-middle-of-nowhere Montana with little cell service and an outhouse as a bathroom, makes for great TV. And getting to watch these characters learn how the world actually works becomes a simultaneously irritating and amusing experience.
Stacy is probably my favorite character just because she’s so intriguing. While she thrived in New York City, we see her bring up possibly leaving multiple times. I also really appreciate that they didn’t make her a stereotypical grieving widow; she’s obviously very hurt and distraught over her husband’s death but instead of letting it consume her, she uses it to fuel her living a life she’s put on pause.
I also love Abby, the eldest Clyburn daughter, and I need to see where her romance with the sheriff goes.
I don’t think it’s going to be a show for everyone, and while it doesn’t fully lean into the western-rancher vibe that Sheridan’s other shows do, it still has that essence. It’s definitely a slower show with not much action happening, but it allows you to really spend time with and get to know the characters and their dynamics. While it has its funny moments, it’s an emotionally tender show. And like all of Sheridan’s shows, it’s visually stunning.
I’m excited to finish the season once the second half drops, and it’s already been renewed for a second season that I will probably be sat for.
Rating: 3.75/5