1883 (TV Mini Series) River (2021) User Reviews

Superb!

[douglasmcbroom · 9/10 · 26 December 2021]

This episode slowed down a bit, but excelled in character development. This series is simply outstanding. It is loaded with interesting and multi-faceted characters. The writing and direction are superb.

The two standouts continue to be Sam Elliott and Isabel May, but LaMonica Garrett had a very strong episode.

Beautiful

[williams9 · 9/10 · 1 October 2023]

At the end of this episode, the question is asked: why make the world so beautiful and fill it with monsters? Why make flowers and hide snakes beneath? Then, it hit me. It wasn't made for us.

This is the theme of this show, in a nutshell. The randomness of death and of beauty. It really explores this pretty well. Not just in this episode, but in all of them so far. It is a little repetitive. It's a show about traveling but without a train, or a highway, or a jet engine. Where something like water is scarce. It asks you to face questions like this, and to wonder how people made it through those times and built the things we now take for granted.

Well done.

A few minor niggles

[Saadsak · 7/10 · 31 December 2021]

If Noemi is a gypsy, surely she would know how to drive a team and hobble horses?

And if this is 1883, weren't the settles user trains because they were cheaper, faster and safer than wagon trains?

And as a fellow sufferer, with all the advances in CGI, couldn't the show runners do something about Sam Elliot's arthritis? The poor old bugger is clearly crippled and walking bow legged.

That said, a well acted and photographed show.

Another, very enjoyable episode!

[dave42c · 27 December 2021]

Highlights: Flirty & life positive Isabel May seems to be getting even more interesting & beautiful.

Faith Hill's got some Skills!

The ever present dangers & tragedy of this wagon train journey were well depicted. Especially with the focus on one discriminated family/survivors, the touching attitude/actions by the captain & Thomas to help out, and Sam Elliot reaches his limits with some really scummy guys.

And, "Define Handsy" :-)

Overall, I give this 3rd episode a 9...

[jeersNcheers · 9/10 · 10 January 2022]

...because I hate Elsa's narration; otherwise it would be a 10. I have a feeling the babyish, dreamy teen narration will end unless T. S. lets his pride interfere with his better judgement concerning what is best for this show.

I'm not going to downrate for this, but I am pissed that I'm paying for Paramount+ AS WELL AS HAVING TO WATCH COMMERCIALS. What the heck?! Not sure how long I'll put up with that...

Good but...

[pnilsson-76276 · 6/10 · 28 December 2021]

When did so many of the immigrants learn how to speak English? Before it was only one and suddenly there are several. Makes no sense. Besides that a decent episode. Looking forward to see where it will take us.

Where is the continuity?

[saner_place · 6/10 · 5 January 2022]

Day one, only one German can understand, never mind speak, english.

Day 3 or 4, many can, the Gypsy can, and the problem guys who challenged the Captain can argue and insult in english.

Not the end of the world but really, really poor and lazy writing.

Still like the show but these type of things make it 'OK', but not 'good'.

Great series, but one thing confuses me....

[melisa6763 · 5/10 · 4 July 2023]

At the beginning of the journey, none of them immigrants spoke English except one. Now we have how many that speak English? Confusing transition. That doesn't mean I will stop watching, it's great. Can't wait for 1923 to come on Paramount. I'll wait, I already pay too much for subscriptions.

The acting and story line are riveting, anyone who chooses to watch will not be disappointed. Elsa (Isabel May) is my favorite character, what a charmer. Hopefully she has great adventures throughout the series. I can't wait.

Still love Billy Bob Thorton's line, "The only killer in Fort Worth is me!."

I recommend this to everyone, it's one of the best things on TV since Yellowstone started. I'm looking forward to more scenes that connect the two shows.

Tough trekking toward the Promised Land

[lor_ · 26 June 2023]

After the rip-roaring 2-episode launch, "1883" settles into a more pastoral mode depicting the problems of the wagon train. Certainly Ward Bond and Robert Horton presented their share of such hardships on tv in the '60s, but Taylor Sheridan is more ruthless in his approach, while also providing an emotional underpinning to leader Sam Elliott's sympathetic treatment of a forlorn gypsy girl with kids in tow.

Without overdoing it, the tale has elements of Moses leading his Jewish people in the desert, and Elliott is perfect casting, and rises to the occasion with amazing depth to his performance.

Here we go again with Sheridan?

[Griff3030 · 6/10 · 9 January 2022]

The first two episodes were well done, but with episode 3 are we already starting to see the typical problems with Sheridan as a writer and director? Inconsistencies, unrealistic plot conveniences, plot holes, and cheesy writing. It ruined Yellowstone - one of the most overrated shows I can remember. Sheridan either doesn't see the problems with his scripts or doesn't care. I hope the next few episodes put the series back on track. If I see one b-roll scene of twirling and sliding horses, I'm done.

OK episode but Sheridan falls into his typical patterns

[Ziro10 · 7/10 · 27 February 2023]

Once again, a brilliant and promising start with the first two episodes. And once again Sheridan falls into his habits of discarding them.

He made a point in the first episode of making sure the audience understands that these are immigrants who lack any English skills, only to write a plot hole in this episode where suddenly some of them speak English. And to top it off, they speak English briefly among themselves instead of in their own language.

Because of little mistakes like this, and Sheridan's laziness, Yellowstone went from being a very good series, to an OK series, and ended up being a plot hole filled Beth & Rip show.

I hope that 1883 and 1923 will not share the same fate.

This went south in a hurry

[horst69 · 1/10 · 30 December 2021]

The first two episodes showed some promise , it seemed like the show could go places .

With the 3rd episode, it went the wrong way though .

The screenplay is shallow and lazy , barely manages to cover the most cliched and basic reenactment style Pulp Western show imaginable .

River

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 18 January 2023]

There are some recognizable names in acting (and in music) highlighting this cast, but Isabel May as Elsa continues to be the breakout star and we saw that highlighted here. This episode gave us some character development, some high tension and just really highlighted how good thi can be. It is a lot like Yellowstone with people just sitting around talking, but the stories also feel more impactful and meaningful and it just feels more engaging than the ranchhands bantering like you get there.

Definitely glad I finally got the chance to start watching this show and hope it continues to deliver.

The plot holes have landed

[silverton-37959 · 7/10 · 2 December 2023]

Of course, this wouldn't be part of the Yellowstone universe without plot holes, but they are already starting to pile up in just the 3rd episode. Seems that the plot device of only one English speaker among the Europeans, and that one being made the spokesman, was wrong. Damn near all the Europeans speak enough English to argue with Shea. The spokesman has been promoted to "leader" between commercials, I guess since I don't remember it happening formally.

Another kind of big plot hole is the way that the Duttons all suddenly know how to work cattle on horseback on an open range. That isn't a skill you develop on a farm in Virginia or Tennessee or whatever eastern state they came from. Taylor is delivering the plot holes as expected, but they're coming a little too fast.

So boring! Ugh the main girl is awful!

[hpcmakeup · 1/10 · 5 February 2022]

A lot of talking that goes on way too long. No action. No real story. No conflict and no resolution. Some really bad over acting and really annoying accents. I have no idea why Faith Hill has had dirt on her face for the entire series.. This series is not good! I won't be watching anymore.