Review of Legacy

Legacy (1998–1999)
10/10
Exceptional but underrated.
2 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Legacy, one of the few Western series to grace American television screens in recent years, was set on a Kentucky horse farm soon after the American Civil War. The Logan family, headed up by patriarch Ned (Brett Cullen), dealt with a series of domestic and romantic crises, such as the arrival of 17-year old orphan Jeremy, and Sean Logan's interracial affair with the daughter of a former slave. Although Legacy had lush location footage and an appealing cast, the ratings were not impressive, and after one season the show became one of many series thrown on the scrap heap by UPN.

A number of cast members such as Grayson McCouch and Sharon Leal went on to find success in other daytime and prime time series.

A family-run horse farm nestled among the rolling blue grass hills of post-Civil War Kentucky provides the picturesque backdrop for LEGACY, a family drama series that chronicles the proud and close-knit Logan family as they struggle to maintain their deep-seated family values of hard work and integrity in a society increasingly driven by money, power and self-indulgence.

"My grandfather came to this country 100 years ago and built an incredible life for his family out of nothing. This land means everything to us... He left us a legacy - to give others less fortunate than we are a chance to turn their lives around." - Ned Logan.

The family is led by patriarch Ned Logan (Brett Cullen, Young Riders, Falcon Crest), a widower and horse breeder who strongly believes in the "legacy" passed down by his Irish ancestors - to build a solid foundation of love and support for his family while giving others less fortunate a chance to make better lives for themselves. Yet, in a rapidly changing world, it is this very noble and "old-fashioned" belief that creates conflict within his family and within their community.

Beyond stables of horses and acres of farmland, Ned must keep sight of his family, whose lofty ambitions, romantic entanglements and mischievous adventures ensure the Logan's notoriety within social circles. Eldes son Sean (Grayson McCough, Armageddon) is a handsome, charismatic young man with a promising future and a secret love that could threaten his dreams; Clay (Jeremy Garrett, Sweet Valley High), the passionate, yet hot-tempered son, who often feels that his father's compassion for others does not extend to him; Alice (Lea Moreno, Doomrunners), an upright and conflicted teenager forced by her mother's death to play the maternal role in the family, but still searching for her own identity; and Lexy (Sarah Rayne, Teen Angel), the youngest and most willful of the offspring, who often demonstrates wisdom beyond he years.

Adding drama to the family's already delicate balance is Jeremy (Ron Melendez, Perfect Body), a street-wise and troubled 17 year-old orphan from New York who is taken in by Ned Logan. With a history of dishonesty and petty crime, Jeremy finds himself a fish out of water as he builds both relationships and rifts with the rest of the Logan family.

Raising children in a world that measures a person's success by his or her material possessions isn't easy, but Ned Logan is determined to overcome any obstacles to keep his family together and strong. After all... the Logans have a "legacy" to uphold.
9 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed