The mark of great storytelling is the ability to address current issues in an entertaining manner. There may be viewers who are watching this series for the mind-numbing effects it most certainly can provide, being essentially a Western found near the end of the Wild West era of the good ol' U. S. of A. But my money is on the possibility that a large majority of viewers are enjoying this story because it deals with issues that humanity at large has yet to fully deal with or appreciate, depending on the value placed upon the ideal--greed, hatred, power, the thrill of torture, ethnic prejudice, true romance, living life on the edge, sadism, survival, hope, belief (faith), and love. Despite what the American system was developed to accomplish--namely to create a state of living good for Caucasians of British descent and uncomfortable for any people falling outside of that narrow scope--there have always been good, moral people living in the States (and territories) who have cared for others as well as themselves, and who carry no prejudices against any others. The Duttons are just such a family--a clan anyone would be proud to belong to. There are extremely shocking scenes throughout the series--rape, torture, brutality, sadism, murder, postmortem mutilation, and of course gunfights. Here's hoping the writers/actors strike ends soon so the writers and directors can continue with this brilliant saga as good as or just a touch better than the 1883 series which tells of the earlier Dutton clan.
Review of 1923
