By Josh Ball
After the success of “Yellowstone” and its spinoff series, Taylor Sheridan’s new show “The Madison” was released to Paramount+ and did not disappoint. Sporting a mix of established stars and young faces, “The Madison” executes all the best of TV dramas.
The first 20 minutes featured Stacy and Preston Clyburn (Michelle Pfeifer and Kurt Russell), a couple happily married for 40 years in New York’s bustling metropolis. Preston was visiting his brother, Paul (Matthew Fox) in Montana for a birthday fishing trip, while Stacy held down the fort at home. Just as I was falling in love with the characters, tragedy struck as their small plane hit a mountain and the Clyburn brothers died in the crash. Stacy flew herself and her family to Montana to organize a burial on the ranch Preston owned.
The most standout part of the show is the characters. Every one of them is perfect. Beau Garrett brings all the confidence needed with a twinge of doubt to her character, Abigail, while Elle Chapman’s portrayal of younger sister, Paige, made me dislike her every bit as much as the controlling character required. Michelle Pfeifer’s performance is laudatory above all. She brought subtlety to a wife and mother struggling to hide her pain at losing a husband. Even Patrick J. Admas’ character, Russell McIntosh (Paige’s husband), served a purpose in his ineptitude.
Thematically, the exploration of what it means to be a man sticks out immediately. Preston is the biggest example of a good man. Though his role was smaller, mostly conveyed through flashback and voice-over, the show made clear that he led with wisdom and care. He was the kind of man everyone wants as a dad.
Other examples of this wholesome masculinity include neighbor Cade Harris (Kevin Zegers) and Deputy Van Davis (Ben Schnetzer). They are traditional country gentlemen, showing respect and chivalry, as well as genuine goodwill and kindness to the suffering neighbors.
This is contrasted with the only character I disliked: Russell McIntosh. The real contrast is between traditional values and the new world, embodied in these men. Russell repeatedly fails to act and constantly falls short in wisdom (he doesn’t even know how to start a fire), while being toxically bullied by his wife, Paige.
One thing Sheridan focuses on in all of his shows is the beauty of God’s creation. Though he does not know the Creator behind it, he certainly appreciates the beauty of general revelation. Every moment with Preston emphasized the natural beauty of Montana. Speeches bordering on poetry reflected on the intricacies of the environment and how it works. The awe with which Sheridan and his characters observe God’s world is something to be admired.
The music in the show was stellar. From the opening theme, I was enthralled by it. It set the tone perfectly. The blending of instruments was amazing, reflecting the beauty of the setting and the darkness of the themes, never letting up. At every step of the show, when dialogue waned, the music was ready to keep the viewer engaged.
Only two things stood out as needing improvement: the language and the theology of Heaven. Throughout all six episodes, harsh language was a constant issue. Too many lines contained some form of profanity. During the funeral, the pastor expounded on Heaven as the writers understand it. His words were comforting to the surviving wife and daughters, but showed a misunderstanding of how Heaven works.
What Sheridan did well was tell a story. “The Madison” did this in all its classical glory. Though there was no action, the audience were never bored. As the characters interacted with each other, they learned and grew. Family bonds were tested and strengthened while character flaws were forced to be confronted before the person could change. “The Madison” was a refreshingly simple demonstration of what stories can be. Despite the issues, I cannot wait for season two.
‘The Madison’ is streaming on Paramount+
Josh Ball is a junior history major. He enjoys spending time in creation and admiring God’s handiwork. Now he wants to move to Montana.
Images courtesy of Paramount Television Studios
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