Elkhorn

First off I love Teddy Roosevelt's story and most people wouldn't believe he did what he actually did. From tracking down outlaws to storming San Juan Hill to exploring the Amazon but this production was just bad. Poor set design poor acting and cheesy dialog. My first peeve is the choice of Mason Beal (who?) for the lead role. In real life Teddy was a sickly child who overcame that through "living the vigorous life." This included vigorous exercise, boxing, rowing and hunting trips to name a few. He was a husky man of 5'10" 190-200 pounds not the 5'7" 145 pip squeak Mason Beal. I feel his acting occasionally hits the mark in speech type and high reedy pitch but he wasn't the weak fragile little man shown here. He radically reformed the New York police department while commissioner during a time of extreme corruption. He was a very capable man who never backed down

The acting here is categorically bad and often painful to listen to. Very stereotypical portrayals of the characters and at times very cheap backlot sets make this feel like an after school special. The antagonist Marquis de Morès is portrayed by an American actor with a horrendous French accent that borders on comical. In reality the 2 did clash occasionally, once over land rights and once over cattle sale, the Marquis did kill a cowboy in a gunfight but not over land purchases.

Elkhorn was made for the INSP cable Network which I've never heard of and it shows in production value. If you like Hallmark Channel quality production you may like this Series because his story truly is incredible. I just hope one day that story can be told by more capable hands.

A riveting storyline with a charismatic villain. I love the Western genre and lore, as well. Not sure how historically accurate it all is, but that's mostly on me and the American public school system for getting a D in American history. Despite any artistic liberties, I'm at least being made aware of numerous historical figures, places and events that I otherwise might have never been made aware of. And on a pure entertainment level, there's plenty of conflict and great acting to keep me coming back for more. I hope this gets renewed for another season so I'm not left hanging. More like this, please!

I am a huge fan of westerns and for me the jury is still out on this one. Mr. Roosevelt rides off to a destination with the only directions being, "ride 40 miles due north" and miraculously rides right to it. All the provisions for this 3 day trip are in one small bag hanging from his saddle. The firewood he uses is perfectly cut with a saw. After riding for some time, he dismounts from his horse and walks away, (not tying the horse up) apparently trusting the horse not to run off and leave him stranded in middle of nowhere.

Three other riders make the same trip, and they too carry nothing with them. When the cattle arrive, the actors close to the camera are dressed to look the part, but the riders in the distance, working the cattle clearly are wearing modern clothing and hats. At the beginning of the show, guns are fired, and no one even flinches at the sound. In one episode, a single cowboy has a red-hot branding iron and is interrupted as he's about to brand a cow, who is standing up! That wouldn't end well! Roosevelt enters two fist fights without even taking off his glasses. Really?

It's the director's job to pay attention to details like these that can make a show believable. (or unbelievable.) I would think there must be someone on the set who would point these things out and try and make it a little more authentic.

Hard to understand how some reviewers rate is show a 10 !

Elkhorn, the latest drama series from INSP, immerses viewers in the rugged, untamed world of the American frontier, where survival and community are inextricably linked. Set in the late 1800s, the series follows a group of settlers as they navigate the challenges of life on the Western frontier, from treacherous terrain to personal conflicts. The show excels at blending historical accuracy with captivating storytelling, drawing in audiences with its compelling mix of action, drama, and strong character arcs. The cinematography captures the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the West, while the narrative weaves in rich themes of family, loyalty, and resilience.

One standout feature of Elkhorn is its talented ensemble cast, each actor bringing depth to their roles. However, a notable missed opportunity is the relatively limited screen time of Travis Lee Eller, who plays the shopkeeper Joe Ferris. Eller's portrayal of Joe is understated yet magnetic, and his character has the potential to add significant emotional and narrative layers to the series. As the owner of a local general store, Joe Ferris occupies an essential role in the community, and his calm demeanor and shrewd business acumen could offer a unique perspective on the challenges facing the town. Unfortunately, the show doesn't give Eller enough room to fully explore Joe's character, leaving fans wishing for more of his nuanced, quietly powerful performance. A deeper focus on Joe Ferris could have provided a welcome contrast to some of the more intense, action-driven storylines, creating a richer, more rounded portrayal of life in Elkhorn.

Overall, I loved the series and sincerely hope for a season two!

First off, I've always been interested in TR. I've read many things about his life in politics. But, what also fascinated me was his"free spirt" he always showed and presented beyond just politics.

So, with the lose of his beloved wife and mother on the same day, and his " free spirit" and determination he presented in all my reading of what he did after those great losses, I was fascinated and intrigued by what his decisions after. GOING WEST.

I thought what a great story that would be. And, yes, Elkhorn is that story. Sure, I realize the budget on the production of Elkhorn was modest and the story itself deserved more. But, Bravo for this story.

Very well cast, scripted and directed. Kudos to Michael Ojeda, the director for getting the most from his cast. We're well paced.

Thank You for the story Dan Blair.