This show seems a bit like a combination of "Sons of
Anarchy" and "Justified." However, it also has a hint
of supernatural and fantasy. It's about a group of mountain
folk (called Farrells) in Appalachian coal country (similar
to "Justified"), but these folks are mostly cut off from the
outside world. That's about where the similarities to
"Justified" end because that show had poetry and subtlety
that this one lacks.
The Farrells have their own language and customs, and
laws. They only come down from the mountain occasionally to
steal supplies. They apparently don't use guns, for the most
part, so everyone leaves them alone. Also, there are rumors
about them having supernatural powers. Between that and the
weird language, it's almost like a show like "Sword of
Shannara." However, they really don't have powers, from what
I can tell, so it's all just a bunch of rednecks acting
tough.
Their wanna-be leader, played by David Morse, a fabulous
actor, is not happy when his mother, Lady Ray (the current
leader) decides that one of their other people, Asa, should
be the new leader. Asa left their mountain almost a decade
ago but returned, begging to be let back in. They don't
usually let people back in, so they put him in a metal cage
for awhile to punish him. Aside from the fact that
they don't seem to have random sex, or use guns, they seem
like a bit of a cult. Lady Ray hears that some
companies want to blow up their mountain to get to the
much-needed coal, so she thinks Asa will be a better leader
(and it was in their prophecy). Asa, unlike the rest
of them, can read, which is a valuable skill. He's also the
most sympathetic character in the show, along with some of
the women. He's hiding a big secret, though, about why he
had to run back to the mountain.
Kyle Gallner ("Veronica Mars") plays young Hasil,
who isn't too satisfied living on the mountain (and wants to
meet new young women). He gets himself into big trouble.
It's not clear whether the Farrells are in-bred or not,
although one of the people from the coal company does make
snide remarks about them sleeping with their sisters. The
small town below the mountain is run by a sheriff, but he
and the other police generally leave the mountain men alone
because they're very violent and willing to defend their
homes to the death.
To make more of the SOA connection, Ryan Hurst, who
played Opie in that show, also stars in this one. "The
Outsiders" seems to be a very good drama, but it is
definitely violent and sometimes hard to watch. Like SOA, there are no good guys. Just some
innocents who get hurt, killed or corrupted; bad guys; and
worst guys.
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