Longmire on A&E wraps up its first season tonight. For my money, Longmire was the best cable program this summer. Great cast! Robert Taylor plays Walt Longmire, the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. He’s a wily veteran detective who solves some baffling cases. The scripts are above average. If you missed this fine series, you can watch Longmire online at the A&E website. It may be available to you on-demand with your cable system. And, I’m sure the DVD set will show up in stores within the month. I’ll be looking forward to Season Two of Longmire.
For those of us who are fans of the books a couple of the changes made in the television series were jarring, but I agree they did a pretty good job. I think they may have made a mistake, however, with the first and (tonight’s) last show by trying to cram an entire book (this one seems to be based on THE COLD DISH, the first in the series) into a one hour time slot.
I was also impressed with Taylor, an Aussie actor I didn’t know before, as Longmire.
I’m with you on Robert Taylor who plays Longmire, Jeff. Terrific actor! The pacing of the episodes is sometimes uneven, but this series was my favorite of the summer.
These all feel too rushed to me. I think they should be ninety minutes to have time to develop the plots more. We could spend a lot more time understanding Rez-Town relations for one thing. Still, I love the cast and setting. It’s on a par with THE CLOSER but not BREAKING BAD or JUSTIFIED in terms of the writing. (IMHO). A better arc might helps but mostly more time to tell the story.
I agree with you on the 90-minute idea, Patti. A&E could easily go with that format.
I like these but I wish they had stuck closer to the books. And the weather, which plays such a large part of the books, is non-existent except for the first episode.
LONGMIRE could be set in Wyoming or New Mexico as far as the scenery and weather goes, Stan. Good point.
Of course, I keep expecting Henry to be bigger than Walt and every time I see Lou Diamond Phillips I do a little double take.
The Lou Diamond Phillips casting choice is puzzling, Jeff. But I’ve adjusted to it.
I also enjoyed the series and had my own perspective on the characters having not read any of the books. Hope to remedy that soon.
Several people have told me they like the cable series better the novels, Randy. I’ve only read the first Longmire book, THE COLD DISH. It was okay, but nothing special.
I wasn’t that taken with THE COLD DISH either – too much time on descriptive passages – but the series has definitely grown on me.
I’m having the same reaction to LONGMIRE, Jeff. I found THE COLD DISH too long and I figured out “whodunnit” early on.
I found THE COLD DISH overly descriptive. He toned that down in later books. I think as he got more comfortable with the characters he relaxed more. Or maybe that’s just my interpretation.
I am both looking forward to and dreading the Longmire Season Finale! Looking forward to understanding more, but dreading the near year long hiatus! Definitely my favorite thing to watch this summer and the seasons to come.
I share your dread, Pamela. LONGMIRE has been my favorite summer show. It’s hard to wait a year for more Good Stuff!
I’m already missing the show and the finale hasn’t happened yet. What an amazing, delightful surprise it turned out to be.
I’m with you, James. I had no real expectations for LONGMIRE when it first aired. But after the first episode, I was hooked!
I’m familiar with the books but not with the series. Something tells me I’d better catch up. I’ll have to check the A&E website since I no longer have cable. Thanks!
I was pleasantly surprised by the A&E version of LONGMIRE, YVette. They’re worth watching. I can’t wait until the series returns next year.
walt longmire – finally!!! what a real man looks like, acts like and sooooooo appealing in so many ways. not one of the pretty boys that seem to flood tv these days; but the real deal. please keep making this series so we can enjoy more of him.
Robert Taylor looks like he was born to play the role of Walt Longmire, Autumn. I can’t wait for the next season to begin!
We want to watch all the programs again. Put reruns on for everyone. If this wasn’t the best series on TV it was #2.
I’m sure the DVD set of LONGMIRE will be available soon, Jim & Annette.