From watching the pilot, I saw this show is a soap set in North Dakota. It focuses on Billy and Cody LeFever, who moved out there, hoping for a better life, and are met with disappointment even before they get there. They struggle to find stable ground, but through a bit of luck and ingenuity, find a way to secure some land that is worth quite a lot to the man that rules the town, Hap Briggs. With a baby on the way, they make a deal, and become Hap and his wife Darla's new business partners and somewhat friends. So far, the quick cash has yet to corrupt them, even giving some back to friends they made when they first got to town, but with all that money and power on the line, things will get complicated. On the other side from the dreamers is the spoiled son of Hap Briggs, Wick. Cut off by his father, he wants what he thinks he deserves, and is willing to do some dangerous things to get it. This is a messy soap if I ever saw one. It was interesting, I'll give it that, but I didn't immediately fall in love. I could definitely see this show becoming a bit of a guilty pleasure for some. The backdrop just gives way to the stories; it is really all about the people. Each character has their own motivations and their own moral line. Hap and Darla want to keep their empire, and are willing to bend the rules to do that (corrupting government officials is not off the table). Wick is just careless. He loves his lifestyle, and has no concern for anyone else. He doesn't agree with his father's idea that he should work for his piece, having no interest in earning it. And then there are Billy and Cody. They might be the underdogs, but don't count them out. They quickly pick up a few tricks, learning exactly how to negotiate with Hap. So, looking for drama, competition, and friends and enemies that could easily change sides, this is a show for you. For me, not so much. It could use some work, Hap Briggs, played by Don Johnson, gave the strongest impression, whereas we could use to get to know the other characters better before they really connect. But this just isn't for me, so I will not be continuing. I still say, check it out for yourself on Sundays on ABC at 9/8c. Until tonight . . .
