Copyright Screen Rant
These Western TV shows are as good as their pilot episodes. While there are so many exciting action scenes from Western movies, this genre works particularly well on the small screen, but it doesn't work if the first episode is boring. The long-form storytelling of a Western show lets us become invested in family sagas, ongoing feuds between villains and heroes, and memorable settings. From some of the most classic and beloved series with hundreds of episodes to a more recent hit that brought many fans to the genre, these Western shows drew us in with the pilot and then continued to wow us. While these shows all have longer story arcs that hook us, they have plenty of fun one-off episodes, too. Wynonna Earp (2016-2021) This fun and very different kind of Western show adds a lot to the genre, from a confident female main character to a supernatural premise. The pilot lets us get to know Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano), who searches for Revenants, evil outlaws that come back to life. The pilot, "Purgatory," explains the gripping premise and shares that this is also a moving family story. Wynonna spends time with her sister Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), and we learn Wynonna is in danger unless she can stop the Revenants. From this moment, we're invested in her and hope she can achieve her goal. Like Supernatural, Wynonna Earp features plenty of demons along with a likable protagonist who cares deeply about her family, and it's nice to see a twist on the classic Western story. The series has four seasons that each have an incredibly quick pace, and later episodes are as exciting as the pilot. Season 4's "Hell Raisin' Good Time" is particularly entertaining thanks to its Halloween setting, which allows the show to really lean into its creepy tone. Bonanza (1959-1973) The 14-season NBC series kicked off with an engaging first episode that let viewers know they were in for an intense and entertaining ride. The show blends family drama with typical Western plotlines about crimes in a small town. The pilot's major storyline gives you all the information you need to enjoy the show. When Alpheus Troy (George Macready), who made his money in the mining industry, asks Lotta Crabtree (Yvonne De Carlo) to kidnap one of Ben Cartwright's (Lorne Greene) children, it's clear Troy's a villain and Ben is a hero. Bonanza reveals more about Ben during the show's run. He's grieving the deaths of three women he loved (and the mothers of his three sons), which is a significant part of his character arc. Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001) The CBS Western Walker, Texas Ranger aired for nine seasons and more than 200 episodes, and they're all as fantastic and action-packed as the pilot. It's a true classic in the genre, with action movie star Chuck Norris playing tough main character Cordell Walker. The two-part pilot, "One Riot, One Ranger," features a fascinating and adventure-filled storyline about a bank robbery and also introduces Ranger James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), with whom Walker is now working. Each episode gives you just what you want: a new "bad guy" Walker has to catch in Texas, sometimes more than one. The series was so popular that it led to a reboot, Walker, starring Jared Padalecki, which aired for four seasons from 2021 to 2024. Unfortunately, the new version doesn't hold the same significance in popular culture, although it's one of Padalecki's best TV characters. Hell On Wheels (2011-2016) From the start of Hell on Wheels, you know it's going to be a wild ride with high stakes and heavy emotions. The premise is shared from the very start: Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), who was a soldier, is looking for the people who murdered his wife. A Western hero looking for revenge isn't anything new, and this classic trope is the premise for most shows in the genre. But when it works, it's a compelling way to ensure viewers are invested, and that's exactly why it's so clever here. There has to be some emotion and meaning behind all the action scenes, after all. The setting of the First Transcontinental Railroad is also set up in the pilot, along with the devastating treatment of Native Americans, which is a significant part of the story. Gunsmoke (1955-1975) A lot of TV shows can't maintain a lengthy, high-quality run of more than a few seasons, but Gunsmoke was an incredible Western that had an excellent pilot and continued that trend. The best part of the pilot is meeting Matt Dillon (James Arness), the U.S. Marshal who is the focal point of Gunsmoke's excellent 635 episodes. Matt is a loveable hero who feels compassion for the residents of Dodge City, Kansas, and in the first episode, which is brilliantly titled "Matt Gets It," he gets hurt but tries to stop someone from causing harm in the small town. With such an overwhelming number of episodes and a 20-year run, many episodes of Gunsmoke blend together, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. No matter which one you watch, Matt is the kind of tough character you expect to see in the genre. Deadwood (2004-2006) The Deadwood pilot introduces Marshal Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and starts and ends with a chilling, violent scene that lets us know this will be a harsh yet captivating series. Although Bullock and Sol Star (John Hawkes) now own a hardware store in a small South Dakota town, it's clear that they'll be responding to threats left and right. Deadwood only has three seasons with 36 episodes, but it can be tricky to top such a well-crafted first episode. Still, the HBO series does just that, thanks to a strong performance from Olyphant. Given his typical comedic roles, it's even more interesting to watch the actor play such a hardened character who goes after whatever he wants and doesn't care who stands in his way. Yellowstone (2018-2024) While some weren't pleased with how Yellowstone continued after Kevin Costner's departure, it's hard to argue against the overwhelming popularity of the show. The pilot episode, "Daybreak," is still an incredible introduction to life on the Dutton Ranch, and since most of the series is excellent, it's still one of the best contemporary Westerns. The end of the Yellowstone pilot is shocking and unsettling, setting up John Dutton's (Costner) quest to help his family thrive and succeed no matter what, and the complicated nature of that wish. Justified (2010-2015) Timothy Olyphant's other Western is incredible and might be even better than Yellowstone since most episodes are as strong as the pilot. The fun, hilarious, and wildly entertaining Justified hinges on U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Olyphant) and his number one enemy Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), and we can't stop watching them for a second. Season 1, episode 1, "Fire in the Hole," doesn't shy away from a dark and layered storyline. Raylan starts working in the area he's from, which means keeping an eye on Boyd, whom he knew as a kid. This background is smart and raises the stakes, especially since Boyd is now committing crimes as a white supremacist.
