#the best TV series of 2024

[grigori77]

2024 in TV - My Top 10 Shows

10. TWILIGHT OF THE GODS (Netflix)

Yeah, I know, first entry here’s probably gonna be a controversial choice – how could I pick THIS over so many far more worthy properties? Honestly, I just REALLY LIKED THIS, and this is my FAVOURITES for 2024, it ain’t a purely CRITICAL list, and I’m a person who LIKES a bit of trash occasionally, which this DEFINITELY is. But it’s REALLY GORGEOUS trash, and it’s FUN, so live with it. Seriously, even before Rebel Moon Zack Snyder was already considered one of the most shamelessly adolescent and pure sound-and-fury filmmakers out there, but given the sort of material he usually makes animation is actually the PERFECT art form for him – this is a medium in which it often PAYS to exaggerate things, to deliver glossy overblown action and stripped back archetypal storytelling and character development. Snyder’s THIRD collaboration with Netflix, therefore, is the perfect encapsulation of his entire aesthetic, but also deserves to be considered amongst his VERY BEST WORK, almost as good as early highlights like Dawn of the Dead, 300 and Watchmen. Besides, a full-blooded, ultraviolent and just plain SEXY reimagination of classic Norse mythology is the perfect project for him to work on, and he delivers in fine style here, aided in no small part by co-creators Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Ark, Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas) and Eric Carrasco (Supergirl, Foundation), along with an extremely game vocal cast which includes Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049, See), Stuart Marten (Rebel Moon, Miss Scarlett & the Duke), Rahul Kohli (iZombie and most of Mike Flanagan’s TV series’), Jamie Clayton (Sense8, Hellraiser) and heavyweights like Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones) and the mighty Peter Stormare, who bring the fascinating collection of jaded, indifferent gods and vengeful, rebellious vikings to vital life. Coupled with beautifully offbeat, highly stylised 2D animation (which carries strong hints of Cartoon Saloon throughout) and an intense and oppressive score from Hans Zimmer, this is a dark and seductive feast for the senses.

9. THE GENTLEMEN (Netflix)

Back in early 2020, Guy Ritchie was rightly lauded for his long-awaited return to London gangland-based cinema (a film which many considered to be a real return to form, even though I never thought he’d actually fallen off, and I know I wasn’t alone), and we were all enthusiastically onboard for a sequel, especially after this film’s much deserved critical AND commercial success. Then the Pandemic hit, and (for that and other, more unfathomable reasons) his career seemed to take something of a shocking (and entirely undeserved) nosedive … so the arrival of this spinoff series from Netflix in the New Year came as a much needed and very welcome surprise, and the final product definitely lived up to expectations without reservations. Theo James (the Divergent films) is our enjoyably complex “hero”, Eddie Horniman, a former soldier and the new Duke of Halstead who returns from a UN Peacekeeping mission to take over his late father’s estate only to find himself in a very tricky spot indeed when he discovers his inheritance comes with some very problematic strings attached because his father was keeping everything afloat by renting out his land as an expansive and lucrative cannabis factory for a particularly ruthless London drug firm headed by incarcerated kingpin Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone) and his Machiavellian daughter Susie (The Maze Runner and Skins’ Kaya Scodelario). Eddie’s attempts to find a way to wriggle out of this increasingly smothering obligation make for some enjoyably offbeat shenanigans, Ritchie’s eclectic sense of humour and deftly skilful balance of anarchic fun and casual violence making for a rewardingly edgy thrill ride. The cast is, as has become par for the course with this particular filmmaker, also uniformly on top form, with the ever-reliable James and Scodelario joined by the likes of Joely Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Freddie Fox and the welcome return of one of Ritchie’s original good luck charms, Vinnie Jones, although the show is consistently stolen by Daniel Ings (Lovesick, The Crown) as Eddie’s black sheep elder brother Freddie, who got passed over in the line of succession for being a truly spectacular fuck-up. In the end, not only does this pay great respect to the original film it (sort of) follows, but it’s another perfect example of what Ritchie does best, and I’m very much looking forward to the already greenlit second season.

8. STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS (season 5, Paramount+)

I was a bit late to the party for this, having only actually gotten round to checking out Solar Opposites creator and Rick & Morty writerMike McMahan’s animated comedy series early this year, but I fell in love with it FAST, and it’s now become one of my very favourite shows in the ENTIREStar Trekroster (putting it into DIRECT competition with Strange New Worlds, in fact). This was always a show that’s been made with clear love and respect for the source material, which is, of course, how all the best lampoons work, and the final season maintains that high quality to bring the whole saga to a fittingly grand close. Jack Quaid’s OTHER best creation (alongside The Boys’ Hughie), neurotic super-nerd Brad Boimler, and Space Force’s Tawny Newsome’s unrepentant rebel Becket Mariner remain the core focus of the main cast, but my heart will always belong first and foremost to the endlessly effervescent bright spark that is Orion junior science officer D’Vana Tendi, still voiced with endearing charm by Master of None’s Noël Wells, and it’s nice to see her friend (and occasional foil), Gabrielle Ruiz’ new Vulcan officer T’Lyn, finally get promoted from guest star to main cast, too. Once again, this is filled to bursting with goofy, anarchic and perfectly pitched comedic twists on classic tropes, conventions and lore from across the entire gamut of the various series AND movies, once again throwing more brilliant cameos from old favourites into the mix (right down to a truly inspired Brent Spiner appearance), but there’s no denying that this is also one of the most consistently well-written and thoroughly INSPIRED shows in the entire canon, often putting far more high profile and expensive series to shame with the embarrassing WEALTH of creative talent displayed by everyone involved. It genuinely feels like the end of an era, and given that I’ve only just discovered this it feels like it’s over WAY too soon ...

7. 3 BODY PROBLEM (Netflix)

All right, first off I have NOT read the original novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin, so I have NO frame of reference regarding how faithful adaptation this actually IS, so I can only go off my own personal gut reaction to the quality of the material itself … but I REALLY LIKED THIS a whole lot. Then again, there’s a genuinely fascinating premise at its core – a group of bright young academics find themselves at the centre of a disturbing and potentially cataclysmic intergalactic conspiracy after a strange immersive video game revolving around a fiendishly difficult astronomical physics problem turns out to pertain to a VERY REAL approaching alien invasion … Game of Thrones’ co-”creators” David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are clearly looking to achieve career-based some retribution after said series’ frustrating final season, and for now it looks like they’re succeeding, teaming up with co-showrunner Alexander Woo (best known for his work on True Blood and The Terror) to craft a rewardingly labyrinthine slowburn suspense thriller bursting with intriguing ideas and well-rounded, exquisitely crafted characters. Of course, it helps that they’ve assembled a truly exceptional cast to make things so much easier, with Jovan Adepo (Fences, Overlord), Eiza Gonzalez, breakout star Jess Hong and, in particular, Alex Sharp (The Trial of the Chicago 7, How To Talk To Girls At Parties) all standing out alongside GOT alumni John Bradley and Liam Cunningham and heavyweight veterans like Benedict Wong and Jonathan Pryce. This is definitely one of the most singularly inventive and challenging series that Netflix has put out in some time, a fascinatingly immersive intellectual thrill ride that poses some really intriguing BIG QUESTIONS but stubbornly refuses to provide any REAL answers until late in the game in the best tradition of well-executed “mystery box” television … meanwhile the Panama Canal sequence is destined to go down as one of the most spine-chilling and nightmarish set-pieces I have EVER seen on the small screen. That scene ALONE makes this worthy of a place one this list ...

6. DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON (AKA Dungeon Meshi) (Netflix)

My latest favourite anime series is a very strange beast, genuinely one of the weirdest shows I’ve EVER come across, but very much in that wonderfully committed way that only anime can really pull off. Essentially it’s a culinary show, where obsessive attention is paid to EVERY ASPECT of a recipe before we get some genuine food porn payoff shots of the finished cuisine before watching the characters indulge in the resulting taste sensations. But it’s also a perfect lampoon of classic high fantasy action adventure tropes, taking wickedly accurate potshots at the likes of Dungeons & Dragons and its ilk that can ONLY be performed by someone who actually knows and LOVES the material they’re poking fun at. Then again, this is an almost RELIGIOUSLY faithful adaptation of an immensely popular manga series from fiendishly talented writer/artist Ryoko Kui (Terrarium In Drawer) which is regarded as one of the most unique and inventive titles out there right now … this is nothing less than PERFECT, a frequently HILARIOUS delight as we follow a motley crew of misfit adventurers on a dungeon crawl as they try to rescue one of their number from a fate worse than death, all while being forced to cook and eat the bodies of the various monstrous creatures they encounter along with way due to scarce supplies. The characters are all wonderfully original creations, each with deeply fascinating backstories and enjoyably complex personalities, particular co-leads Laios Touden (Damien Haas in the English dub, best known for his work on Fire Emblem and Like a Dragon), a hyper-focused super-nerd human warrior with a deeply ingrained obsession with monsters, and Marcille Donato (live action One Piece’s Emily Rudd), a high-strung neurotic elf mage who’s pretty much the absolute DEFINITION of girl-fail, although it made me SO HAPPY when later episodes saw the long-awaited arrival of fan favourite (and mine) Izutsumi (Fire Emblem and Goddess of Victory’sLaura Stahl), the prickly, picky and endearingly abrasive cursed catgirl that so brilliantly defies and challenges so many of the medium’s established conventions regarding this particular character trope. The results are one of the most addictive and genuinely “moreish” anime series I’ve ever come across – just what you want from a show so intrinsically focused on FOOD ...

5. THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA (season 3, Amazon Prime)

Is it any wonder that, for the third year in a row, Amazon’s animated adaptation of Critical Role’s legendary (ahem) first Dungeons & Dragons campaign has made my list, and again scored SO HIGH? Really? Never mind that I’ve been a pretty rabid Critter myself ever since I first stumbled into the fandom during Campaign 2, this is a genuinely BRILLIANT piece of work in its own right, Matt Mercer and co continuing to pull off a pretty beautiful job of distilling hundreds of hours of in-depth live tabletop roleplay into another twelve 20-some minute episodes of compellingly dynamic television. So strap in for another exciting rollercoaster ride through the embattled high fantasy lands of Exandria as our much put-upon band of adventurers continue their seemingly hopeless battle to defeat the monstrous machinations of the evil dragon collective of the Chroma Conclave, taking in blossoming romance, crises in confidence, family drama and more than one major character death … once again this is a tour-de-force achievement for all involved, although the lion’s share of the praise once again MUST go to the hard-working animators at Titmouse for delivering everything they were asked for and SO MUCH MORE. This is about as good as fantasy television gets, effortlessly pulling off in less than 300 minutes what whole seasons of shows like The Wheel of Time and The Rings of Power are really starting to struggle with in a whole lot more time (not you, House of the Dragon, you’re doing just fine darling). The main story arc may be over for now, but the scene’s nonetheless been seamlessly set for the next (and most devastating) chapter of the saga moving into season 4 (if you know you know), and I for one cannot wait.

4. HAZBIN HOTEL (Amazon Prime)

God bless Vivienne Mededrano, she has one of the most exciting minds in television right now. Her anarchic, profane and wonderfully unique animated series Helluva Boss on YouTube has already been a balm to the soul (and the second, far more emotionally resonant season has proven to be a particular improvement on what was already SO GOOD), but her magnificent spinoff series for Amazon genuinely leaves it in the dust – this is solid 24 caret gold showrunning, she deserves all the awards she can get for this one. Taking the comedy musical concept of the already very impressive YouTube pilot and running with it, this spectacular refinement of a first season is a genuine MASTERPIECE, Medrano and co crafting an epic saga packed with expansive vision, powerful emotional resonance and a gleefully dark sense of humour. Erika Henningsen (the Mean Girls musical) is a blinding ray of sunshine as Lucifer’s effervescent daughter Charlie Morningstar, unshakeably chipper in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds in her mission to use her titular hotel to help cleanse the souls of her supposedly irredeemable patrons, while Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s own Rosa Diaz) provides loving support as her far more cynical girlfriend Vaggie, and the cast is rounded out by a spectacular collection of top drawer vocal talent that includes serious Broadway talent like Alex Brightman (the School of Rock and Beetlejuice musicals), Christian Borle (Spamalot and the Legally Blonde musical), Jeremy Jordan (Supergirl() and Krystina Alabado (American Idiot and Mean Girls) alongside the silky tones of the legendary Keith David, but the show is roundly stolen by breakout star Blake Roman as the sassy and acerbic spidery pornstar Angel Dust. The musical numbers are truly legendary, easily the equal of anything we’ve seen in any of the big shows, the comedy never fails to hit and the animation is genuinely beautiful even when it’s at its weirdest, but the thing that this show has above anything else is true HEART, hitting us right in the feels as much as the funny bone. I am genuinely IN LOVE with this series, and I’m waiting with bated breath along with the rest of the fandom for the already greenlit next THREE SEASONS ...

3. SHŌGUN (FX)

One of the first serious, grown-up TV series I ever remember getting into when I was a kid was the 1980 miniseries adaptation of James Clavell’s sprawling historical epic novel, which told the story of John Blackthorne, an English navigator in the early 17th Century who finds himself shipwrecked on the mysterious islands of Japan and becomes a pawn in the deadly battle of wills between squabbling political factions within the samurai nobility vying for control of the nation after the death of the emperor. I loved the old show so much that I read the book, loved it even more, and subsequently read it a bunch of times since, so I was REALLY EXCITED when I found out that FX were pulling out all the stops to give it a lavish new long-form treatment. And then, within the first ten minutes of the opening episode, I knew this was something TRULY SPECIAL … this is a VERY JAPANESE series, not just because of the setting and subject matter but also because, while the focus IS on a Western character, the vast majority of the cast is Japanese and ultimately very little of the dialogue is actually in English (subtitle haters beware, there’s A LOT of reading involved in truly enjoying this show). Then again, being a proper Japanophile I absolutely LOVED IT. Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth, Calm With Horses) does make for a suitably robust and eloquent leading man, giving Blackthorne just the right balance of fish-out-of-water exasperation and wily precociousness, but the true heart of this series lies with the double threat of Anna Sawai (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) as glacial Christian interpreter Lady Mariko and living legend Hiroyuki Sanada, who effortlessly steals every scene he’s in with mesmerising subtlety as the powerful and ambitious Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who realises this intriguing young sailor is a potentially powerful tool in his plan to ascend to the titular position as supreme political master of all Japan. This is one of the most sumptuous and masterful historical epics I have EVER SEEN made for television, co-creators Rachel Kondo and her husband Justin Marks having seemingly come out of nowhere to create one of the greatest long-form series I’ve seen not only this past year but quite possibly for this decade so far! The dialogue is incredibly rich and endlessly quotable, the narrative immersive and rewardingly twisted, and the production and costume design, seamless effects work and action sequences are never anything less than FLAWLESS. It’s gone on to perform a CLEAN SWEEP at various primetime awards and RIGHTLY SO, this is a genuine MASTERPIECE, and FX definitely saw sense in taking what was originally intended to be a standalone miniseries and expand it into at least two more seasons moving forward. I can’t wait.

2. FALLOUT (Amazon Prime)

Now I’ll admit, not being a gamer I’ve mostly gotten to know the Fallout games through osmosis (mainly on here), but I definitely saw the potential in adapting it for television. The fact that it was Westworld co-creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy doing it just convinced me that it was guaranteed to be GOOD … and by the gods was I ever RIGHT in that estimation. This really has turned out to be Ella Purnell’s year (as well as Sweetpea she’s also returned to a particular star-making series we’ll talk about more later), the promising young Brit actress landing another well-deserved breakout lead turn as Lucy MacLean, a naïve young Vault Dweller forced to undertake a dangerous quest in the irradiated wasteland of post World War III California in order to rescue her abducted father Hank (Kyle McLachlan). Lucy’s massive culture clash as a literally sheltered youth raised in a nuclear bunker having to survive in a world where EVERYTHING is out to kill her in the worst ways imaginable makes for a suitably compelling central driving force for the series, while Aaron Moten (Disjointed) provides a similarly involving tangential narrative focus as Maximus, a squire for the militant Brotherhood of Steel who essentially STUMBLES into becoming a mech-armoured Knight as his own accidental hero’s quest brings him into Lucy’s orbit … the TRUE core of this series, however, is Walton Goggins as the Ghoul, an unapologetically amoral bounty hunter whose own dark past holds the key to the far greater overarching mystery at the heart of the whole story (not to mention that he consistently steals EVERY SINGLE SCENE that he’s in). Amazon have pulled out ALL THE STOPS to make this the very best viewing experience it can be, and every single penny of its impressive budget is right there on the screen, the worldbuilding really is some of the most impressive I’ve ever seen while the set-pieces are just as robust and enjoyably NASTY as you’d expect from an adaptation of such a subversively FUN video game. It’s also got a pretty jet black sense of humour, Nolan and Joy clearly appreciating the opportunity to do something a whole lot more irreverent after spending years on a property as serious as Westworld, although this does still pluck at the heartstrings with due skill when needed and definitely poses some VERY deep and pretty disturbing questions about war and capitalism and how often the two are inextricably tangled together. The end result is definitely the best live-action series we got in 2024 (sorry, Shogun), and I look forward to the second season.

1. ARCANE (season 2, Netflix)

Seriously, are any of you even surprised? I ADORED the first season of this series, despite the fact that I’m no more familiar with League of Legends than I am with Fallout I really have resonated with the property and I just LOVED what Riot and Fortiche put together in those simply PERFECT nine episodes, so I was so excited to see what they were going to do with what was intended to be the closer to this first story within their larger creative universe. Thankfully they have (essentially) pulled it off with similar skill, dropping another nine episode season that EASILY lives up to the example set by its predecessor while offering a suitably satisfactory payoff, as well as breaking ground for whatever they plan on when they move forward with new stories in promised follow-up Runeterra-based series. Sure, it’s not QUITE as perfect, there are parts of the narrative that feel a little truncated in places in the rush to reach a suitable climax, but what flaws there are ultimately prove insubstantial enough that they really don’t detract at all from our enjoyment of the work as a whole. It’s certainly hugely enjoyable getting to see everybody get their own well deserved rewards (or comeuppance), while also seeing some of our most beloved old faces (and some similarly brilliant new ones too) meet heartbreaking but nonetheless poetically powerful ends that are definitely given their due chance to have a real impact. Much like the first season it’s best to just go in good and cold, so spoilers are definitely best avoided … suffice to say this is JUST as gorgeous as what came before, Fortiche again producing a truly cinematic work of art that leaves anything else we’ve seen in animation this year choking in their dust, while the exquisite complimentary mixture of visuals and a magnificently opulent soundtrack once again provides suitable sensory joy throughout. In the end this is just as well-written, well-designed, well-performed, well-directed and just downright WELL-EXECUTED as the debut that won all the awards and much-deserved critical acclaim back in 2021, and it’s been a genuine privilege getting to see it all unfold. I’m just hoping they don’t leave us waiting ANOTHER three interminably long years for whatever they give us next ...

Honourable mentions:

Sweet Tooth (season 3, Netflix), Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Crunchyroll), Sweetpea (Sky Atlantic), The Penguin (Max), Invincible (season 2, Amazon Prime), The Edge of Sleep (Amazon Prime), The Brothers Sun (Netflix), Dead Boy Detectives (Netflix), Helluva Boss (season 2, YouTube), What We Do In the Shadows (season 6, FX)

[lost-inanotherlife]

middle aged, gay and married. who does it like them?

MEANWHILE JACK:

[hobgoblinsandpeachfuzz]

fallout season two theme song begins...

~kiss kiss fall in love~

[lovebooksforeversblog]

U AND I ❤🫶🏻

[t-wylia]

FALLOUT WON BEST ADAPTATION..!! NOT EVEN MAD ABOUT IT, I LOVE FALLOUT!!!!

I love arcane and Fallout with the same amount of love.

[i-heart-yellowstone]

34 - Norris Meets Dutton’s

Part 35

Raised Fair Share of Hell

Please leave comments of your thoughts or any suggestions ❤️

Tag list @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @whatelsecouldgowrong @lover-of-books-and-tea

Alissa’s pov 

Standing in the kitchen I waited on the oven timer to go off to tell me the biscuits I was making would be done, which not surprisingly were my eldest daughter’s favorite thing in the world.  Just like me and Kayce. 

My phone rang from its spot laying on the kitchen countertop so I picked it up reading my daughter's name coming up on the screen.  “Hey baby.  Are you on your way here now?” 

“Yeah.  Cooper and I left early this morning.  We should be there by dinner at seven.” 

Hoisting myself up onto the kitchen island I kicked my legs slightly up and down.  “That’s good to know.  I’ll have Gator cook some of your favorites for dinner.  Does Cooper have any allergies I should know about?” 

“No ma’am.” Cooper responded through the phone. 

Biting my lip I made a silent note in my head hearing my daughter sigh through her end of the phone.  “Honey, are you okay?  What’s wrong because I can sense there’s something upsetting or worrying you.” 

“I’m worried what daddy will think of him.  I mean I’ve never had any boyfriends growing up until now.” 

Pausing for a moment I debated on what to say next to my daughter.  She knows her father loves her, but he's also super protective.  “Look sweetie, your father loves you.  He loves his family more than anything else in the world.  So I get why you're worried but as long as your boyfriend is himself and treats you right everything will work itself out in the end.” 

“Thanks, mama.  I appreciate the advice.  We'll be there in a few hours.” 

Hitting the end call button I hung up with them.  “See you then.” Sliding off the counter I went to help Gator make the dinner we would eat tonight.  My mom, sister, Rip and the rest of our ranch hands would be working to prepare for the branding that would be in the next two or three days.  

The spread that would be laid out would be steak, potatoes and biscuits for dessert. 

An hour later I heard someone walk behind me before familiar arms wrapped around my waist.  “Who got you to make biscuits hmm?” Kayce nuzzles his nose into my neck kissing the crook of it where my shoulder blade meets my neck. 

“Our daughter is coming home for the branding while she's on fall break.” I responded, eyeing his hand that reaches for one of the fresh biscuits until I slapped it away with a spoon. “Hey, no!  Those are for dinner later tonight.  You can't eat them.” 

“Ow! I just want one.  Plus you know Tate and Madeline will smell them any minute now.” He rubbed his hand I had previously smacked. 

Bending down I opened the oven lid pulling out another tray of biscuits already prepared for what he had mentioned.  “That’s why I made an extra batch.  Now please get out of the kitchen.” Sure enough two sets of smaller feet came barreling down the staircase the second the delightful smell filled the whole lodge. 

A few hours afterwards it was exactly seven o’clock. Changing into a simple light blue dress I curled the ends of my hair and slipped on some short black cowgirl boots.  Searching through the house for my husband I finally peaked my head outside the front door seeing him sitting on the front porch swing with a shotgun laying across his lap.  “Kayce John Dutton. What on earth do you think you’re doing with that shotgun?” 

“I don't like the wind chimes.  They're gonna go in a second.” He came up with the best lie he could. 

Putting my hands on my hips I scowled at him, noticing the particular chimes he referred to had been long gone.  “You mean the previous wind chimes that Beth blew up with that exact firearm over ten years ago.” 

“Damn it.” He quickly realized that they weren't gone just like i did.  He avoided my gaze afterwards.  “I don’t want to tell you what I'm really doing with this.” 

“Kayce  - tell me you're not thinking of shooting this boy off our porch.” Walking away from the door once I closed it, taking a seat beside him on the swing. He sent me a serious and silent look where I put a hand to my forehead.  “Why do I feel like I married my father nowadays?” 

Kayce got slightly offended by my comment.  “Hey!” 

“You’re telling me you don't see it in yourself right now.” Meeting his gaze I raised a brow at my husband, knowing he was smart enough to see it.  “We have three kids, one son, and two daughters.  Our oldest daughter has her first boyfriend and you're sitting out here waiting with a shotgun sitting on your lap.  And by my count you'll threaten to shoot him just like my daddy did you when he found out you got me pregnant.” 

“I do agree with some of your fathers choices now - he’s here.” Kayce rose from the swing nearly launching me onto the ground hearing a vehicle coming down the driveway.  

“Mmm!” I grumbled under my breath getting up from the swing watching someone get out of the driver's side and open the passenger side door revealing our daughter.  It was an old red and white pickup truck.  Kayce currently had the gun pointed up until I pushed my hand down on the long barrel, aiming the loaded weapon to the ground.  “Put the gun down Clyde.” 

Kayce rolled his eyes, hating to hear our former nicknames of this town.  “Don’t make me start calling you Bonnie.” 

“Thanks.  Mama!” Faith smiled at her boyfriend before noticing me coming down the porch steps.  Extending my arms outward for her she flung herself into my embrace with laughter and happy tears. 

Kissing her hair I broke the hug so happy she was home.  “Ooh  I’ve missed you baby.  Now introduce me to this boyfriend of yours.  I can’t believe you told Aunt Beth before me.” 

My daughter eyed her boots before tipping her cowgirl hat up slightly, walking us back over to the truck with Texas plates.  “I’m sorry, mama.  But anyhow this is Cooper.  Copper, this is my mother.” He had brown slightly curly hair stuffed underneath a red Texas ball cap, wearing a gray flannel shirt, dark blue jeans and dusty brown boots. 

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Cooper held out his hand and I shook it gently. “Cooper, Cooper Norris.” 

“I’m Alissa.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Cooper nodded lifting his gaze up to the porch with his entire body shivering a something.  “Is he really going to shoot me if I step up onto the porch?”

“Kayce!” 

Faith turned her head to seeing exactly what I saw.  “Daddy!” 

“Put the damn shotgun down before I come up there and kick your ass.  You’re gonna scare the boy shitless.” 

Kayce slowly lowered the firearm glaring at the Texans boy, walking into the house carrying the weapon in hand.  “Just giving him a good warning.” 

“So - um that’s my daddy, Kayce.” Faith nervously chuckled. 

Raising my hands up I waved the pair up and inside the house, reminding myself to talk with my husband later about this first impression he just gave.  “Don’t worry I’ll make sure there’s no firearms at the dinner table.  Her father really is nice once you get to know him.” The three of us made our way into the house, where the two got settled on the living room couch for a few minutes. 

The doorbell rang a few times with it getting thrown opened where I heard my sister in law make a lord entrance with her husband following behind her.  “Where is my biscuit lovin’ niece and this boyfriend of hers at!” 

“Aunt Beth.  Uncle Rip!” Faith spun around on her boots, hugging each of them tightly with a huge smile on her face. 

Footsteps came around the corner where we saw John and Gator coming out of the kitchen heading to the dining room.  “Dinner is ready and we're eating at the dining table tonight.  Oh so this is your boyfriend, Faithy Rae.  I’m John, her grandfather.” 

“Oh god.” Covering my face with my hands I prayed my sister in law wouldn’t run the poor boy off. 

Cooper shook John’s hand following my daughter into the dining room.  “Nice to meet you.  I’m Cooper.” 

“Is there - a - specific seating or-“  Rip eyed the long table unsure of where to sit. 

John took his seat at the head of the table, pointing to the front seat in front of his left arm.  “Wherever you want.  Faith, you and your boyfriend can sit right here.” 

“Um Mr. Dutton?” Cooper removed his red Texas Tech ball cap holding it up. 

His father in law responded watching Faith sit her tan cowgirl hat on the edge of the table.  “On the table is fine.  It looks formal, Cooper.  But it’s not.  It’s just supper.” 

“Rough day at the office again?” Beth asked, seeing the anger written on her brother’s face. 

Kayce answered with food in his mouth.  “Work isn’t what is bothering me.” 

“Is it because you currently want to throw the Norris boy off our property?” Beth kept firing another question at her younger brother. 

John placed his napkin in his lap.  “How about we don’t talk about threatening the boy at the dinner table.” 

“Do you have that shotgun hidden underneath the table?” Beth asked. 

Cooper stiffened his back up against the chair with his mouth full of food. “What?” 

John glared at his daughter.  “What’d I just say?” 

“What would you like to talk about, daddy?” Beth slammed her fork down on the table.  “Kayce is obviously uncomfortable about his daughter dating.  She’s his baby girl and his first born.” 

John simply said her name.  “Beth.” 

“Our house is filled with shotguns and other things.  Oh Cooper, did my niece mention to you that her father is a former Navy seal with advanced training?” 

Faith attempted to reassure him that we were a nice family.  “We're just very protective of our family is all.  Family is everything here.  But don't worry he's not going to kill you , right Auntie Beth?” 

John grumbled again.  “Beth.” 

“If we don’t talk about my brother’s uncomfortable feelings over this dinner we have nothing to talk about.  Are you suggesting that we eat in silence and make it more uncomfortable for Kayce and Cooper.  Is that really what you’re suggesting?” 

Rip finished his food quickly, getting to his feet grabbing his wife’s arm tugging her up from her seat.  “Thank you for dinner, sir.  Let’s go check on Carter sweetie.” 

“Baby, what are we doing-“ Beth asked before we heard the front door shut behind them letting the whole house fill with silence except for the sound of people eating their food. 

Awkward silence fell into the room with everyone staring at one another causing me to get up from my chair going towards the kitchen.  “Who wants biscuits, huh.  And while we eat those , Cooper you can tell us about yourself.” 

“That sounds great. Mrs. Dutton.” He responded with my daughter placing her hand over his so he wasn’t as nervous. 

This family dinner certainly wasn’t over yet. 

[tv-moments]

Under the Bridge

“When the Heat Comes Down”

Director: Quinn Shephard

DoP: Checco Varese

[generallynaive]

O Melhor de 2024 - 25 Séries TV

1. Ripley Steven Zaillian (Netflix) Miniseries

2. L'Amica Geniale Saverio Costanzo (RAI/HBO) Season 4

3. A Conspiração António-Pedro Vasconcelos (RTP) Miniseries

4. Mr. & Mrs. Smith Francesca Sloane & Donald Glover (Prime Video) Season 1

5. Industry Mickey Down & Konrad Kay (Max) Season 3

6. Say Nothing Josh Zetumer (Disney+) Miniseries

7. Hacks Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky (Max) Season 3

8. Shogun Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks (Disney +) Season 1

9. Cien Años de Soledad José Rivera & Natalia Santa (Netflix) Season 1

10. True Detective: Night Country Issa López (Max) Season 4

11. Fargo Noah Hawley (FX/Prime Video) Season 5

12. Baby Reindeer Richard Gadd (Netflix) Miniseries

13. A Man on the Inside Michael Schur (Netflix) Season 1

14. Shrinking Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence & Jason Segel (Apple TV+) Season 2

15. The Penguin Lauren LeFranc (Max) Season 1

16. Slow Horses Will Smith & Morwenna Banks (Apple TV+) Season 4

17. The Bear Christopher Storer (Disney +) Season 3

18. We Are Lady Parts Nida Manzoor (Channel 4) Season 2

19. Black Doves Joe Barton (Netflix) Season 1

20. Matilha João Maia (RTP) Season 1

21. John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA John Mulaney (Netflix) Season 1

22. O Americano Ivo M. Ferreira (RTP) Season 1

23. The 3 Body Problem David Benioff, D.B. Weiss & Alexander Woo (Netflix) Season 1

24. Conan O’Brien Must Go Conan O'Brien (Max) Season 1

25. The Gentleman Guy Ritchie (Netflix) Season 1

[art--harridan]

[Image description: A digital drawing of Angie from the film R.H.I.N.O.; Really Here In Name Only. She is on the left of the piece, wearing her first shown outfit of a jumper and shirt, a woolen coat, and a checkered scarf. Her hands are in her pockets, and her expression is blank, but leans a tad dour. She stares off to the left. Next to her right shoulder, there's the phrase "really here in name only" which descends with each word. In a panel which molds it borders around the words, there's a drawing of a fire escape. Though their upper half is obscured and unidentifiable, Angie can be seen descending the spiral staircase with Charley in her arms, as denoted by the small blue jacket there. There's a green expanse behind it. The background of the piece is purple and the lineart is a dark green. The colours have a purple-tone to them, and are fairly dim and desaturated.]

Inktober - Day 21 (Rhinoceros)

Film - R.H.I.N.O.; Really Here In Name Only (Jane Howell, 1983)

[cejav13]

[lilidawnonthemoon]

screenshots from Pinterest

[lost-inanotherlife]

"It's the five best moments of my… sorry excuse for a life. My greatest hits. You know, memories. They're all I've got".

when I catch you Lost writers....

[lovetgr76]

Gary Oldman Should Bring Home an Emmy for ‘Slow Horses’ — Here’s Why https://variety.com/2024/awards/awards/gary-oldman-slow-horses-logan-roy-emmy-worthy-1236103948/

[thegoosiestlucy]

babe wake up kieran culkin sarah snook & matthew macfadyen just won golden globes

[pedroam-bang]

House Of The Dragon (2024)

[i-heart-yellowstone]

35 - Norris Meets the Bunkhouse

Part 36

Raised Fair Share of Hell

Please leave comments of your thoughts or any suggestions ❤️

Tag list @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @whatelsecouldgowrong @lover-of-books-and-tea

Faith’s pov

Once my aunt Beth and uncle Rip had left the room and my mom had came out of the kitchen with biscuits everything seemed to settle down.  Cutting a piece of my steak I put it into my mouth, eyeing my boyfriend from the corner of my eye. 

Cooper was pushing some of his potatoes around with his fork while my grandpa asked my mother a question.  “Alissa, is everything set up for the branding tomorrow?” 

“Yes.  Alana and my mother seem to have everything under control there.  Your ranch hands Will just have to work with ours since we now combined our two properties.  Meaning more cattle and more that need branding.” 

Cooper swallowed a bite of food looking around the table.  “What’s the branding?” 

“Since we’re a cattle ranch we have to mark our cattle with our brand symbol.  That way if any of them get out of the fence and wander off someone can know who to return them back to.” My mother explained simply to the son of an oil manager. 

Cooper stabbed another piece of food with his fork.  “Would you like some more help with that tomorrow.  I may be a slow learner but I can offer help.” 

“Absolutely.  That would be amazing, Cooper.” My mother grins at the gesture. 

My father interrupted the lighthearted conversation between the four of us.  “What are your intentions with my daughter?” 

“Daddy, be nice.” I whispered under my breath. 

My father stabbed his knife into part of his steak glaring at Coope from across the table where he looked like he might launch himself across the table.  “I am being nice and making conversation.  Now back to my question, what are your intentions?” 

“Mr. Dutton, I would treat your daughter in the room way.  I haven’t even ever kissed a girl before until I met her.” Cooper admitted with a deep red appearing on his cheeks. 

Daddy death glared at him still.  “What about your family life?  Do you have any criminals or any past records we should know about?” 

“Kayce!” My mother scolded her husband. 

My father sat down with his fork and knife rather angrily.  “It’s a reasonable question, Alissa!” 

“I can answer it, Mrs. Dutton.” Cooper responded back taking a deep breath thinking about how to word his family correctly.  “We’ll I guess I should say my parents are divorced and don’t have a good relationship like you two do.  Um - I have a younger sister named Ainsley but we don’t get along too well.  I don’t have any criminal record and neither does my family.” 

My phone vibrates on the table flashing Ryan’s name up on the screen.  “Are you coming over to play cards tonight since you’re back home?” 

“Who’s texting you at dinner?”  Mama asked me hearing my phone go off. 

I turned the phone over replying to her.  “Ryan.  He wants to play cards.” 

“Who’s Ryan?” Cooper questions. 

Getting up from my wooden chair I waved to him to follow me saying goodbye to my family.  “He works in our bunkhouse.  Come on, I’ll introduce you to them.  Goodnight mama, daddy.” Her grandfather waved bye to us as we made our way to the bunkhouse. 

Cooper and I walked into the bunkhouse building hearing the gang watching someone ride a buffalo through a green field.  Normally they would be playing cards and drinking beer.  Moving around the couch I plopped down by Ryan and Cooper sat down on the armrest of the couch.  “What are we watching exactly?” 

“I feel like he just looks like some kind of sexy Jesus on the buffalo.  Ridin’ into the sunset.” Teeter spoke, causing Cooper to give me a weird look. 

“What did she just say?” 

Colby, her boyfriend, responded back to him. “Nobody ever knows what she’s saying.” 

“How is that guy staying on it?” Cooper asked the group. 

Lloyd, the oldest ranch hand on our ranch answered his question while sitting at the dining table.  “Cause they can’t buck.” 

“Really?” Cooper looked over his shoulder. 

Ryan nudged me with his elbow.  “Are we sure this kids really from Texas?  Or did he just have you buy him that hat that’s from Texas Tech?” 

“His father works in Texas, Ryan.” 

Lloyd explained about the buffalo video to my boyfriend.  “They can’t buck, they can’t rear up, but they can’t roll over on your ass.” 

“Hey we outta ride a buffalo out there in that field.” Teeter suggested. 

Leaning forward on the couch I looked at Tetter who was sitting on the tile floor in front of us.  “Where at?” 

“Out by the corral near the edge of the fence line.” 

Liyod got up from his chair at the table.  “Who feels like ridin’ a buffalo?” 

“Uh. Not me.” Ryan replied. 

Cooper paused in thought.  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” 

“I’ll ride one.” I jumped up to stand and Teeter raised her and we high fives. 

“There’s my girl.” 

Cooper whipped his head around in concern watching me go over to the fridge that was full of beer, taking one out and cracking it opened.  “Faith, you’re 18.” 

“And you’re 22.” I pointed the bottle at him, taking a long drink from it. 

He shifted around on the couch, fear written all over his face.  “It means you can’t drink.  You can smoke but no alcohol.” 

“I’ll be fine, Cooper.  As long as my parents don’t find out we’ll be fine.” I quickly finished my beer grabbing another running out the door shouting.  “Let’s go ride a buffalo!” 

We all saddled some horses with me and Cooper riding on the same one together.  Cooper slid off the saddle standing beside the horse, stumbling to regain his balance when I asked Liyod.  “So how do you do this, Lloyd?” 

“You can’t rope’em around the neck, you'll crush their larynx so you gotta rope them by the horns.  And then you pull them to a stop and hop on and off you go.” 

Cooper shifts his gaze back over to me.  “Faith, this doesn’t look like a good idea.” 

“Don’t worry, Norris.  These past felons wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me.” I kicked my horse in the belly catching up with Liyod who was roping the buffalo for me.  

Cooper shouted over the cheering from Teeter and Colby.  “Felons! Wait what - Faith!” 

Dismounting from my horse I climbed on the buffalo’s back one second bed Lioyd’s lasso around its horn snapped causing the buffalo to start running trying to throw me off.   “Woo! Cooper!” The buffalo ran in circles until it took a sharp turn charging directly at Cooper where I thought he would run hi, down.  

“Ahh!” My boyfriend screamed when a rope dropped around his waist by Ryan who yanked him towards his horse.  I slid off the buffalo letting the animal run for a little bit before he simply walked back into the open field. 

Liyod jumped off his horse helping me up from the dusty grass ground.  “That a girl.  Are you okay, little Dutton?” 

“That was freaking awesome!” Throwing my hands up in the air I cheered up into the night sky with the familiar stars above us.  Walking over to my boyfriend who was lifting the rope off of his body and over his head.  “You ain’t hurt are you?” 

Ryan explained taking his rope from his hand.  “I did my best to get him out of the fucking way.” 

“Thanks Ryan. So how are you, Cooper?” 

He removed his ball cap ruffling his hair.  “I thought I was about to get run over by a buffalo.  I can’t - you hang out with these guys every night.” 

“Pretty much.  I think the only thing we do that doesn’t physically hurt anybody is playing cards and talking trash.” 

“We can play tomorrow night if y’all will be around then.” Colby responded sitting on his horse. 

Cooper chuckled, placing his hat back on his head smiling at me.  I knew he was out of his element but I knew he would have fun in some situation if I had any say about it.  “I’m going to become a cowboy before I leave here aren’t I?” 

“More than likely, you bet your boots yes.” I smirked at my boyfriend tipping my light brown hat at him.  “Welcome to the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Mr. Norris.”