The Struggle of the Farrell Family – Premiere of WGN Drama “Outsiders”

By Rena Renee

01/26/2016- Intrigue begins the second you see the modern spin on the old viking looking barbaric men and women who literally live by their own rules. Atop the mountain their society governs themselves and the evil of money does not plague them. Technology is frowned upon and reading is foreign. Only one can read and he doubles as the “reader” and the “lostee” (apparently he wandered off the mountain and learned to read) The traditional community views the Farrell family whom everybody is interrelated, (cousins) as a discombobulation of society. You can raise an eyebrow trying to figure out that family tree. The movement begins to “remove people from their land… assimilate their ways and take over the mountain. The resources the mountain possess would be better in the hands of the conventional. Sound familiar?

Created by  Peter Mattei and directed by Adam Bernstein. This season takes you on a journey of mountain living off the grid and the fight to keep their land. Betrayal, forbidden love and greed theme the episodes. With an even tone throughout, the shows unpredictableness keeps you interested as the traditions and ways of an isolated people unfold. The only rule that both society’s agree on is this: Beware of the Farrell Wine. There’s something in the wine that disagrees with even the more professional drinker. Something to the degree of pure alcohol and meth; or is it PCP like? A desireable combo that lures us all; an attack on the curious with the most regrettable hangover in the morning.

 A noteworthy cast that includes actors Ryan Hurst, David Morse, Thomas M. Wright and Joe Anderson,  along with executive producers Peter Tolan (“Rescue Me”) and Paul Giamatti,  give us a bit of Mad Max:Fury Road meets Macbeth in what may not be the most original storyline, but a well executed one.

Tune into the Outsiders tonight. “Outsiders” premieres , commercial free, tonight at 9/8c on WGN America.