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The Western genre had its time in the limelight, dominating the early era of Hollywood with its gritty and hard-boiled style alongside a sense of unbridled freedom. However, it has begun to pick up steam again, with many fans enjoying new and old Western shows, such as Yellowstone. But because the genre is so old, many of the series suffer from distinct flaws; even now, the genre has many disappointments.
On the other hand, there are a decent number of critically acclaimed Westerns that achieve the impossible and remain perfect from start to finish. This list will highlight the Western TV shows that have no flaws based on consistency, originality, influence, pacing, writing, acting, memorability, and overall quality. Fans yearn for a time of lawlessness, manliness, freedom, and gritty action, which is exactly what these shows possess.
10
‘Gunsmoke’ (1955–1975)
This list includes a variety of Western shows, new and old, and the oldest featured is Gunsmoke, coming out in the mid-1950s. The Marshal, Matt Dillon (James Arness), is stationed in Dodge City, Kansas, and is tasked with protecting the small town from anything that may cause it trouble, from cattle rustlers to fiendish outlaws.
A lot of flawless Westerns are rather short, mainly because it is nearly impossible to remain perfect with over 20 seasons. While Gunsmoke is that long and has some lows, it is surprisingly consistent throughout the two decades it was on air. Gunsmoke had to be doing something right for it to go on that long, and its main feat was creating the template for serialized Westerns and shifting the genre from child-friendly to mature adult-oriented content.
9
‘1883’ (2021–2022)
The Yellowstone franchise, also known as the Duttonverse, is arguably the most popular Western franchise right now, and while they have a lot of spin-offs, none can be considered perfect except for 1883. This limited series prequel follows the early generation of the Dutton family who travel from Texas to find a new home in Oregon, facing hardships and danger along the way.
By stripping away the romanticized lens of the time period, 1883 becomes a gritty and grounded Western that depicts the Oregon Trail as a grueling trek. This show is surprisingly haunting, overshadowed by its tragic tone that doesn’t get in the way of incredible action and dramatic moments that show why 1883 is the best Yellowstone spin-off.
8
‘The Wild Wild West’ (1965–1969)
While all genres are prone to evolving, Westerns tend to stay true to the classics, but some shows, such as The Wild Wild West, decide to experiment. James West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) are two Secret Service agents who must travel the West in a specialized train in order to protect the president from outlaws, mad scientists, and any other potential danger.
By mixing the Western and spy genres, The Wild Wild West creates something entirely new and different, almost being steampunk-esque, which is one of the earliest examples of it. With pure pulp entertainment, The Wild Wild West is one of the most inventive Westerns, using its distinct blend to spice up the genre with its high-tech action and Western style.
7
‘The English’ (2022)
Some shows on this list are old, like Gunsmoke, but it also features some modern classics, like the newest show on here, The English. Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman, arrives on the Western Frontier with one goal in mind: to kill those who murdered her son. To do this, she teams up with a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout to travel the badlands.
As the newest Western on this list, The English has already established itself as an essential Western for its classic revenge story. Westerns often romanticize the era and conveniently dance around the problems with it, but The English handles the Native American displacement with grace and authenticity. Visually stunning, this poetic and underrated Western show is a flawless masterpiece that more fans need to watch.
6
‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011–2016)
Set after the events of the Civil War, Hell on Wheels follows a former Confederate soldier, Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), as he searches for the killer of his wife. This adventure of his takes him to the titular mobile encampment, which he travels with on his long journey of revenge.
Perhaps one of the most underrated Western TV shows, Hell on Wheels deserves more credit for being a must-watch drama during a time with few classics. It has a unique view on the era, focusing on the industrialization of the Wild West, which it uses to showcase the brutal, racial, and corrupt time period in all of its shame and capitalism.
5
‘Lonesome Dove’ (1989)
Miniseries are hit or miss for Westerns, but when done right, they are without flaw, and one such example is Lonesome Dove. This story is about two former aging Texas rangers who decide to put their quiet and peaceful retired lives in Texas behind them in favor of one last thrill of adrenaline as they travel to Montana.
Many consider it the best Western miniseries of all time, and while this list has one higher than Lonesome Dove, it is exceptionally profound. Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones put up career-defining performances, which help portray the character study about aging, friendship, and regret.
4
‘Justified’ (2010–2015)
Timothy Olyphant is an incredible Western actor in some of the best shows the genre has to offer, including Justified, where he is one of the main stars alongside Walton Goggins. When a lawman who acts like a Wild West gunslinger is reassigned to his childhood town, he is reunited with an old friend in the worst possible way when he learns that he has turned to a life of crime.
A lot of Westerns have moving parts, but Justified solely relies on its protagonist and antagonist dynamic, which is one of the most intriguing in all of television. Their mirrored arcs develop with each other, showcasing phenomenal character development that drives the story into suspenseful moments and action-oriented shootouts that prove Justified is a modern Western masterpiece.
3
‘Have Gun – Will Travel’ (1957–1963)
Gunsmoke may be the oldest and longest-running Western show on this list, but Have Gun – Will Travel is not too far behind. Paladin (Richard Boone) may be a highly educated and sophisticated man who lives in a luxurious hotel, but he is a hired gun who will take on any job that takes him across the West.
As an older show, Have Gun – Will Travel is a rather underrated Western that is still worth a watch because of its classic style. Unlike most Western heroes who were shoot-first types, Paladin was a tactical and sophisticated character who used his intellect and negotiation. With a distinct and memorable protagonist, each episode was a unique Western masterpiece with moral ambiguity.
2
‘Godless’ (2017)
There are a handful of Western miniseries on this list, but none are as good or acclaimed as Godless. Set in a New Mexico mining town, a tragic accident kills almost all the men, leaving the population mostly women. However, when a daunting outlaw comes to the town to find his protégé who is hiding there, it is up to the women to protect the village themselves.
It may only be seven episodes, but it is because of that tight pace that there are no flaws in Godless. By the end of the show, fans will wish there were dozens more seasons, but the way it trimmed unnecessary filler is why it is paced so well. Godless is a fresh new take on an old genre, but it still maintains the classic grit and tension fans love, with the ending culminating in one of the best shootouts in the Western genre.
1
‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)
This list features some of the best Westerns of all time, but the greatest is, hands down, Deadwood, an HBO masterpiece that is the peak of Western. The titular settlement started as a simple encampment, but the show chronicles its life as it evolves into a fully-fledged town. But going from a lawless, violent mining town to a recognized city takes blood, sweat, and tears.
Renowned for having some of the best dialogue in television history, Deadwood is almost Shakespearean in its writing, delivering a masterful script that is among the best in Hollywood. Built upon the character foils in the show, the dynamics and growing relationships and the tension that comes with it, it is a masterful display and truly riveting. Deadwood is a prestigious Western that many consider to be one of the best TV shows of all time, easily making it a Western with no flaws from start to finish.
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Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck
Almontather Rassoul
