Godless is a Western that’s different from other Westerns. It’s ironic that Godless is a Western-style show, despite its focus on female empowerment and a talented cast. It’s a very formulaic show that embraces the best elements of the genre while adding enough dramatic tension and great acting to make it worthwhile.

Godless is a long series, with each episode lasting over an hour. However, it’s not too long and you will be entertained throughout. It feels like a love letter to the genre that it adopts. Godless is a strange series in many aspects. It has all the ingredients to be one of the most popular TV shows of 2018.

The acting is flawless, as exemplified by Jeff Daniel’s spine-chilling portrayal of Frank Griffin. With the rest of his acting talent just behind him, the acting is top-notch. Beautiful cinematography captures the beauty of the scenery and the plot is simple and easy to follow.

Despite its strengths, the length of the series at 7 hours and more does not always justify the effort. Godless can feel unnecessarily lengthy at times. This is exacerbated by the slow pace and lack of action, as well as a lackluster character development or action for most episodes. Godless is a series that takes the best aspects of Western cinema and makes them enjoyable. Godless isn’t perfect, but it is a great series if you can overlook the overlong storyline and are willing to accept the fact that the plot is repetitive.

Spoilers Review of Godless

Why Roy Goode Wants Revenge

The most unique aspect of “Godless”, however, is the fact that Roy Goode (oft-abused Jack O’Connell) wasn’t given any reason to turn against Frank Griffin. Frank didn’t cross a single line or commit a single act of betrayal to get his revenge. Frank had more reasons to be mad at Roy than Roy.

Although there is no doubt that these men are on a collision course throughout the series, the slow reveal of their histories didn’t reveal the typical break between men that often accompanies a vengeance tale between black and white. It was Roy’s gradual transition from childhood to adulthood, and a slower understanding of himself than Frank.

Roy discovers that his brother is still alive. This was the defining moment. Roy stays with his sister, Sister Lucy Cole (Marceline Houtt), after being left by his brother. After losing hope, he believes his brother is dead and so he left to be with Frank. He becomes part of the worst posse here in New Mexico after he steals Frank’s horse.

Roy claims that Frank did not kill Roy before he set fire to Creede. He kept pleading with him from afar. After Creede’s intervention, he realized what he needed to do and plotted the train robbery. Frank isn’t too fond of Roy heisting his money, but Frank wouldn’t set fire to a town or hang its children for a bag of cash. He is a man who has principles and only abandons them when he is in pain. This could be internal or external. (More on Frank in a moment.)

Why did Roy have to kill Frank? It was because there was no other way. They had to face each other because of the code that was in place at the time. Frank survived the shootout unharmed. He doesn’t draw his gun on the women and raises his hand at Mary (Michelle Dockery), when they see him from the roof, guns drawn. Frank knows the person he must face and splits when Roy arrives. He knows Roy will find him.

Roy’s vengeance was more than a sense of obligation. Frank made Roy hateful. Roy did things that were wrong under his pappy’s guidance, which he is ashamed of and Frank for that shame. Frank can be blamed for that shame as well as any child who blames their parent for making them what they are. Roy is more than aware of Frank’s youthful rage. Frank was a terrible man, and he may not have known it, but Godless made clear that Frank knew better than any of the worst things in his life.

Jeff Daniels’ Ideal and Idealistic Villainy

Frank is a complex man. He’s a preacher and a killer. This brings us to Frank Griffin’s most important scenes: his stay in the Hobbs house with the infected, and the Hobbs home massacre.

First, Frank does a surprisingly kind thing to help smallpox victims. His sons and he dig graves for the dead, feed the living, and clean up the area before it’s time for him to leave. When Bill McNue (Scoot McNairy), arrives on Frank’s trail all that is left is freshly buried bodies and half-crosses sticking out of the ground.

Episodes Godless

In search of a former member of his gang, a ruthless outlaw terrorizes the West to find a woman who has found a new life in a quiet town that is only populated by women.

1. Creede: An Incident

A headstrong widow realizes that her life and those around her will be forever changed when an outlaw arrives at her ranch.

2. La Belle’s Ladies

La Belle struggles with an all-or-nothing offer. Bill is looking for a way to prove his worth, and Frank shares his story with a captive audience.

3. Wisdom of the Horse

Bill imagines Roy’s final stand. A reluctant Truckee learns how to ride a horse. Whitey attempts music making and John shares the news.

4. Fathers & Sons

Bill is given some troubling news and Frank becomes a new type of danger. An important part of Alice’s dark past is brought into focus.

5. Take the head off a snake

Bill is determined to find Frank and his crew. He asks the Army for help. Alice and Roy make it big, and Whitey has a secret to share with Mary-Agnes.

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6. Dear Roy…

Mary-Agnes attempts to help Martha, a free-spirited woman, escape her past. Frank is kept in the loop by Grigg. Roy is struggling with his feelings towards Alice.

7. Homecoming

Whitey is aided by an unexpected friend as La Belle residents prepare for Frank’s attack. Roy and Frank reach an agreement.