The Ranch

When Netflix suggests a show is going to be a 98% match in terms of what you will like to watch, it normally isn’t wrong. While I really did like The Ranch, and am continuing to watch it, I also found the plot to be very typical and easy to see what was coming. The other weak point was the use of the audience laugh again, like one of the last shows I watched, Disjointed. This laugh takes away from the acting and the awkward pauses it creates are distracting. The strongest point of the show would have to be its main characters, their development, and the impressions you automatically have from them based on their previous acting. The names alone would prompt many people, from different generations, to watch it. The two main characters, Beau, played by Sam Elliott, and Colt, played by Ashton Kutcher, are engaged in a stereotypical storyline. Colt has just returned from trying to make it in professional football to the family ranch that has fallen on hard times. Beau is exceptionally unforgiving and Sam Elliott captures this role very well. Previously Sam Elliott has played the role of cowboys and outlaws in dozens of westerns. If you are familiar with this at all, as soon as Beau walks in the room, you automatically know what his persona is going to be. His lanky stature, thick mustache and even thicker drawl make him a great fit, while drawing viewers who have seen him in older productions. In this show, he appears to be a strong Republican, making reference a number of times to government and gun rights. Portraying a typical fatherly figure, he grills his sons and routinely takes a grumpy manner in which he says things. The most notable scene showing this is when Rooster and Beau are working on their truck, and Rooster says they can order the part off of Amazon and it will get here in 24 hours. Beau argues they will go to a store and get the part, claiming “that’s what’s wrong with your generation”. That they’d rather sit and wait for it to be brought to them, and then asks what they will do when North Korea comes knocking on their door, “order a gun off Amazon and wait for it to get there?”. To which Rooster responds that he will instead make use of one of the multiple gun racks in their house, including two in their bathroom.

Ashton Kutcher, arguably most famous for his role in That 70’s Show, plays the role of the irresponsible runaway son, Colt. Associating him with his role in That 70’s Show develops his character before the show even gets rolling. Further regarding the characters, the use of their names tells a bit about their story. Jameson “Rooster” is the older brother to Colt. He is predominately called Rooster throughout the episode, giving way to the fact he is mainly comedic relief and as mentioned by Beau many times, not always the brightest. Additionally, Jameson and Colt are names you would expect from a rural farmer to name his son; Jameson referring to whiskey, and Colt either referring to a young male horse, or a popular gun brand. This subtle character labeling with casting and naming gives you an impression of the characters before you truly get to know them.