Wild GildedAge

Amazon’s violent Yellowstone prequel, 1883, presents an evenwilderwest, finds

rule on firearms in this town?’’

‘‘This place will pick you apart if you haven’t got one.’’

Within seconds, someone has made off with Dutton’s wallet, a situation resolved, after a case of mistaken identity, with an accurate shot and a touch of mob justice.

Observing all this is former Union Army captain Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott). Noting that ‘‘he’s going to pick a fight he can’t win before too long’’, Brennan believes Dutton would be perfect to help him lead awagon train of immigrants to Oregon, but they are underprepared and Brennan is battling demons of his own.

Dutton rebuffs Brennan’s initial offer, until Elsa is accosted by a drunken thug and is only saved from a potential rape by her father’s gun-assisted intervention.

Now, while he still refuses to be in Brennan’s employ, he’s more than happy to join forces for mutual protection.

Shorn of Yellowstone’s modern-day mores and unavoidable comparisons to Dallas, 1883 actually might just emerge as the stronger show.

As he has shown in movies such as Hell or High Water, Sicario and Wind River, showrunner Sheridan has a terrificway of being able to evoke a sense of space and place in his storytelling. He also attracts impressive acting ensembles and gives them plenty of dramatic meat to get their teeth into.

And you can bet your life there will be plenty of deception and double-crossing on offer, as well as tension and territorial battles, before the wagon train reaches its destination or amore untimely end.

Although country singer McGraw might make for an appealingly rugged lead, it’s Elliott who gets all the grace notes, and delivers the most powerful performance.

This is one of his most nuanced and poignant turns (and he provides most of the show’s dry, dark humour).

Young Sheldon’s May is also impressive, lighting up every scene she’s in, and viewers should look out for cameos from Tom Hanks, Billy Bob Thornton, Graham Greene and Sheridan himself.

1883 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

1883 boasts an explosive opening and doesn’t let up, and Isabel May’s Elsa Dutton is one of the show’s real highlights.

In 1883, Tim McGraw plays James Dutton, the great-great-grandfather of Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone patriarch, John Dutton.

Sam Elliott gets all the grace notes and delivers the most powerful performance in the series.