Netflix’s new western and family drama, Ransom Canyon, has already captured hearts.
The drama was adapted from the first book in Jodi Thomas’s Ransom Canyon book series, and it provided Netflix with a wealth of material. Still, her series reads more like an anthology.
It introduced new characters in each book, and a few characters like Lucas, Lauren, Reid, and Yancy reappeared in several.
Despite Netflix adapting the first book, like many other book-to-screen adaptations, it changed a lot.
It still had the angsty romance from the novels, but showrunner and creator April Blair added characters and evolved their storylines. She also raised the stakes by adding family drama, a mystery, and feuding ranches over land.
While Ransom Canyon is unique, it has elements of Yellowstone and Friday Night Lights, and the Netflix version was grittier, sexier, and more addictive.
It was about love and legacy – the epitome of a western drama.
The Collins Family Roles Were Expanded
Davis Collins (Eoin Macken) was a blip on the radar in the book, but his role evolved in the Netflix adaptation.
Davis was a man of action. He orchestrated working with Austin Water & Power. He needed money and was determined to get Cap Fuller and Staten Kirkland on board, no matter the cost.
Macken delivered a layered performance that kept audiences guessing if he was playing games or being sincere.
Davis Collins was the epitome of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as he stabbed Staten in the back.
It almost made you wonder if he sent that wolf to kill Cap Fuller, so his land would be available. Could he be that diabolical?
While Davis seemed to care about his son, Reid Collins often seemed stressed about living up to his father’s high expectations.
Initially, he appeared as narcissistic as his father, but he mellowed from hanging around his Uncle Staten and Lucas Russell.
Reid seemed to be at a crossroads where choices could cost him his closest friend or family.
On-screen, he was much more likable and layered, and hopefully, we’ll see him evolve even more in a potential second season.
Staten and Quinn’s Angsty Romance Evolved Into A Complex Love Triangle
Naturally, without much of Davis in the books, there was no love triangle.
Most of Staten Kirkland’s (Josh Duhamel) and Quinn O Grady’s (Minka Kelly) angst was based on his still grieving wife and son.
The Netflix version kept that Staten’s late wife was Quinn’s best friend and added that she was Davis’s older sister, making the brothers-in-law fight for Quinn’s heart.
Talk about complicated! They both swore they had feelings for Quinn since high school.
Staten and Quinn exhibited the traditional push-and-pull romance that you wanted to root for. They were so angsty and oozed chemistry.
Whereas, Quinn and Davis felt safer if she couldn’t have the man she wanted. However, that was bound to cause issues between the men. Davis didn’t take being dumped kindly and went out to destroy Staten’s life and gain his ranch.
It was apparent that Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, and Eoin Macken had lots of fun interacting with each other on-screen.
Expanding The Mystery of Randall’s Fateful Accident and How It Affected the Town
Including Randall’s car accident and the mystery surrounding his death was the best decision. Losing a child affects a parent more than anything, and seeing how it affected Staten meant everything.
It wasn’t only how he couldn’t move on with his life. It was how he hounded the police for answers and started bonding with Reid.
Some people thought he used Reid to replace Randall, but in actuality, Staten’s influence helped Reid reveal what he witnessed that night.
While the kid initially looked guilty, he never would have harmed his cousin and closest friend.
Secrets always have a way of coming out, so finding a truck in the lake was shocking and unexpected.
While it would have been easy to blame the town’s troublemaker, Kit Russell, it truth was far more heartbreaking.
Dan Brigman (Philip Winchester) also worked harder, especially when he had to arrest his ex-wife, something of which he had hoped to avoid. Unfortunately, Lauren heard them arguing, and he couldn’t let her down.
Ransom Canyon added more complex family drama with secrets unfolding and family loyalty tested as lines were drawn in the sand in its first season.
Yancy Gray Evolved Into A Bad Boy Cowboy With a Heart of Gold
Reuniting with a long-lost family member is a common trope. Initially, Yancy Gray (Jack Schumacher) was released from prison and strived to make a new life in Ransom Canyon.
The Netflix adaptation kept that but added a fun twist. He was Cap Fuller’s grandson and was angry because the old man never helped him and his mother, so he agreed to help Davis Collins get Cap Fuller’s land.
The problem was that he grew fond of Cap and fell in love with Ellie, a no-nonsense young woman who adored Cap.
In doing so, he risked his old cellmates, Davis possibly revealing his past, and potentially losing this new family he never had before.
Yancy and Ellie had some of the sexiest scenes on the series. You could feel passion in their sultry gazes, and you were rooting for them.
Yancy may have multiple problems with those cliffhangers, and we’re rooting for a second season.
Lucas and Kit Russell’s Storyline Resembles the Riggins Brothers on Friday Night Lights
While parts of Ransom Canyon make you want to toast “Texas Forever” with your friends, the relationship that will tug at your heartstrings and remind you of Friday Night Lights the most is Lucas and Kit Russell.
Lucas has no brother in the book, but he and Kit were among my favorite characters. These brothers have been taking care of each other since their abusive father took off on them.
Kit had some delinquency issues, while Lucas strived to work hard and go to college, but they would do anything for each other.
This became apparent when Kit was arrested for driving the truck that caused Randall’s death, and Lucas faced foster care placement unless he emancipated himself from his brother.
Kit would’ve taken a deal and signed those papers, so Lucas could have had a better deal, even though he covered for someone else.
That scene resembles Tim going to jail for Billy so he could have a better life. There’s often no bounds to brotherly love.
And that’s why this storyline was probably the most gratifying diversion from the book of them all.
Over to you, Ransom Canyon Fanatics. Did you enjoy Netflix‘s changes to the characters? What were your thoughts on including Randall’s accident as the central mystery?
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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