The Son (TV series)

The Son is an American western drama television series based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Philipp Meyer. The show was created and developed by Meyer, Brian McGreevy, and Lee Shipman.[1] Twenty episodes over two seasons aired from April 8, 2017, through June 29, 2019.

The Son
Genre
Based onThe Son
by Philipp Meyer
Developed by
  • Philipp Meyer
  • Lee Shipman
  • Brian McGreevy
Starring
ComposerNathan Barr
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Connolly
  • Tom Lesinski
  • Jenna Santoianni
  • Tom Harper
  • Kevin Murphy
  • Philipp Meyer
  • Brian McGreevy
  • Lee Shipman
Production locationTexas
CinematographyGeorge Steel
Editors
  • Josh Beal
  • Debby Germino
  • Jon Koslowsky
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time42–49 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkAMC
Original releaseApril 8, 2017 (2017-04-08) –
June 29, 2019 (2019-06-29)

Plot

In 1849, Eli McCullough is kidnapped at the age of 13 by Comanches and raised as an adopted son. In 'present-day' 1915, he is a powerful, ruthless cattle baron turned oilman, and struggles to maintain his business empire as he looks to pass it on to his sons and grandchildren.

Cast
  • Jacob Lofland as young Eli (known to the Comanche as Tiehteti Taiboo "Pathetic White Boy"[2])
  • Henry Garrett as Pete McCullough, Eli's youngest son
  • Zahn McClarnon as Toshaway, a Comanche tribal chief who views young Eli as a son after capturing him
  • Jess Weixler as Sally McCullough, Pete's wife
  • Paola Núñez as María García, Pete's childhood friend who becomes complicit in some of the escalating violence in South Texas
  • Elizabeth Frances as Prairie Flower
  • Sydney Lucas as Jeannie McCullough, Eli's granddaughter and Pete's daughter, who becomes a key figure in the family business

Production

Originally, Sam Neill was set to play the main character of the series, but left due to personal reasons. Pierce Brosnan was cast to replace him.[3] The production of the series started in June 2016.[4] The series was filmed in and around Austin, TX.[5]

A 10-episode season premiered on AMC on April 8, 2017.[6] On May 12, 2017, the series was renewed for a second season.[7] The second and final season premiered on April 27, 2019.[8]

Episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110April 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)June 10, 2017 (2017-06-10)
210April 27, 2019 (2019-04-27)June 29, 2019 (2019-06-29)

Season 1 (2017)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"First Son of Texas"Tom HarperPhilipp Meyer, Brian McGreevy and Lee ShipmanApril 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)1.92[9]
In 1849, young Eli McCullough and his brother, Martin, are taken captive by Comanches; the remaining family members are killed. Blaming Eli for his family's deaths, Martin becomes defiant with his captors and is killed in front of Eli. In 1915, Eli and his son Pete prepare for Eli's birthday party, while contending with cattle thieves and saboteurs of their burgeoning oil business.
22"The Plum Tree"Kevin DowlingDaniel C. ConnollyApril 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)1.92[9]
In 1849, Eli's attempt to escape the Comanche camp is thwarted, and, after being punished, he becomes the Comanches' slave. In 1915, Eli and Pete debate over their captive, Cesar, whom they caught fleeing a sabotaged oil rig. Eli tortures Cesar, believed to also be linked to the thefts. Pete later escorts Cesar to a river to release him into Mexico. However, Cesar attacks Pete, forcing him to kill Cesar and secretly bury him.
33"Second Empire"Kevin DowlingKevin Murphy & Cami DeLavigneApril 15, 2017 (2017-04-15)1.55[10]
In 1915, Eli and oldest son Phineas meet with potential investor William Philpott, who declines due to Eli's shaky finances and the unlikelihood of finding oil in the Rio Grande Valley. Back home, Pete experiences guilt over Cesar's death. In Mexico, Cesar's father-in-law, Pedro García, supplies the rebel, Aniceto Pizaña, despite future backlash from the McCulloughs. In 1849, young Eli begins training as a Comanche warrior but causes trouble when he publicly flirts with Prairie Flower, who is being wooed by another.
44"Death Song"Olatunde OsunsanmiSmith Henderson & Philipp MeyerApril 22, 2017 (2017-04-22)1.39[11]
In 1849, young Eli must help a severely wounded Comanche back to camp, while evading Texas Rangers on patrol. In 1915, María García warns Pete that something bad is going to happen. He and Eli inform the Rangers of the Mexican rebels' plan to derail a train. Eli is told to form a posse. They find tools to be used in the derailment and wait for the rebels to return. Pete captures their female scout and releases her after the rebels retreat, but is forced to kill her when she fires at one of his men. Eli assures him that her death was necessary, however, Pete surmises that a border war is beginning.
55"No Prisoners"Olatunde OsunsanmiBrian McGreevy & Lee ShipmanApril 29, 2017 (2017-04-29)1.21[12]
In 1849, the Comanches sneak up on a Tonkawa camp only to find it deserted, ravaged by smallpox. Eli is ordered to gather their horses and what supplies that he can. While doing so, he finds a survivor who specifies items to take, so that the Comanche will also become diseased. Eli refuses. In 1915, the McCulloughs' notoriety from the ambush has consequences, when their homestead is attacked. Both Marie and Jeannie seek help, and it arrives with Pedro's men fending off the rebels. Eli sees oil on Jeannie's horse and asks what route she traveled.
66"The Buffalo Hunter"Jeremy WebbJulia RuchmanMay 6, 2017 (2017-05-06)1.30[13]
Young Eli finds a group of white hunters skinning some buffalo. He tells them that he recently escaped a Comanche camp, and the hunters vow to protect him, but Eli is merely a distraction for a Comanche raid. The lead hunter and a girl are taken captive. The hunter is later tortured, and Eli secretly puts him out of his misery. In 1915, Charles McCullough learns that Ramon, a farmhand, might have led the rebels there for the attack. Ramon is hanged in front of a remorseful Charles. Eli and Jeannie search for and find the oil seep, but it is in the Garcías' territory.
77"Marriage Bond"Jeremy WebbKevin Murphy & Julia RuchmanMay 13, 2017 (2017-05-13)1.17[14]
Upon learning of Ramon's death, Eli suggests to Pete that Charles leave the ranch. Pete takes Charles and Jeannie to the McCullough home in Austin. Charles admits his complicity, but adds that he didn't expect Ramon would be hanged. Pete tells Sally that he cannot rise above his family's violent tendencies and suggests the children remain in Austin. A troubled María visits him, and they have sex. In 1850, Eli tries to help Ingrid, the captive girl, who wishes to die, but Prairie Flower warns him to stay away from her. While hunting, Eli is approached by Charges the Enemy, who is courting Flower. Charges threatens the two of them before knocking Eli off a cliff.
88"Honey Hunt"John David ColesDaniel C. ConnollyMay 20, 2017 (2017-05-20)1.26[15]
Charges returns to camp without Eli, stating that Eli escaped during the hunt. Flower wishes to search for Eli, but Toshaway informs her that her father accepted Charges' dowry and the wedding will soon happen. She sneaks off to search for Eli, but Charges stops her by saying all supplies will be cut off from her family if she continues. She relents and they marry. In 1915, Pete and María plan for a future, once they are free from their respective spouses. Eli and Phineas attend a party for a judge, whom Phineas manages to bribe to help secure the oil seep on the García property. Alone, Eli is approached by the daughter of an Apache who followed him after Eli slaughtered a village in 1881. Eli states that her people killed his wife and son, and she shoots him. He envisions his younger self helping him die but Phineas saves him.
99"The Prophecy"Tom VaughanJulia RuchmanJune 3, 2017 (2017-06-03)1.06[16]
Young Eli, with his injured leg, finds a settler named Maggie at her camp. She nurses him back to health, but her solitude all these years after leaving her group seems to have affected her mind. However, she tells his fortune, mentioning his long life and having three sons. When he later learns of her plan to turn him in for a reward, he escapes as she curses his sons' legacy. In 1915, Eli tells Phineas that his injury was a sign and calls off the bribe and oil scheme, at the risk of losing the ranch. Eli later finds a saloon burning; Phineas admits to it, only because Eli secretly wanted to frame Pedro García. Pete finds a jar of oil in Jeannie's room and questions Eli, who reveals the truth of trying to get rid of Pedro. Pete leaves the ranch.
1010"Scalps"Tom VaughanPhilipp Meyer, Brian McGreevy, & Kevin MurphyJune 10, 2017 (2017-06-10)1.16[17]
With the rumor that Pedro García's men were seen running from the saloon fire, Eli declares war and rallies an angry mob. Pete arrives at the García home to warn them. He suggests fleeing, but Pedro declines and prepares his men. Pete assists them and fires upon his father's army. Many casualties occur on both sides; all of the Garcías are killed, except María who flees with Pete as seen by Phineas. When Eli relates the battle to his family, Sally asks about Pete. Alone, Phineas tells her the truth. The McCulloughs are later granted the García property. In 1850, Eli returns to the Comanche camp seeking revenge on Charges. Toshaway asks the elders for compensation, and they give him four horses; he also gives Eli a pistol of his own. Eli still pines for Flower. Later, on a hunt, the Comanches are attacked by Texas Rangers. Charges is shot, but Eli prevents a Ranger from scalping Charges, who apologizes to Eli before dying from his wounds. Eli then scalps the Ranger and Toshaway praises Eli on his first scalp. Both eras mirror each other, as Young Eli and Toshaway watch many settlers cross below them and Jeannie and her grandfather look over their newly acquired land.

Season 2 (2019)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
111"Numunuu"Kevin DowlingKevin MurphyApril 27, 2019 (2019-04-27)0.674[18]
122"Ten Dollars and a Plucked Goose"Kevin DowlingDaniel C. ConnollyMay 4, 2019 (2019-05-04)0.612[19]
133"The Blind Tiger"Kevin DowlingAnne-Marie HessMay 11, 2019 (2019-05-11)0.654[20]
144"Scalped a Dog"Omar MadhaWes BrownMay 18, 2019 (2019-05-18)0.527[21]
155"Hot Oil"Omar MadhaMelanie MarnichMay 25, 2019 (2019-05-25)0.560[22]
166"The Blue Light"Ellen KurasJulia RuchmanJune 1, 2019 (2019-06-01)0.559[23]
177"Somebody Get a Shovel"Ellen KurasRobert AskinsJune 8, 2019 (2019-06-08)0.559[24]
188"All Their Guilty Stains"Jeremy WebbKevin Murphy & Nick MuellerJune 15, 2019 (2019-06-15)0.593[25]
199"The Bear"Jeremy WebbJulia RuchmanJune 22, 2019 (2019-06-22)0.646[26]
2010"Legend"Dan SackheimKevin MurphyJune 29, 2019 (2019-06-29)0.656[27]

Reception

The first season received mixed reviews among critics. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 52% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 5.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Son's epic narrative and strong central performance are crippled by sluggish pacing, hasty direction, and superficial execution."[28] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 57 out of 100, based 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[29]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (January 8, 2016). "Texas Drama 'The Son' Getting Series Order By AMC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  2. "'The Son': TV Review - SXSW 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. March 12, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  3. Swift, Andy (June 6, 2016). "Pierce Brosnan to Lead 2017 AMC Drama The Son, Replacing Sam Neill". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. Avalos, Regina (July 24, 2016). "The Son: Three to Recur on AMC's Upcoming Pierce Brosnan Drama". TV Series Finale. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  5. O'Connell, Joe (April 7, 2017). "The Son Rises With Philipp Meyer". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  6. Schwindt, Oriana (January 14, 2017). "AMC Sets Premiere Dates for 'Better Call Saul,' 'Into the Badlands'". Variety. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  7. Patten, Dominic (May 12, 2017). "Pierce Brosnan's The Son Gets Season 2 Ride On The Range From AMC". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2019). "'Into the Badlands' & 'The Son' To End Runs On AMC, Set Premiere Dates For Final Episodes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch (April 11, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.8.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  10. Metcalf, Mitch (April 18, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.15.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  11. Metcalf, Mitch (April 25, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.22.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  12. Metcalf, Mitch (May 2, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.29.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  13. Metcalf, Mitch (May 9, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.6.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  14. Metcalf, Mitch (May 16, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.13.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  15. Metcalf, Mitch (May 23, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.20.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  16. Metcalf, Mitch (June 6, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.3.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  17. Metcalf, Mitch (June 13, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.10.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  18. Metcalf, Mitch (April 30, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  19. Metcalf, Mitch (May 7, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.4.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
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  21. Metcalf, Mitch (May 21, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.18.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  22. Metcalf, Mitch (May 28, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  23. Metcalf, Mitch (June 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  24. Metcalf, Mitch (June 11, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  25. Metcalf, Mitch (June 18, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.15.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  26. Metcalf, Mitch (June 25, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.22.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  27. Metcalf, Mitch (July 2, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.29.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  28. "The Son: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  29. "The Son: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
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