The Outsiders Episodes 1-3 Reviews: If "Sons Of Anarchy" And "Deliverance" Had A Baby (Series Premiere)

WGNA continues to try to make a name for itself with original programming. I previously tuned in for "Salem". The witch show had great potential but unfortunately fizzled in the end. Janet Montgomery gave it her all though as the long suffering puritan Mary Sibley. Lucy Lawless was a great addition as the Countess Marburg. Stephen Lang was delightful to watch as Increase Mather. He even made my 10 Most Intriguing Men Of 2015

The channel's newest offering "Outsiders" premiered last month. It's the story of an isolated family (the Farrells) who have lived on Shay Mountain outside Blackburg Kentucky for some 200 years. They have little to no contact with the outside world. They even have their own fragmented language. They say "Ged Gedyah" a lot. This apparently translates to "Hell yeah". Some big coal company want their land and plans to evict them. The other locals desperately need jobs and the coal mine would provide them. They turn against the Farrells. The local deputy Wade Houghton is tasked with removing the Farrells but thinks it's a really bad idea.

The leader of the mountain folk (known as the Bren'in) is Lady Ray. She is scheduled to turn over control of the clan to her son Big Foster (Foster the 4th) but changes her mind. He decides to take control and nearly smothers her to death. She is currently in a coma.

A "prodigal son" named Asa (he's actually a cousin) has returned to the mountain after being away for 10 years. They lock him in a cage as penance. He is eventually released in order to read the eviction notice. He's the only person in the group who can read. Big Foster's son Little Foster is romantically involved with G'Win (but she still has feelings for Asa). Big Foster has another younger son who meets an unfortunate end.

A young cousin named Hasil is fascinated by the townspeople and returns on several occasions to visit a cashier named Sally Ann. He wants to make money to impress her. He sells a jug of moonshine (known as "Farrell Wine") to a local drug dealer with disastrous consequences.

And so the story goes...

At first I was offended by the show (being Appalachian myself). But the premise is so ludicrous I cant see how anyone would think it's remotely related to reality. The Farrelll clan shuns all contact with the outside world. Yet they drive their ATVs through the aisles of the local Walmart when they want something.

Many of the Farrells seem to have store bought clothes. Dont tell me they made all those leather outfits themselves. They know what guns are. Their buildings are made from fabricated materials. And is that an amplifier I see for their hoe downs? I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what it is that the Farrells are opposed to about modern life. Yes, they are isolationists but they seem to steal/scavenge whatever they need from others. That's not really being self sufficient.

They also spend a lot of time fighting and throwing knives (as woodspeople do). To settle a dispute, Asa and Little Foster have a "pit battle". They put on all sorts of padding and duel it out on ATVs. It seemed a bit too "Mad Max" for me.

Episode Guide:
Episode 1: "Farrell Wine"
Episode 2: "Doomsayer"
Episode 3: j"Messengers"

Grade: 3 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "Outsiders" has some potential but not sure I can suspend reality enough to enjoy the show. I might check back periodically and see how it's going.