Longmire, airing on A&E, is one of that cable channel’s forays into scripted drama and clearly meant to compete directly with its rivals FX, TNT, and AMC in the ‘quality adaptation’ or ‘atmospheric crime drama’ genres. It’s based on a series of mystery novels by Craig Johnson, and though set in modern day, the show has a distinct Western feel to it with its open spaces and taciturn, troubled hero.
Robert Taylor portrays Sheriff Walt Longmire, a skilled investigator who has lost his way somewhat while grieving the death of his wife. His deputies, daughter, and best friend Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) all try to get him back into living, but wouldn’t you know it’s a case that gets his interest. A murder, a missing girl, and tensions with the nearby Cheyenne Reservation have the refreshing feel of an actual case that a rural sheriff would run into (as opposed to the constant serial killers and master criminals that infest most crime dramas). I have no idea how closely or not the plot follows from a novel, but the pieces lead in interesting places and tie up reasonably, and that’s what I like in a mystery. But this is a show that will live and die on its characters, not the cases, and the show has started off right with that, populating the show with characters who feel that they exist when they’re not on-screen.
The reason I wanted to watch Longmire is because Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) plays Deputy Vic Moretti, a newcomer to the department and a bit of an enigma. Sackhoff brought Kara Thrace to life, and I hope Vic Moretti will be a character as layered and interesting, though of course she’s not there yet. At least I think there’s a chance on this show, whereas her stint on 24 as Dana Walsh, a character widely reviled as an example of the worst of 24 haphazard plot and character development, was certainly not. So if you only know Sackhoff from that (go watch Battlestar Galactica), but be assured that she’s capable of much more. I look forward to the development of Vic Moretti, and all the characters we’re just beginning to know, as the season progresses.
This show is moody and paced with a slow deliberation, which will not be everyone’s cup of tea and I fear commercials will break it up more, but I hope people give the show a chance. It held my attention easily, as this new world unfolded, and it felt very cinematic, maybe a hybrid of Fargo and Unforgiven, where the vistas are almost a character themselves. As long as the show keeps it up like this, I’m in for the journey and mysteries of Sheriff Longmire and his deputies.
Longmire premieres on A&E on June 3.
Clacked by Liz Tamura 
on May 29, 2012 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I looked at the promos and thought it was a knock-off of Justified without the humor. I may tune in since you like it though.
*POST AUTHOR*
It’s not really much like Justified at all, though that’s the most obvious comparison, what with the hats! In tone and derivation, I think they’re quite different: Justified (and Elmore Leonard) is film noir, where even our hero is barely different from the bad guys he chases, and everyone’s always looking for a score. Longmire is a more traditional Western cowboy hero, and though I haven’t read the Longmire books, the pilot reminded me more of the Tony Hillerman mysteries, where the clash between the whites and native tribes is always a part of the story, even when they’re chasing meth dealers. (I was actually going to get into this into the review after it airs, so you’re getting a preview of that too!)
Also, I wouldn’t say it’s a laugh riot or anything, but it does have a bit of humor in it.
Thanks. I will give it a try then. I like Hillerman’s books so if it’s like those, I’ll probably like this.