Joe Pickett, is a series on Amazon Prime based on C.J. Box’s best-selling book series. It’s a contemporary, crime thriller featuring a Wyoming game warden, Pickett, and his family. I just finished watching the first two seasons (2023). I loved it! However, the plot twists are almost science fiction, with some fantasy, too. And the dialogue is pretty hokey. Cornball sweet. Additionally, it’s moralistic. That said, I’d give it five stars. Because it’s beautiful, rustic, and far-fetched. Just what the doctor ordered.
Let’s get into it.
The Setting
is a small town (aren’t they all?) in Wyoming. Present day. Cell phones, Internet, wifi and such; all of which play a huge part in the story. I like that. Because that makes the story relatable by drawing me in. Okay, I thought, that makes sense. Compared to say Hell on Wheels. Which also takes place in Wyoming; but in the 1860’s after the Civil War. Those times I can hardly imagine.
And then there’s Outer Range. Which is fantasy.
Guess what? Not a whole lot has changed, except for the communication technology. The Wyoming landscape remains the same.
And the people? yeah. People are the same as they’ve always been.
The Plot
is of the rescue type. Good versus evil–meaning good guy (& gal) versus bad guy (& gal). The plot lines are similar to Yellowstone, Hell on Wheels, and Outer Range.
There are bad, evil people trying to get rich; by any which way they can. Lying, murder. All the usual bad human things. One thing leads to another.
Season One
pits Joe Pickett against some wild, crazy survivalist, local hunters; and also some land-grabbing capitalists bent on getting rich. Corruption of institutions and the authority loom large.
Season Two
expands upon season one. Seems like it never ends. [Great for a series.] This time the plot hones in on the abuse of women and children by men. Fueled by alcohol, of course.
Characterization
is where the series excels. Additionally, why the book and TV series are so successful. C.J. Box makes his heroes appealing to both men and women. Together, the husband and wife triumph. Because of their love for each other and their determination to not be like their parents. Moreover, that is not based on a religion.
The heroic couple are ordinary people trying to do extraordinary things.
It is very Freudian.
My literary heroes
tend to be like Jesse Stone and Harry Bosch. Or Tarzan. Pickett is something akin to all of them. Pickett appears to be a man conflicted. A modern man. Pickett is torn between what he thinks is right and the world as it is.
Box, or someone, names an important character, Sheridan. A shout out to Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone?
The Style
or voice, is a little clunky. Choppy, with lots of flashbacks it can be confusing.
And like I said, the dialogue can be forced–somewhat pedantic, slanted towards virtue signaling. The language of therapy-speak. “Okay” is the general response. Also, “We’ll figure it out.” “I hear you.” I’m here, now.” I don’t mind that, though. It is informative as to how relationships can be.
Themes, or Big Idea
is, again, based on a therapeutic model–that it’s up to you. Your task is to make the right choice in any given situation–to take action. Both main characters are adult children of alcoholics (ACOA). Additionally, both suffer from post traumatic disorder (PTSD). There is the mention of the efficacy of Inner Child Therapy.
The main theme is that you don’t have to do as your daddy (or mommy) did. You can do better, and make the world a better place.
It’s good stuff. It’s beautiful, rustic, and far-fetched. In other words, worth thinking about.
In Conclusion
I recommend you watch this, if: you are inclined to wonder about why people do what they do. It is a modern day fantasy. Because in the end love triumphs. Which is still undetermined.