Longmire: Series Premiere

Television is America's booze and A&E has finally hopped on the bandwagon.

For those of you who live in LA, you're used to the massive advertisements that sprinkle the Sunset strip and every bus stop around the city. The big networks like HBO, Showtime, and even AMC have gained a monopoly over these coveted spots, but with the arrival of Longmire it looks like there may be a new kid on the block. A&E's latest hourlong drama is all over the city; the image of a beaten, dusty Sheriff head down and ready for business represents the new series. His name is Walt Longmire, and at the rate he's going, with a 4.1 million viewer opening, he's going to be our next TV hero. After all, isn't it time for another Mr. Chuck Norris?

The series is based on the book by Craig Johnson, which always promises for some longevity in a show. Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) is the Sheriff of Absaroka, a small town hidden in the mountains of Wyoming. He's beaten, bruised (emotionally and physically) and oh, so handsome. Only a cowboy can make crow’s feet and sun-ripened skin romantic.

Just over a year ago he lost his wife, and apparently hasn't been coping too well. His daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman) warns him that he "needs to move on" but he still denies being in any trouble. Looks like we’ll be experiencing our protagonist in recovery mode-always the best.

The first episode introduces us to the adventure that is Longmire's job with a murder. His partner Vic (Katee Sackhoff) finds a man buried in the snow and shot in the back. The weirdest thing? Longmire doesn't recognize the man, and he knows everyone in town.

Meanwhile the deputies back at the office clue us in on Longmire's past year. He hasn't been showing up for work on time, keeping up with his duties, or paying his fellow workers much respect. Branch Conally (Bailey Chase) has decided to run against him in the coming year for Sheriff. If Longmire doesn't get his act together, he may have some competition. On the other hand, his partner Vick and The Ferg, played by my dear friend Adam Bartley (shameless shout out!), are supportive of Longmire's recovery. The Ferg also promises for some serious comic relief amidst such other heavy characters.

As the episode progresses, we witness not only how tough Longmire is, but also how intelligent. When being chased by one of the suspected killers, he counts to five before he ducks. He knows it will take approximately that long for the gunman to load the rifle.

The office eventually traces the murder to the report of a missing girl, Lilly Stillwater (Amber Midthunder). She went missing from the Indian reserve, a territory forbidden from the "whites" like Longmire. A young ranch hand named Colton, played by another good friend Austin Hebert (shameless shout out number two!) tells the deputies that the missing girl is involved in prostitution. As the office gets further into the mystery, we see how complicated the law and the relationships are in Absaroka.

It's an intriguing show with a pilot that doesn't disappoint. It's reminiscent of Lonesome Dove and Walker, Texas Ranger. For once our hero isn't in a suit sipping scotch, frolicking around Venice in jeans and a black shirt or (worst of all) from Jersey and a DJ. Longmire is a real man. His truck flips over, smashing glass in his face and hands and he climbs out of the car ready for his next mission; he's a true western warrior.

Bottom line: the show has great potential.