Who is watching The Red Road? It’s my new favorite show! Set in New Jersey, this drama is darker but somewhat reminiscent of The Sopranos. Let’s say: Gangsters without the smiles. And, when I say “gangsters,” I mean this second season original show is actually exploring, whether intentionally or not, ideas around a voluntary society.
Set in the fictional sovereign land of the Ramapo Mountain Indians and the town of Walpole, 25 miles outside Manhattan, Red Road explores a Shakespeareanly dark relationship between a troubled member of the Ramapo tribe and a sheriff struggling to keep his family together after a cover up on Indian land involving his recovering-alcoholic schizo wife.
It’s a modern day cowboy and Indian story, except the cowboy cops are as corrupt as the so-called, supposed “bad guys.” In fact, the best part of the story is there are no “good guys” and “bad guys,” there are only people, making decisions, good and bad. We all dance with the devil.
The voluntary themes explored so far include: private agreements, helping others without jailing them, jailing others without helping them, environmentalism, tribalism, trust, family, honor, corruption, betrayal, and love. Bonus points? The lead Ramapo character is played by Hawaiian Jason Momoa, the totes fuckable hottie from Game of Thrones, no other than the Dothraki King, “Khal Drogo,” BUT WAIT! it gets better, Lisa Bonet, from The Cosby Show and Angel Heart, is his love interest, and things are hot and steamy and conflicted, BUT WAIT, it gets EVEN better… they are married IRL!
Extra bonus points? The producers of the show were so concerned that Drago and Proudfoot’s energy would be too explosive for the screen, they end up not getting a lot of screen-screw time together, but… would I watch that sex tape? Let the market decide…