With Showtime and AMC's recent success at topping HBO at the Emmys (Mad Men and Homeland), it seems that the History Channel wants to join the fight and throw some rocks at the big boys in terms of drama. After all, the History Channel's documentaries have been losing some steam especially with their recent disasters like Ancient Aliens blemishing the reputation of a once respected Documentary channel.
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For those who are unfamiliar with the American network, The History Channel is a historical documentary channel that was once associated with high standards of factual documentaries. While the early part of the channel's history was criticized for focusing too much of the military aspects of US history, programs such as Modern Marvels have always been praised for presenting factual information in an entertaining way without compromising the former for the ladder. Once the channel started to steer away from their WWII military documentaries, the trouble with the channel's credibility started. Most notably The Man Who Killed Kennedy in 2003, which was eventually disavowed after severe criticisms. Towards the later half of the 2000s, shows such as Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men, and Pawn Stars started appearing and the network received further criticism that the channel's historical nature was being soiled. Maybe it was about time that History Channel started creating drama series. After all, historical documentaries were starting to get stale with the American audience and reality shows (with little to no relations to history) were the only thing really giving the channel their ratings.
So Hatfields & McCoy became the channel's first scripted drama series (The Kennedy's was actually their first but the series was such a disaster that the History Channel decided against airing it).
On paper the series didn't seem to fair too bad (especially after what happened with The Kennedys). It gathered 5 Emmy nominations and 2 wins for Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries with Kevin Costner and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries with Tom Berenger. In truth, the cast was one of the stronger aspects of the show. Kevin Costner is a great casting choice for the role as he always seem the most comfortable in a period pieces.
Yet, the entire miniseries as an overall seemed to lack something. There's just an edge that HBO have had for ages and both Showtime and AMC have figured out recently to TV dramas that the History Channel hasn't gotten yet with this show. It's understandable, Hatfields & McCoy is their first venture into this kind of TV and it's a bit of a tall order to be beating channels with a successful history in Primetime TV on your first try. But as a TV consumer (and self-appointed critic), that's still little consolation at the fact that Hatfields & McCoy was just a rather mundane product. Admittedly, there may not be anything specifically horrible with the show. Yet, quality TV has probably never been better with Primetime heavy hitters competing even for nominations at the Emmys let alone the grand prize and Hatfields & McCoy is an easily forgettable footnote in this year's TV.
The biggest problem is probably the show's writing. After 2 episodes (the series only ran for 3), a lot has happened but there doesn't seem to be very much movement in terms of character. For those who don't know about the historical event, the show chronicles a bloody feud that broke out between two Southern families right at the end of the civil war. The feud lasted for decades and claimed 37 family members and friends, almost putting the state of Kentucky and West Virginia in a civil war at one point. The accuracy of the events and character are admirable, but the dramatic story leaves a lot to be desired. This brings be back to a comment I made earlier about this show lacking a certain edge. Let me elaborate.
Serious drama shows, especially modern and current shows, have a certain dramatic weight. What happens in the writing and on screen isn't just impactful, it's life changing to both the characters and the viewers. This isn't necessarily specific to TV fiction but it's one things that really separates TV from many other mediums. TV, in regards to it's modern drama section, isn't just there to entertain anymore it's there to enlighten and awaken. Drama shows need to be emotionally poignant and intellectually challenging if they want to be pushing for the Emmys and, generally speaking, many networks have developed the attitude that quality sells on TV. Hence why Daytime TV is now in a decline and even mainstream network procedurals have stepped up their game (Elementary, Criminal Minds, Monk, and even 24).
Hatfields & McCoy is lacking this inner philosophical core. I suppose a part of being a good writer is understanding what and when to explore and not be too overly ambitious to push a point. However, the entire dramatic arc of Hatfields & McCoy seems so subdued it's almost non-existent. Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling for every TV series to be like In Treatment or Game of Thrones where insights and witty remarks about life and moral etiquette (or if there's really such a thing as one) are uttered in a soft but determined whisper. But there's plenty of ways to show a dramatic wisdom without having the characters be that intellectually aware. Hell on Wheels is an amazing example of how the show's inner core is smarter than its characters; who are also very similar to the characters in Hatfields & McCoy.
Really what makes serious dramatic stories worthwhile is what we learn about the human condition. Most dramatic TV series fully understands that and explores it as much as possible, even sacrificing plot or action for it (Battlestar Galactica). It's the characters and their moral and internal struggles that we need to see as well as what the situations our characters find themselves in say about them as people. The characters of Hatfields & McCoy seem oddly one dimensional and the situations seem to say little about them as people except that they are not very bright and all too quick to use their guns. Honestly? That doesn't enlighten us enough to make it worthwhile to sit through. One almost feels as if the History Channel only used this series to test the waters.
At the end of the day, Hatfields & McCoy seem little more than a better made re-enactment for a historical documentary. I see a lot of potential for the network as an overall. There may not be an audience for everything, but there's always an audience for quality. Downton Abbey and Mad Men both proved that. If the History Channel can just internalize that attitude then we can start seeing shows that will really be a talking point in the Emmys. Remember, historical accuracy is important and will get you some satisfied nods. But that as well as a strong, bold, and intellectually challenging dramatic arc will get you all the way, just look at The Tudors... oh... wait...
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I'M SORRY KING HENRY I'M SO SORRY! YOU DESERVE 20 EMMYS!
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Rating:
It's a shame that such an interesting and potentially intellectually challenging material is distilled into a boring plot point by plot point re-enactment.
