Rating: - Historically Inacurate, Politically Indelicate, Well Produced, And Extremely Enjoyable: A Truly Fun Show
When "The Young Riders" aired, I was only able to view a few episodes, but enjoyed what I saw. Hence, when I found the show listed on Amazon I purchased it, and have just finished watching Season 1. For the most part, I completely enjoyed the episodes, despite the fact that I had to keep reminding myself: "This is a fictional show, so ignore the historical non-sense and just get into a good, old fashioned western." And let me tell you, as someone who has read about and studied the "old west" for over 40 years, it is not always easy to ignore the "historical farces." But I did, and it is well worth it. Moreover, I hope that in doing so, people might find something in my review, unlike some current reviews, to help them decide to watch the show. And, like most other reviewers, I sure hope the studios release the other seasons.

For a show with such a large cast and such a limited venue, "The Young Riders" does an outstanding job--each actor getting their moment in the "light" to flesh out their character. In fact, it is the characters/actors that make this show SO fun to watch! Not being a huge follower of actors, I have no idea if any of the stars have managed to go on to "bigger" things, or have had a very successful career, but what they contributed to the "The Young Riders" is truly noteworthy--especially given the scripts sometimes "too unrealistic" content. In particular, I think that Anthony Zerbe, as Aloysius "Teaspoon" Hunter (a former Texas Ranger and one of the only survivors of the Battle of the Alamo), gives the best performances I have ever seen by him. While Ty Miller (as The Kid), Stephen Baldwin (as William F. Cody), Josh Brolin (as James Butler Hickok), and Travis Fine (as Ike McSwain) all give great performance (despite the fact they are all clearly too big--a rider could not weigh over 125 pounds), it is the other performances that I truly enjoyed.

Melissa Leo as Emma Shannon, the caretaker of the station and the riders, is adorable, alway on the money, and her portrayal expands exceptionally well through the season as her character grows. Brett Cullen is both comical and dramatic as Sam Cain, the current marshal of Sweetwater, and a former gunslinger who is in love with Emma. In many ways Cullen and his character are the central figures of the show. Yvonne Suhor, who plays the intriguing character Louise "Lou" McCloud (who presents herself as a man so that she can join the riders, but is found out by The Kid in the first episode, and by the other riders when they help her rescue her brother and sister from their abusive outlaw father), I find to be extremely refreshing, adding an unexpected dimension to the show. However, in my opinion, the best performer on the show is Gregg Rainwater (a Native American actor of Osage, Cherokee, and Irish descent) who plays Buck Cross (Running Buck), a half Kiowa who is close friends with Ike. More importantly, Rainwater's character, Buck, helps to break down stereotypes that the townsfolk have of Indians and, I fell, is the person that is always there and the glue that holds the "gang" together. Gregg Rainwater is the greatest redemption towards the "political indelicacy" of "The Young Riders."

Less simple for me to accept about the "The Young Riders" is what I am trying to minimize, by saying the show is "politically indelicate." I say this because there are a number of scenes and episodes involving Native Americans that are troubling: costumes, characterization, themes, tribes involved, or socio-cultural ways of Native American life. Conversely, there are also scenes that are quite positive in the presentation of Native Americans. Similarly, I found myself very unenthusiastic about the way "The Young Riders" addressed the politics of the causes of the American Civil War. The portrayal of persons sympathetic to the Southern cause are almost unilaterally the "bad guys," and supportive or activists of slavery. Yet at the same time, the show does show the US soldiers declaring martial law, trampling on private citizens, ignoring the US Constitution, and, in general, questionable individuals. I just wish the show had left the whole subject alone--especially since "The Young Riders" takes place (apparently) in Wyoming, where the American Civil War had little, if any, import during this time period. While there are other political issues I saw in the show, all were generally dealt with in the same fashion; that is, the show "attempted" to counter weight political views that were portrayed.

Overall, I would love to give "The Young Riders" five stars--and would based simply on pure entertainment--but I feel it necessary to acknowledge the "political" contradictions of the show. The four star rating is also based in part on aspects I have yet to mention: the ludicrousness of the number of people "killed," how easy some are "killed" and how easy some "recover," how seldom anyone actually reloads, and--perhaps most pertinent to the overall theme of the show--how little the pony express riders actually "ride."

Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.