Its debut run takes full advantage of everyone's chemistry with each other, not just by focusing on them individually, but by mixing and matching players depending on what the story needs. At the end of season 1, everyone has had a meaningful or fun exchange with everyone, which makes the Clyburns feel more fleshed out as a unit.

It’s rock-solid, gripping television with multi-generational appeal.

We were happy to take in the contemplative pace of The Madison as well as watching Pfeiffer’s performance. But we’re also concerned that Sheridan’s penchant for leaden dialogue and sketchy portrayals of female characters are going to ultimately drag this show down.

Michelle Pfeiffer enters the Taylor Sheridan universe in stellar form even when he sinks her in a Montana vs Manhattan grudge match that’ll bore you breathless.

In most respects, the TV mogul’s latest is the same as his prior New West offerings, full of two-dimensional types, clunky dilemmas, and absurd and old-hat urban vs. rural dynamics that were out of date 50 years ago.

The Madison should be coursing with emotion, almost overwhelming in its strength and impact. Instead, the writing is just stagnant, awkward and predictable as it tries to wring out more emotion.

Her [Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn] incandescent rage provides the only source of illumination in this tired parade of anti-elitist tropes straight out of a Fox News opinion show. The performance is good enough to make one wish Sheridan had any idea how to write material worthy of the actress.