The Westerner

The Westerner, an early 60s television series from NBC, is a unique blend of the classic cowboy/Western genre with elements of vivid naturalistic imagery and an intensely personal, emotive storytelling style. This single-season show, which originally aired in 1960, stands out in the crowded arena of vintage television Westerns, known for its darker, more nuanced approach to depicting the harsh realities of life on the American frontier.

Created by Sam Peckinpah, a legendary name in the realm of Western cinema, The Westerner introduces us to the world of Dave Blassingame, a cowboy without a home. This intriguing character is brought to life with scruffy charisma and magnetic humility by actor Brian Keith. Blassingame is an unconventional cowboy protagonist. He is philosophical and introspective, a lone wanderer braving the wilderness not just with his physical strengths but also with his wits, perceptiveness, and his indomitable spirit.

A unique aspect of the show is Blassingame's relationship with his dog, Brown. This loyal canine companion is as constant a fixture in the show as the protagonist himself, mirroring Blassingame's relentless spirit and serving as his silent partner in his journey across the wild frontier.

The Westerner's narrative style is distinct in its episodic nature; each episode ambles along, following Blassingame as he finds himself thrown into a variety of situations and locales while he roams the wild west. Throughout the 13 episodic adventures, Blassingame is found hiring himself out to ranchers, getting ensnared in disputes over land and cattle, often unwittingly, taking a keen interest in ladies whose paths he crosses and generally getting entangled with diverse characters he meets along the way.

Just like the vivid landscapes and natural backdrop which characterizes the show, the people Blassingame encounters are representations of the raw, unvarnished reality of life in the wild west - hardened by desolation, embittered by conflict, yet often revealing undercurrents of humanity, compassion, and warmth. From desperate fugitives and battling homesteaders to scheming ranch hands and misunderstood outlaws, Blassingame’s encounters form the bedrock of the show’s explorative character-centric narrative.

And amidst all these interactions and entanglements, one could witness Blassingame's profound understanding of human nature, his remarkable ability to empathize despite the hardened exterior, and his values aligning to an immutable moral compass, becoming the show's anchoring force.

The Westerner's tone, setting, and narrative structure reflect Peckinpah's distinct creative vision. The series is a showcase for his ability to tell nuanced, character-driven stories set in a harsh, unfiltered landscape. Among the aspects that this series is celebrated for, the brilliant black-and-white cinematography holds a dominant place. The stunning high contrast imagery harmoniously works with the gritty yet poetic narrative, symbolically drawing out the starkness and isolation of the Western frontier.

Peckinpah's signature storytelling style or "Peckinpah Touch," as known among Western genre lovers, brings out distinct undercurrents of existential loneliness and a philosophical exploration of the human existence, well-etched with the wild, open expanse of the west as its canvas. While the backdrop and setting remain rugged and raw, the protagonist's journey and his encounters maintain an elemental humanistic tone, often veering towards the melancholic yet hopeful.

The Westerner may not have been a commercial success in its original run, but over the decades, it has aged well, gaining a well-deserved cult status among avid followers of the Western genre and television historians alike. A part of this is owing to the late Brian Keith's moving performance as well as a host of strong guest performances.

To sum up, The Westerner's enduring appeal lies in its journeying cowboy protagonist navigating the sprawling tapestry of human experience in the American frontier, set amidst gorgeously composed black-and-white vistas, touching upon compelling themes of survival, companionship, morality, loneliness, raw human resilience, and the unquenchable spirit of the quintessential westerner. While reminiscent of the classic cowboy tales from the era, The Westerner remains unique with its stark realism and captivating emotional depth.