Joe Pickett is a must watch for any western fan. It seems most people who've watched it seem to really like it. The only people who seem not to like it are fans of the book that are mad that it isn't exactly like the book. They don't understand that it's based off the book and has to be adapted for television. Try not to compare it to the book and just take it for what it is and that's a very good show. This started off as a Spectrum original but gained a much bigger audience when it went to Paramount Plus. I have to say I really didn't expect to like it as much as I did. I'm really looking forward to more seasons in the coming years.
261 Reviews
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would
Supermanfan-136 September 2023
For some reason I've been putting off watching Joe Pickett ever since it came out. Now that I've actually seen it I'm mad at myself for waiting so long. It was so much better than I expected it to be. I'm not sure why I waited so long because I'm a big fan of westerns. Michael Dorman is terrific as Joe Pickett. I remember Dorman from one of the most underrated shows of all-time in Patriot. This is another underrated show that he's terrific in. It's not the best show I've seen but it's definitely worth watching. It may start a little slow for some but stick with because after an episode or two it becomes addicting and the next thing you know you're going to want to binge it as fast as you can.
Book fans rejoice
vqyzxncq29 December 2021
As a huge fan of the books I had reservations. Especially after Big Sky turned out to be such a disappointment. I was won over quickly by the actors. They brought the world of the novels to life for me. Joes commitment to his family,job,and sense of right and wrong is a breath of fresh air in our troubled times. One quibble would be the casting of Nate as a softer guy than I would have liked but future seasons could correct that. Please make more seasons!
Best of the Neo-Westerns
melaine-1396922 September 2022
Joe Pickett is my choice for best Neo-western. I am a big Yellowstone fan, but I have never felt like the characters capture the essence of the old western protagonist. Unlike Yellowstone, Joe Pickett has the same great character qualities of characters like Ben Cartwright and Marshall Dillon. I like that Joe is a underestimated hero throughout the show. I also love his smart and level headed wife, Mary Beth. They make a lovable couple and team. I like that they both grew up in bad situations and the show often shows them overcoming past trauma. I like that Joe is clearly the good guy of this story and I really rooted for him the whole time. The only complaint I have is the CGI elk. Why do they look like that?
We need more shows with this calibur or above...
djcmnv2 January 2022
Been so tired of the trash being put out that it was refreshing to watch this show.. It's back to basics... Other than a few scenes that could have been shot better, the story plot, suspense, and acting all support ne another. A very cohesive thriller that relies on all three. A real art... and no fake.action scenes used as fillers. I.m hoping and looking forward for more to come.
Solid family crime-thriller
supermellowcali1 January 2022
Series one: well done production, good story details and character motivation. The cast is excellent and acting overall good. This is a soft thriller, not overly violent and fairly realistic. The first episode is representative, but the story becomes complex and interrelated as it continues...
Accents...
vickenn7 December 2021
Entertaining
WinnieWillow4 September 2023
A bit sappy, but good enough storyline throughout the entire series. You couldn't pay me enough to live in Saddlestring , a horrid place, as pretty as it is.(It was filmed in Alberta CA ) I didn't read the books, but teachers and police are portrayed as idiots and/ or incredibly corrupt with Joe , a troubled and depressed game warden, and his likable family ,the only decent people around , with the weight of straightening out all the horrible misdeeds in the area while staying alive since everyone wants to harm them.it's pretty obvious who will become the bad guy early in each season, but it's the twists to get there that are entertaining.
Really enjoyable
barcmeister495816 April 2022
Wasn't sure about the show for the first few minutes-seemed like it might be hokey but I'm glad we persevered and watched it further. Really great storyline, loved the characters and the comedic relief throughout and it had great scenery to boot. Really enjoyed this.
Why?
b-peacock-156-13740814 August 2023
Generally good overall but why make Nate R black, smaller and a less important component of tbe story. , it makes no sense. NR is supposed to be an imposing fellow, very tall, blond hair, pony tall and with a temper and known as the viking. If the characteris going to disappear, both in essence and actuality why keep tbe name? The girl playing Sheldon has a most annoying voice but maybe that's just me, also too much cgi for me. Otherwise character development was decent, as was most of the acting. I would recommend that anyone that hasn't done so that they read the books, there is more depth to them.
Getting worse
sd-lister22 July 2023
I never read the books, so I'm coming at this based solely on the series, but where Picket was a damaged man in the first series, in this second season he's becoming a pathetic pushover. And just when I thought the writers couldn't tear him down any further, he's now apparently impotent. Picket's character is being so badly written, that it's getting harder to even like or root for him this season. I don't know if this is how Joe is portrayed in the books, but I'm guessing they wouldn't have been popular enough to become a series if he was. The same is happening to Nate, to a lesser degree, with the absolutely annoying character of Cricket, a person who seems utterly oblivious to the danger around her or Nate's repeated efforts to keep her safe, her constant whining notwithstanding.
Aside from these two characters, plot holes abound, along with people making silly decisions that really stretch credulity. And then there are the repeated assaults against Picket, physical beatings, guns in the face, all the way up to attempted murder, with zero repercussions or consequences. It's all treated like nothing more than an insult, which is exactly what it is to the audience. There's a lot more, but I don't care enough to waste anymore time on this show. I'll finish the season with two episodes left, mainly because I'm a completionist, but I'm not excited about it. At all.
Aside from these two characters, plot holes abound, along with people making silly decisions that really stretch credulity. And then there are the repeated assaults against Picket, physical beatings, guns in the face, all the way up to attempted murder, with zero repercussions or consequences. It's all treated like nothing more than an insult, which is exactly what it is to the audience. There's a lot more, but I don't care enough to waste anymore time on this show. I'll finish the season with two episodes left, mainly because I'm a completionist, but I'm not excited about it. At all.
Actually found myself getting addicted
skycvg29 December 2021
Love the books, like the series
debbiedeanln27 December 2021
Honestly, I appreciate the effort to stay close to the characters & storyline - this production has done it much bettter than most book to film adaptations but I was shocked to see Nate. The actor is giving it his best shot but casting a big beefy African American to play the part of a tall, wiry, white ex special forces guy is jarring when you know the books. Kind of like casting Tom Cruise as 6'5" Jack Reacher, it just doesn't really work. Someone like Eric Christian Olsen would have been a much closer physical fit. And Missy really needs to be more of a snobby bitch, but all in all, i'm hoping that there wil be more than 10 episodes. It's a good start.
I'm hooked
sonflower-968968 December 2021
I'm hooked. Believable characters in the great outdoors, with a good storyline and the occasional heartwarming or comical relief. It's easy to look past minor flaws, when the acting is as good as the writing. (Not that there were flaws to gloat about.). I watch a fair amount of fantasy-sci-fi, which have much more visible flaws.
Good first season
Badger121016 August 2023
Many TV shows will, in the end, not be perfect with things like poor cgi, editing, writing and acting. For the most part, Picket was pretty darn good for the first
6 episodes before any major issue surfaced.
By episodes 7-9 the needed information or thing just started to fall into the lap of the good guys and the bad guys seemed to get dumber or suddenly acted out of character. Episode 8 went on way too long and episode 9 wrapped up halfway through.
There is a little environmental preaching in here and what little there is fits into the overall story and I don't feel like I have been clubbed.
Even with that the show was entertaining and I found myself liking the main characters. All of the actors did an excellent job, even the children.
I have never read the books but want to and I will be clicking on season 2 here shortly.
By episodes 7-9 the needed information or thing just started to fall into the lap of the good guys and the bad guys seemed to get dumber or suddenly acted out of character. Episode 8 went on way too long and episode 9 wrapped up halfway through.
There is a little environmental preaching in here and what little there is fits into the overall story and I don't feel like I have been clubbed.
Even with that the show was entertaining and I found myself liking the main characters. All of the actors did an excellent job, even the children.
I have never read the books but want to and I will be clicking on season 2 here shortly.
Once again the Powers that be feel that they have to change the character.
bburkhill10 February 2022
After watching the first episode I was astounded that they'd changed the character of Nate, a 6'2" blonde white American is now an Afro American, weren't there any actors that matched the description in the books?
Lee Child did it first selling his soul to the dollar with a 5'2" Tom Cruise cast as 6'4" 245lb Jack Reacher.
Why can't film Makers for TV or the Studio have the cast as portrayed in the book. Did they feel that they had to tick all of the right PC boxes.
Lee Child did it first selling his soul to the dollar with a 5'2" Tom Cruise cast as 6'4" 245lb Jack Reacher.
Why can't film Makers for TV or the Studio have the cast as portrayed in the book. Did they feel that they had to tick all of the right PC boxes.
Season 2 Jumps the Shark
scottross8 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Season 1 was pretty good. Season 2 completely insults your intelligence. It relies on the old trope of making everyone an idiot in order to create drama. Joe Picket is nearly killed looking for a hunter that was killed on the mountain. And when he tells the police he was attacked by brothers living on the mountain they decide he made it up even though they're standing underneath the hanging dead body that Pickett found. Everything from there just grows more frustrating. Keep in mind the same sheriff who blew it in season one and led to the deaths of several people is still the sheriff and the deputy who's one of the dumbest characters in the history of TV is still the deputy but with somehow more influence.
The writers are just insulting their viewers. Don't waste your time.
The writers are just insulting their viewers. Don't waste your time.
Great series, entertaining, but also raises questions
jackie-507324 September 2023
Wow. On the one hand, the main characters of the Pickett family are really great people, each character in their own right. However, if I had to judge how the two parents behave in situations relevant to the story, I would have to describe parts of their decisions as extremely stupid and simple-minded.
Were the characters intentionally created so naively in the script? It must have hurt to write it. Otherwise a great series. A nature that is really worth seeing, so pretty that I could easily imagine living there. Aside from the trigger-happy idiots who are recurringly sketched throughout the series.
A short-lived, great series with a lot of entertainment value, but also painfully stupid acting characters.
Were the characters intentionally created so naively in the script? It must have hurt to write it. Otherwise a great series. A nature that is really worth seeing, so pretty that I could easily imagine living there. Aside from the trigger-happy idiots who are recurringly sketched throughout the series.
A short-lived, great series with a lot of entertainment value, but also painfully stupid acting characters.
A disapointment for fans of the books
bill-246638 January 2022
Selection of actors for Joe, Missy, Nate, sheriff and other characters not true to books and to my imagination. Adding flashbacks to Joe's childhood adds nothing to the story and is not true to the books. I understand that most people who watch this series will have not read the books. C. J. Box's books are a treasure!
A solid modern Western.
chiefjournalist26 August 2022
Paramount+ Has done it again. They've added a solid western drama series to their lineup.
New Zealander Michael Dorman (of "For all Mankind) gets his star turn as the title character and turns in a solid performance as the honest game warden in a corrupt county.
Pickett, transfers into his new job and begins to shake things up by enforcing the law and looking into things.
And we people and animals begin dying under suspicious circumstances... Pickett finds he must not only enforcing the rules, he needs to keep his family out of harm's way.
New Zealander Michael Dorman (of "For all Mankind) gets his star turn as the title character and turns in a solid performance as the honest game warden in a corrupt county.
Pickett, transfers into his new job and begins to shake things up by enforcing the law and looking into things.
And we people and animals begin dying under suspicious circumstances... Pickett finds he must not only enforcing the rules, he needs to keep his family out of harm's way.
CJ. Box, Joe Pickett
amyallan-0357312 December 2021
I am a hug fan of CJ Box..and I fell in love with the Joe Pickett series.:I'm not a huge fan of reading books but CJ Box ..he sucked me in and gave me the passion of reading books...n ver thought it could happen to me.:but it did.:the show doesn't align as close as the first book, but does it ever? .. I love the the character playing Joe..he is just as I pictured in my mind while reading:..I say keep running the series but put it on Netflix or Prime where people can have easy access to such a freaking fabulous CJ Box, Joe Pickett Series.
Silly but entertaining
bobetjo2 September 2023
Joe Picket is simultaneously engrossing, exciting and silly. Set in the Wyoming wilds, new game warden Joe manages to embarrass himself in his first week in town before accidentally interfering in a corrupt plot where every villain possible comes out the woodwork. Poor old Joe hasn't a clue what is happening as the bodies pile higher than Midsomer Murders. Meanwhile the sheriff doesn't want to know. The story, based on CJ Box's books doesn't stop moving. The acting is pantomime on occasion. But overall I enjoyed this. Several times there were convincing arguments for having hands free kits in the characters cars.
Wyoming!!
nvzsqv28 December 2021
I love this series. Yes the CGI is a little off. That's not the gist of the episode. I do have a problem with the accents. I am a Montanan and Wyoming sounds like us not the deep South. Grrr. The acting is decent especially from the wife and you can't beat the scenery even if it's in Alberta!!
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