Drifter: Lonesome Highway - Exclusive Preview
May 22, 2014
On May 13, 2014 the creator of Drifter: Broken Road, Jason Braiser, gave me access to an exclusive online preview the show’s second season called Drifter: Lonesome Highway. The post-apocalyptic web series feels much like an old-school western and a Civil War movie.
According to the show’s website this new season takes place four weeks after the previous, with the lead character Drifter still out for revenge. The preview of the first four episodes gave me a great feel for what Season 2 brings.
The first episode of the season sets the standard that’s followed throughout the four episodes. The series in itself is quite ambitious with lots of blood, guns, and various outdoor locations. The blood is great, and this is high praise from me considering my love for the horror genre. Guns in this show are great considering that there’s so many, along with the sound and visual FX properly executed. This is especially important in the later battle sequence at the camp.
But the one thing that got me about Drifter is the title character, and the other female characters that appear as the show progresses. First thing, these are more often strong female characters that only care about surviving the next battle. Drifter is the perfect example here. Not only is Drifter tough, strong, skilled and defies most traditional female conventions – her storyline also passes the Bechdel Test.
According to the show’s website this new season takes place four weeks after the previous, with the lead character Drifter still out for revenge. The preview of the first four episodes gave me a great feel for what Season 2 brings.
The first episode of the season sets the standard that’s followed throughout the four episodes. The series in itself is quite ambitious with lots of blood, guns, and various outdoor locations. The blood is great, and this is high praise from me considering my love for the horror genre. Guns in this show are great considering that there’s so many, along with the sound and visual FX properly executed. This is especially important in the later battle sequence at the camp.
But the one thing that got me about Drifter is the title character, and the other female characters that appear as the show progresses. First thing, these are more often strong female characters that only care about surviving the next battle. Drifter is the perfect example here. Not only is Drifter tough, strong, skilled and defies most traditional female conventions – her storyline also passes the Bechdel Test.
Now the fact that this story has an incredibly American South and Civil War feel makes this fact that much more of a triumph. For me, this series takes a storyline that historically (both fictionally and in reality) put women in second-class citizen roles that revolved around men. The three female characters that stand out to me here are Drifter, Mustang Sally, and Cassidy Roberts. For those who have trouble keeping track, the character bios on the show’s website are a great help.
All of these women may have conversations with men, but they’re characters are not about advancing a man’s storyline.
But let me get back to the series as a whole. The story is well written and develops well over the first four episodes. There are a lot of flashback scenes from Drifter that gives further context to her anger and determination. In a way this makes for several stories told at once, and give historical context with specific battles from the Second Civil War.
One problem I had with Drifter: Lonesome Highway is The Stranger character. I like the way the character is written, but the actor’s voice often sounds too monotone and falls flats in essential dialogue scenes. The Stranger is important to furthering Drifter’s storyline and for connecting more characters later on.
In the end I find the series has quite a few strengths, and the fourth episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m definitely eager to see more.
All of these women may have conversations with men, but they’re characters are not about advancing a man’s storyline.
But let me get back to the series as a whole. The story is well written and develops well over the first four episodes. There are a lot of flashback scenes from Drifter that gives further context to her anger and determination. In a way this makes for several stories told at once, and give historical context with specific battles from the Second Civil War.
One problem I had with Drifter: Lonesome Highway is The Stranger character. I like the way the character is written, but the actor’s voice often sounds too monotone and falls flats in essential dialogue scenes. The Stranger is important to furthering Drifter’s storyline and for connecting more characters later on.
In the end I find the series has quite a few strengths, and the fourth episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m definitely eager to see more.
