Netflix’s Territory is a story about family feuds, power struggles, and survival in the Australian outback. It looks great and has beautiful scenery, but it’s not very original and the characters aren’t well-developed. Let’s see what else happens in the series and if it is worth a watch.

A Familiar Tale of Power Struggles and Family Conflict

The series is set in the Northern Territory and follows the Lawson family, fifth-generation cattle ranchers who operate the fictional Marianne Station. The ranch, roughly the size of Belgium, serves as the core of their dominion, but like with every kingdom, internal and external factors threaten its security.

A Familiar Tale of Power Struggles and Family Conflict
Credits: Netflix

Patriarch Colin Lawson (Robert Taylor) is a hard-nosed, authoritarian person who wields an iron hand. His family, on the other hand, is fragmented, with everyone striving for dominance following the untimely death of Colin’s youngest son Daniel (Jake Ryan), who was the assumed heir.

The main plot revolves around these internal power struggles, as well as the exterior challenges posed by competing ranchers, mining billionaires, and the Traditional Owners of the Land—Australia’s Indigenous people, who have a stake in what happens to Marianne Station. This combination of modern business maneuvering, familial disagreement, and cultural strain results in a complex web of conflict.

Australian Scenery and Culture Add Authenticity but Can’t Save the Plot

The territory is sometimes likened to Yellowstone because both shows revolve around powerful families preserving their property and history. Territory stands out for its Australian setting, which adds a new depth of grit and authenticity to the story, featuring stunning scenery and the country’s unique cultural and political dynamics.

The wide landscapes, deadly fauna, and Aboriginal land rights lend the series a particular Australian flavor, adding complexity for those unfamiliar with the region.

The show does not shy away from exposing the hardships of living in this harsh climate, with scenes of cattle ranching and savage power struggles set against a backdrop of red land and boundless skies.

Australian Scenery and Culture Add Authenticity but Can't Save the Plot
Credits: Netflix

However, Territory falls short when it comes to creating something truly unique. The plots feel recycled from other family dramas, with predictable twists and turns that most viewers will anticipate.

The drama relies largely on tired clichés like inheritance conflicts, toxic masculinity, and drunkenness, without providing fresh viewpoints on these topics. While the Australian setting is wonderfully photographed and lends some appeal, it cannot totally compensate for the series’ dependence on conventional story beats.

Strong Visuals, Weak Characters: Territory’s Missed Potential

The Lawson family is a dysfunctional one, and much of the drama arises from internal tensions. Colin is a controlling father who considers his relatives unworthy of the family legacy. His eldest son, Graham (Michael Dorman), is a damaged man who turned to alcohol following the death of his first wife.

Meanwhile, his second wife, Emily (Anna Torv), comes from a family with a history of livestock theft, which heightens the tension. Their daughter, Susie (Philippa Northeast), is ready to take over the ranch but is rejected by Colin owing to her gender.

Strong Visuals, Weak Characters: Territory's Missed Potential
Credits: Netflix

Despite the diverse character interactions, many of the characters seem one-dimensional. Colin, in particular, is a parody of toxic masculinity, with predictable reasons. Graham’s drinking is portrayed in a clichéd manner, while Emily’s character is underdeveloped, leaving her potential mostly untapped.

Even the show’s more engaging characters, such as Indigenous rancher Nolan (Clarence Ryan), feel underutilized, which is regrettable given the series’ efforts to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into the story.

One of the series’ highlights is its emphasis on presenting Australia’s distinct culture and accent. The speech contains Australian slang and cattle ranching jargon, which may be difficult for overseas audiences to understand but lends authenticity to the play.

The characters occasionally provide moments of droll Australian humor, particularly Emily’s brother Hank (Dan Wyllie), whose antics add lightness to an otherwise bleak story.

How Is It Overall?

However, the overall tone of Territory might be erratic. The show alternates between deep family drama, theatrical love triangles, and action-packed moments, occasionally struggling to create a consistent narrative voice. The stakes are great, with property conflicts, corporate takeovers, and familial betrayals all in play, yet the pacing is often slow, especially in the middle episodes.

Territory has a striking visual appeal. McLean’s direction makes outstanding use of the Northern Territory’s breathtaking vistas, including sweeping drone shots that capture the vastness of the outback. These landscapes provide as a visual metaphor for the Lawsons’ isolation and peril, both from outside dangers and within their own family.

Unfortunately, while the show’s visuals are impressive, the plot lacks the same level of inventiveness. The plot points are predictable, and the love triangles, power struggles, and inheritance disputes feel overly familiar.

While Territory attempts to incorporate Indigenous land rights and local culture into the plot, these components are not developed in enough depth to have a long-term influence.

Also Read: This Is the Zodiac Speaking Netflix Review

Conclusion

Territory is a well-produced, visually appealing series that explores the intricacies of life in the Australian outback. However, it struggles to emerge from the shadow of predecessors such as Yellowstone and Succession.

With predictable plotlines and weak characters, the show is amusing but falls short of becoming truly memorable. Fans of family dramas and Westerns could find plenty to keep them interested, but those looking for anything more unique may be disappointed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Alpha Males Season 3 Review: Netflix’s Comedy Hit Continues to Dazzle

Alpha Males on Netflix is one of the funniest Spanish series on…

Unsolved Mysteries Volume 5 Review: A Polarizing Shift from True Crime to the Paranormal

With its fifth volume, Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries makes a spectacular return, fusing…

English Teacher Episode 1-2 Recap

English Teacher begins with a terrific two-part premiere, establishing itself as a…

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 Episode 6 Recap: Bri vs. Ellie

Bri believed Ellie was using her position to humiliate her in “Below…