I am enjoying 1883. The show exemplifies the difficulties that pioneers experienced heading westward back in those days. It is difficult today in modern times to imagine how much of a hardship it was to cross the plains and mountains under terribly harsh conditions. People back then had to be tough or they would die.
If you are interested in other stories similar to 1883 there was an older miniseries that I loved called "Centennial". It can be watched on the Starz channel now. It is a tale that spans from 18th century American frontier to the year 1978 in Colorado. The story starts billions of years ago as the Earth was forming and the how the area of Colorado's environment developed. Next the story goes on to an Indian tribesman teaching his young son about the ways of nature and man's relationship to it. This occurs during a time before the appearance of white people. Then shortly thereafter time advances several decades and introduces a great character named Pasquinel, who is a French Canadian fur trapper. He is the first white man to contact the local tribes and he manages to open up trade with the tribes. Later the migration begins to the area. There are Indian wars, cattle drives, scandals, modernization, tragedy, and beauty as well, as the story progresses. The series ends up in contemporary times but with always an influence linked from the past. Centennial is filled with great actors. A truly remarkable series that gives you a sense of the adventure of discovery.
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