Netflix’s The Abandons has quickly become one of the most talked-about Western dramas, captivating audiences with its story of two powerful widowed matriarchs clashing over land in the 1850s Washington Territory.
The show’s central conflict, set against the backdrop of the American frontier, is brought to life through stunning visuals and gripping storytelling. However, viewers may be surprised to learn that the series was almost entirely shot in Alberta, Canada, with Calgary serving as the main production hub.
The sweeping plains, rugged terrain, and wide-open skies just outside the city provided the perfect canvas for the show’s frontier towns, requiring minimal digital enhancement to look authentic.
The production team made a deliberate choice to film in southern Alberta, drawn by its vast open spaces, long dirt roads, and historic towns that mirror the look and feel of the American West. Calgary’s surrounding areas, including Crossfield and Cochrane, were transformed into the fictional Angel Ridge, the central town of the series.
These locations were chosen not only for their visual appeal but also for the logistical advantages of filming in Canada, where crews can work on real sets with fewer restrictions and greater access to support services.
Indigenous Land and Authentic Casting
A standout aspect of The Abandons’ production was its commitment to authenticity, especially in its portrayal of Indigenous communities. The show was filmed on Indigenous lands, particularly in the Stoney Nakoda region west of Calgary.
Casting calls were specifically held in this area to recruit Indigenous extras, ensuring that scenes involving local communities reflected the true spirit of the frontier. This approach helped the series avoid the pitfalls of stereotypical representation, offering a more respectful and nuanced depiction of life in the West.
The Nakoda Lakeside Lodge in Mînî Thnî, a remote village on land belonging to the Nakoda First Nation, became the set for the Abandons Ranch, where Fiona Nolan and her adoptive children live and work.
This location was chosen for its natural beauty and cultural significance, allowing the production team to create a setting that felt both authentic and respectful.
The Van Ness mansion, central to the series’ dramatic finale, was constructed at Stoney Park Campgrounds, located just across the Bow River from Mînî Thnî. The proximity to Calgary and the area’s natural beauty made it an ideal location for both intimate family scenes and large-scale action sequences.
The production team also utilized Kananaskis Country, known for its stunning mountain views and rough landscapes, to capture the epic scope of the show. These diverse settings helped to convey the vastness of the frontier and the isolation faced by the characters.
By filming on real ranches and in natural environments, the series was able to avoid the artificial look that sometimes plagues Westerns shot on studio lots.
Production Challenges and Creative Decisions
Filming The Abandons was not without its hurdles. The project was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, pushing principal photography to spring 2024. The five-month shoot required careful coordination, especially as showrunner Kurt Sutter left the project before filming wrapped , reportedly due to creative differences.
The Abandons (Credit: Netflix)
Despite these challenges, the cast and crew praised the Alberta locations for their versatility and the quality of local support, including restaurants and production facilities.
The series also filmed some scenes in Oregon, USA, to capture the gritty and rugged landscape of the American frontier. However, the bulk of the production remained in Alberta, where the natural scenery and established Western sets provided everything needed to bring the story to life.
The use of real ranches, such as the CL Ranch, allowed for diverse settings spanning the 1850s to the 1930s, enriching the show’s historical authenticity.
The decision to film in Alberta also had financial and logistical benefits. Canada offers generous tax incentives for film production, making it an attractive destination for international projects.
The local film industry in Calgary is well-developed, with experienced crews and state-of-the-art facilities that can support large-scale productions. This allowed The Abandons to maintain high production values while staying within budget.
The Impact of Location on Storytelling
The choice of filming location has a profound impact on the storytelling in The Abandons. By leveraging Alberta’s dramatic landscapes and engaging with local communities, Netflix has created a Western drama that feels both authentic and visually stunning.
The natural scenery provides a sense of scale and isolation that enhances the show’s themes of survival, conflict, and resilience. The use of real ranches and Indigenous lands adds depth to the narrative, grounding the story in a specific place and time.
As the series looks ahead to a potential second season, fans can expect more of the same breathtaking scenery and compelling drama, rooted in the real frontier of Canada’s wild west.
The Abandons stands as a testament to the power of location in storytelling, proving that the right setting can elevate a series from mere entertainment to a truly immersive experience.
The third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been celebrated for its adventurous spirit and genre-bending episodes, but the installment titled “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” proved to be a lightning rod for fan criticism.
This episode took a bold approach, transforming Captain Pike and several crew members into Vulcans to save a planet from ecological disaster.
The premise offered a unique opportunity to explore the contrast between human emotion and Vulcan logic, but the execution leaned heavily into comedic situations that left many fans feeling uncomfortable.
In “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans,” the Enterprise crew grapples with their newfound logic, emotional suppression, and the social awkwardness that comes with being a Vulcan in a human world.
The episode is packed with moments meant to amuse, such as Pike becoming “the most Vulcan Vulcan” and Spock facing mockery for his half-human heritage.
However, the humor often felt directed at Vulcans rather than shared with them, turning the crew’s transformation into a source of ridicule rather than a thoughtful exploration of identity.
Many viewers felt that the episode crossed a line, making the Vulcans appear as caricatures rather than the dignified, logical beings that have been central to Star Trek’s legacy.
The exaggerated behaviors and slapstick moments seemed out of place, especially when compared to the nuanced portrayal of Vulcans in previous series. Critics argued that the episode’s jokes were forced, relying on visual gags and over-the-top scenarios that did not align with the depth and complexity of Vulcan culture.
What’s at Stake for Star Trek’s Legacy
Star Trek has always balanced humor and drama, but the franchise’s most beloved moments arise from subtle, dry wit rather than overt silliness. The original series and The Next Generation featured Spock’s deadpan jokes, which were rooted in his character’s internal struggle between logic and emotion.
Strange New Worlds’ attempt to mine comedy from the Vulcan persona, however, sometimes felt more like parody than homage.
This episode’s approach raised important questions about how much the franchise can change without losing its essence.
Some fans pointed out that while Strange New Worlds is known for its playful tone, “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” seemed to prioritize laughs over character depth, missing a chance to use the premise for meaningful exploration of identity and logic.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 (Credit: Amazon Prime Video)
The writers tried to justify the crew’s transformation with technobabble, but the underlying message that Vulcans are inherently “jerks” when logic overrides empathy did not sit well with viewers who value the complexity of Vulcan culture.
The episode’s humor also sparked debate about the broader implications for Star Trek’s legacy. For decades, the franchise has used its characters to explore philosophical questions, ethical dilemmas, and the human condition.
When comedy becomes the main focus, especially at the expense of character authenticity, it risks undermining the very themes that make Star Trek special.
Many fans felt that “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” missed an opportunity to examine the real challenges of suppressing emotions or grappling with the ethical dilemmas that come with Vulcan logic.
Character Growth vs. Comedy
Season 3 of Strange New Worlds has continued to deepen its characters, with Spock’s arc focusing on his ongoing struggle to balance his human and Vulcan sides.
The show has been praised for giving Spock’s emotional journey the attention it deserves, but “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” felt like a step backward for some fans.
The episode could have been an opportunity to examine how logic and emotion interact under pressure, but instead, it leaned heavily on visual gags and exaggerated behavior.
Many viewers hoped to see the crew confront the real challenges of suppressing emotions or grappling with the ethical dilemmas that come with Vulcan logic.
Instead, the episode prioritized fast-paced comedy, leaving deeper character development on the sidelines. For fans who appreciate Star Trek’s thoughtful storytelling, this shift was disappointing, especially when compared to episodes that have used humor to enhance, rather than undermine, the show’s philosophical themes.
Strange New Worlds continues to be one of the most exciting entries in the Star Trek universe, but its willingness to experiment with tone means that not every risk pays off.
The show’s creators have proven they can deliver thrilling adventures and heartfelt drama, but “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” reminds us that comedy in Star Trek works best when it respects the franchise’s legacy and the depth of its characters.
As the series moves forward, fans will be watching closely to see whether future episodes can strike the right balance between humor and authenticity, honoring the spirit of Star Trek while pushing the boundaries of what the franchise can be.
