Lonesome Dove Has a Sequel Everyone Forgot: It Streams for Free & Is Actually Canon
I can't believe this sequel doesn't even have an RT score. Today is a great time to give this one some love. And no, it's not the unofficial Return to Lonesome Dove.
I love me some good old Western where the simple beauty of good versus evil plays out against stunning backgrounds and where the “show don't tell” principle is actually honored. And while I do love all Westerns, there's something truly magical that modern ones just can't quite replicate.
Lonesome Dove, for example, is still the undisputed champion of TV Westerns, and I haven't seen any modern project give me that same feeling of authenticity and emotion. This is the kind of story that makes you forget about yourself and your problems for the entire time you are watching it.
However, recently it has come to my attention that some people who appreciate Lonesome Dove have no idea this classic has a sequel. Yes, it might not have the same legendary status as its predecessor, but is seriously overlooked.
Streets of Laredo (1995) Is Still Worth Watching Even 30 Years Later
If you're wondering what Streets of Laredo is all about, it's basically a continuation of the Lonesome Dove saga, following our boy Captain Call (played by James Garner this time around) in his later years. When a wealthy baron hires him to track down Joey Garza (a new killer), Call prepares for one last ride.
Unlike the unofficial sequel Return to Lonesome Dove, which wasn't authorized by Larry McMurtry, Streets of Laredo is the real deal. It's actually based on McMurtry's own novel and keeps that same gritty, authentic vibe we all loved in the original. Sure, it might've taken some creative liberties but it's natural with adaptations like this.
The cast is seriously stacked too. Besides James Garner, we've got Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard and Ned Beatty all doing a great job.
Streets of Laredo Doesn’t Miss a Thing... Except Recognition
The strangest part of this isn't just that Streets of Laredo got overlooked, it's how completely it vanished from public memory. When I recently went digging through reviews hoping to validate my childhood memories, I found something shocking: no score and zero discussion on Rotten Tomatoes. It's as if this masterpiece didn't exist at all.
This almost feels criminal, especially considering how the series maintains the high standards set by its predecessor.
So if you've worn out your copy of Lonesome Dove or you're just in the mood for a Western that hits all the right notes, Streets of Laredo will be right up your alley. It streams on The CW and Plex completely free of charge. Please give it some love.
