Territory Review: Family Feuds and Power Plays, but Lacks the Thrill

In Netflix’s new Australian family drama Territory, the Lawson family struggles to maintain control over their vast cattle property, Marianne Station, amid rising tensions and internal conflicts. But while the setup promises a gripping tale of power, legacy, and betrayal, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The series has 6 episodes, each with a runtime of around 55 minutes.

-No Spoilers-

Territory Review

The title Territory hints at land disputes and battles for dominance—think gritty struggles in the harsh Australian outback. Unfortunately, despite its promising premise, the series doesn’t quite achieve the gripping drama it aspires to be. Instead of being a compelling family saga, this series leans heavily on well-worn tropes, and its characters and storyline lack the depth needed to stand out.

The series focuses on the powerful Lawson family, led by Colin Lawson (Robert Taylor), the gruff and domineering patriarch who’s set in his ways. His son Graham (Michael Dorman) struggles with both his father’s disapproval and his own failings, making for a predictable storyline of an underdog seeking redemption. The familial drama is compounded when external forces, like rival businessman Campbell Miller (Jay Ryan), and Sandra Kirby (Sara Wiseman), who’s staking a claim to Lawson land, enter the fray.

From the moment Territory was announced, comparisons to Yellowstone and Succession were inevitable, given its themes of family power struggles and ruthless politics. I haven’t watched Yellowstone, so I went in without the baggage of comparisons, but this series still didn’t manage to carve out its own identity. Instead, it relies on overused tropes without adding much originality or depth. The storyline is something we’ve seen before—a neglected son trying to earn his father’s approval, a family business teetering on collapse, and internal feuds heightened by external threats.

Even Anna Torv’s Emily Lawson, who acts as the voice of reason in the midst of the family’s turmoil, isn’t given much to work with. I was left wanting more from her character, who could have added a compelling layer to the family’s internal dynamics.

Visually, Territory makes the most of its stunning Australian setting. The sprawling landscapes and panoramic shots create an atmosphere that’s both harsh and majestic, perfectly reflecting the family’s predicament. However, while the cinematography sets the scene well, the storyline struggles to match its intensity. The pacing feels off, with the series dragging in places and rushing through others, making it hard to stay invested in the family’s power struggle.

The family drama is central to the storyline, but it never reaches the tension or intrigue that the premise suggests. The conflicts between the Lawsons are predictable, and the external threats, like Campbell and Sandra, feel more like plot devices than genuine challenges. Even the external power plays—such as Campbell trying to wrest control of the Federation from Colin—lack the bite to make them engaging. The stakes never feel as high as they should, and the backstabbing moments don’t land with the impact I was hoping for.

Despite its attempts to delve into themes of legacy, betrayal, and family loyalty, Territory remains frustratingly superficial. The writing doesn’t explore the characters’ motivations deeply enough to create genuine intrigue, and many of the conflicts feel too formulaic. By the end, I was left feeling underwhelmed rather than on the edge of my seat.

The Territory has all the elements for a thrilling family drama, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The series struggles to find its footing between the weight of family dynamics and external threats, resulting in a story that feels both predictable and unfocused. The stellar cast, led by Anna Torv and Robert Taylor, does its best with the material, but their efforts can’t quite save a series that feels like it’s treading familiar ground without adding anything new.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, while Territory has its moments and boasts a beautiful setting, it fails to deliver the tension and excitement that a story about power and legacy demands. For me, it was not a great watch. There are flashes of potential, but the lack of depth and compelling drama keeps it from being a standout series. If you’re in the mood for a sprawling family saga with breathtaking visuals, it might be worth a watch. But if you’re looking for something that keeps you on your toes and delivers unexpected twists, you might want to look elsewhere.

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