Longmire (2012 — 2017)

Longmire (2012–2017) is an American neo-Western crime drama that first aired on June 3, 2012, on the A&E network. Developed by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin, it is based on the Walt Longmire mysteries novels by Craig Johnson. The show follows the story of Walt Longmire, a sheriff in Wyoming who investigates major crimes within his jurisdiction with the help of his staff, friends, and daughter. Played by Robert Taylor, Longmire is the sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming. His longtime friend Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne, constantly provides insight and support in dealing with tribal police. However, as they delve deeper into their investigations, the group must also navigate issues surrounding gambling at a local casino and conflicting jurisdictional authority between protecting people and prosecuting crimes. These challenges often shed light on contemporary Native American life within the reservation boundaries where the story takes place.

Season 1. Walt’s grown daughter Cady worries that he has been stuck in a rut since her mother’s death. As Walt focuses on campaigning for re-election, he has left the majority of police work to Deputies Branch Connally and ‘The Ferg’. However, Branch is also running against Walt and is secretly involved with Cady. Another member of Walt’s team is Vic Moretti, who came from Philadelphia six months ago to work as a deputy. In flashbacks, both Walt and Henry make separate trips to Denver, Colorado, with Walt violently confronting someone in a meth house. Later, Denver Police Homicide Detective Fales visits Wyoming to discuss Cady’s mother’s death with Walt and Cady. To Cady’s shock, she learns that her mother was murdered despite being told she died from cancer by her father. Fales reveals they have found the suspect buried in a shallow grave and suspects either Walt or Henry are responsible for the murder.

Season 2. Cady travels to Denver and meets with Detective Fales regarding her mother’s murder. Fales shares the details with her and reveals that the suspected murderer is deceased. During their conversation, Cady accidentally reveals that her father trusts Henry Standing Bear, leading Fales to potentially explore this new lead. Meanwhile, Vic crosses paths with retired cop Ed Gorski from Philadelphia. They discuss Gorski’s deceased partner who was implicated in a corruption scandal by Vic, resulting in an internal-affairs investigation. Blaming Vic for his partner’s suicide, Gorski begins to stalk her. In fear for her safety, Vic turns to Henry for assistance and Walt intervenes by warning Gorski. The situation escalates when Gorski is severely beaten and evidence points to Hector, a Cheyenne mercenary hired by Henry. However, it is later revealed that Hector did not kill the murderer of Walt’s wife but only inflicted physical harm and took his teeth as trophies.

Season 3. As Branch recovers from his gunshot wound, he becomes convinced that David Ridges, a former Cheyenne believed to have died and been cremated, was the one who pulled the trigger. However, Walt and the others are skeptical of his theory and Branch takes it upon himself to investigate further. Meanwhile, Henry faces mistreatment in prison at the hands of other Native Americans, led by Malachi Strand, a former chief of police on the Cheyenne reservation. Malachi blames Henry for his arrest due to their friendship with Walt. When Malachi hinders Henry’s efforts to find legal representation, Cady steps in to help as his lawyer. With Henry out on bail, he is determined to prove his innocence while Malachi is also released and finds work as security for Jacob Nighthorse, a prominent Cheyenne businessman and developer. Both Branch and Henry uncover evidence suggesting Nighthorse’s involvement in their cases, with Ridges being a key player. Walt begins to suspect Nighthorse’s connection to his wife’s murder and decides to temporarily suspend Branch because of his obsession with Ridges. Barlow takes over caring for him during this time

Season 4. When Walt, Vic, and Ferg find a disturbing typewritten note on Branch’s home computer, they set out to find him. A shotgun shell has soil in it, suggesting that it had been ejected after firing and replaced in the gun. Walt finds him dead in a river from what appears to have been a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

Season 5. After the traumatic kidnapping and injury of Donna, Walt launches a determined pursuit to find the culprit responsible. Despite these trying circumstances, Walt and Donna’s relationship continues to blossom. As Nighthorse grows more suspicious of Malachi’s activities, he begins to suspect that the scheming casino owner may be involved in illegal dealings. Chief of Police Mathias makes a surprising discovery when he uncovers Henry’s secret role as a vigilante taking over Hector’s duties. The Ferg finds romance with a local nurse, while Walt uncovers a heroin operation run by the Irish mob within his jurisdiction. In his ongoing effort to keep the peace, Walt successfully apprehends their enforcer Eddie Harp. Unfortunately, this operation takes a dangerous turn for Archie when he is held at gunpoint while delivering Eddie to the FBI. In another challenging situation, Walt must defend himself in a wrongful-death suit that threatens not only his possessions but also his career. Vic receives unexpected news when she learns she is pregnant, but is unsure whether her ex-boyfriend Eamonn or Branch’s friend Travis is the father after their drunken one-night stand.

Season 6. In the first episode, Henry is held captive by Malachi and his gang on the Crow reservation. With the assistance of the Crow medicine woman, Walt is able to rescue him before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Walt also looks into a bank robbery with unusual elements. He remains suspicious of Jacob Nighthorse for his involvement in Henry’s kidnapping, but their mutual fear of Malachi leads to a reconciliation. As a result, Jacob agrees to turn over evidence of Malachi’s illegal activities to the FBI. In the midst of all this, Walt learns that Vic is expecting a baby. However, things take a dangerous turn when Vic is shot while trying to locate an escaped criminal named Chance. Another mysterious figure known as ‘Hector’ causes trouble by causing Jacob and Henry’s car accident. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Walt’s civil trial takes an unexpected turn when Tucker Baggett (attorney for the plaintiff) is killed and Walt becomes a prime suspect. In this heated moment, Vic attempts suicide out of despair. The recent passing of Lucian Connally (Walt’s former mentor and Barlow Connally’s brother) adds even more turmoil as Walt contemplates retirement.