Lioness Is Completely Ridiculous, and That’s Exactly Why I Love It

I’m a sucker for any of Taylor Sheridan’s shows. Even his weakest have redeeming qualities because they’re never boring.

I’m currently making my way through Lioness Season 2, and I’m getting whiplash from all of the twists and turns.

The show tackles serious storylines but constantly throws in insane twists that I never see coming because they’re so freaking random.

It’s definitely one of those shows that you have to see to believe, and frankly, I can’t stop watching.

Lioness Season 1 had its fair share of wild moments, but it worked because the emotional stakes were so high.

I’m surprised the series has managed to rack up an A-list cast like Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, and Zoe Saldaña because it feels like the type of project that agents would tell their talent to avoid.

But this is a Taylor Sheridan vehicle after all.

He’s made a career out of creating sprawling worlds that barely have time to breathe because there’s always another twist, another crisis, or another impossible situation waiting around the corner.

That’s the Taylor Sheridan formula. His shows can be messy, but they’re rarely boring, and there’s always something ridiculous enough happening to keep you invested.

Lioness Has Some Great Characters

I can’t deny that Lioness Season 2 is, so far, a disappointment compared to Lioness Season 1.

Watching Cruz immerse herself in Aaliyah’s world and the danger that came with that was far more intriguing than what the follow-up chapter has delivered.

That said, I appreciate that the show is willing to switch things up because it could have easily repeated the same formula and been much worse.

This is not to say Lioness Season 2 is bad. It has simply embraced the ridiculous storytelling that makes the series so addictive.

Every episode feels like it should make me stop watching, but somehow, I end up hitting “next episode” anyway.

Speaking of ridiculous moments, there was one scene from Lioness Season 1 that perfectly encapsulated how wild this show actually is.

It featured Neal being told while performing surgery that his daughter had been involved in a car crash and was on her way to the hospital.

I know the other surgeon was on hand to step in, but the idea that someone would interrupt surgery while a patient is literally on the table was one of those moments where I had to question whether the show knew how hospitals actually worked.

Suspending Disbelief is the Only Way to Enjoy Taylor Sheridan Shows

I’ve been conditioned by The CW to suspend my disbelief while watching my favorite TV shows, but that was absolutely ludicrous.

The entire storyline that followed was ludicrous, too.

And yet, somehow, Lioness makes these moments work.

I don’t think the show would have registered in its current form if it didn’t have this cast.

Everyone is so committed to selling these storylines that somehow the ridiculous moments become part of the appeal rather than something that takes you out of the experience.

The biggest flaw is that Lioness has assembled a ridiculously talented ensemble but doesn’t always give everyone enough material to justify their presence.

Jill Wagner, who I recently learned is also a co-creator, is a perfect example.

She’s an important part of the show’s foundation, but she doesn’t get nearly enough to do.

Seriously, give every character more of an even playing field.

There’s no need to have such a talented ensemble if the actors aren’t being challenged.

Lioness isn’t going to win any awards for realism.

It isn’t interested in subtle storytelling, and it certainly isn’t afraid to make choices that leave viewers scratching their heads.

But somehow, that’s exactly why it works.

Taylor Sheridan has created a show where I can spend an entire episode questioning the logic of what’s happening, only to immediately start the next one.

And honestly? That’s a skill in itself.

What are your thoughts on Lioness? Do you think it’s too ridiculous to watch, or are you along for this ride?

Lioness Season 3 debuts Sunday, August 2, on Paramount+, and you better believe we’ll be breaking it down in all of its ridiculous glory.

Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.

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