The miniseries adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s epic western tale came to a conclusion on 8 February, 1989.

Montana has been reached, but there are still a number of trials and tribulations to deal with before the end of the story, the biggest of which centers around our central heroes, the former Texas Rangers, Call (Tommy Lee Jones) and Gus (Robert Duvall).

Newt (Ricky Schroder) struggles with accepting that Call is his father, something that is true, but remains unspoken between Call and the young man.

Gus ends up with the worst of it. The novel is forty years old; are spoilers still a thing? If so, skip the next couple of paragraphs.

Gus ends up on the wrong side of some arrows when he encounters some of the indigenous population. With some help is able to make it to a town, and Call comes to his bedside, but Gus has lost one leg, and if they don’t take the other, he’s done for. He refuses, of course, and pens letters for both Lorie (Diane Lane) and Clara (Angelica Huston), which Call agrees to deliver.

There’s a nice touch to the series, which isn’t in the book: Call is there when Gus passes, and the emotions on Jones’ face are really nicely played out.

But now, Call has made a promise to take Gus all the way back to Texas for burial, after the winter. So first, Call is going to have to get all his people settled, build a ranch, maybe take some joy in watching his son, and give him more responsibilities (at a cost), even if he never claims him, and he takes time to see Montana.

Then, the long journey home, and goodbyes. Call stops at Clara’s to deliver letters on his way back to Texas, and the scenes are beautifully done. Diane Lane simply captivates. Each cast member is perfect in their roles, and I love this incarnation of them.

Call’s journey isn’t without incident, but it does show the depth of their friendship and the strength of a promise. And its cost. It’s a great sequence.

As the episode ends, Call realizes the West, as he knew it, is gone, and it’s a bit of a heartbreaking realization as the credits roll.

Simon Wincer directed the entire series, and it looks and works great, and William D. Witliff’s adaptation of the novel is solid. There’s a nice score by Basil Poledouris. The miniseries won much acclaim and awards, and it is worthy of it all. It’s a wonderfully made adaptation and is incredibly entertaining.

What a great watch.