Ep 1. Pilot

The Young Riders is a western drama television series that portrays the lives of a group of young Pony Express riders in the late 1800s. This series was aired for three seasons and produced by Ed Spielman.

The Pilot episode started with the introduction of the main characters. The audience is introduced to the lead character Buck Cross, played by Josh Brolin, who is a hot-headed, impulsive cowboy trying to find his place in the world. He meets up with a fellow rider, Ike McSwain portrayed by Gregg Rainwater, and they both join a group of young riders, all with their unique stories.

These riders work for the Pony Express, a government service consisting of young men who deliver mail across the challenging Western terrain. Each rider is responsible for a relay station, where they must bring in the mail received from the previous rider and maintain the station before passing the mail on to the next rider. Along the way, they must deal with harsh weather conditions, treacherous terrain, and bandits.

The riders are seen working tirelessly under extreme conditions while maintaining their sense of humor. Lou played by Yvonne Suhor, is the only female rider who takes on both her male colleagues and the societal expectations of her gender.

The audience is taken through the challenges that the riders face on their journey. An extreme snowstorm, incursion into Indian territories, and run-ins with horse thieves; all contribute to make the journey of the young riders arduous.

The Pilot introduces the audience to the Pony Express Station where all the riders report to. The Pony Express owners, partners, and bosses are also introduced. Clay, played by Stephen Baldwin, is the stationmaster and father figure for most of the riders. Teaspoon Hunter, played by Anthony Zerbe, is the overall boss or superintendent of the Pony Express. He is strict but caring, and he uses his position to mentor all the riders.

In this episode, viewers also learn about the riders' personal lives and the challenges they face. Kid, played by Ty Miller, is revealed to be a married man on the run from his wife's family. He is the most optimistic of the riders and looks up to Teaspoon as a father.

Emma Shannon, played by Brett Cullen, is introduced as the owner of the station in Rock Creek where the riders stop. She is a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself. Her character is the love interest of Teaspoon.

Throughout the episode, the storyline builds up and it culminates in an exciting climax. In a surprise attack, the Pony Express station is raided by bandits. The young riders are put to the test as they must quickly come together to protect Emma's daughter and save the station.

The Pilot episode sets the stage for a drama that highlights the thrills and challenges of the Wild West. It delivers a punch to the audience as it tackles social and gender issues among many others that plague society then and now.

The Young Riders season 1 episode 1, Pilot is the perfect introduction to a western drama series that will keep viewers engaged and thrilled. The episode introduces the strong characters, captivating storylines, as well as the stunning landscape and intricacies of Wild West life. Viewers who enjoy action, adventure, and drama will love this series.