Taylor Sheridan's 'The Madison' Struggles in New York

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In the back half of Taylor Sheridan's latest Paramount+ drama 'The Madison', the show follows Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer) as she tries to make sense of her life after the death of her husband Preston (Kurt Russell). Stacy returns to New York, where she and Preston lived, and seeks the help of a therapist, Dr. Phil Yorn (Will Arnett). However, Sheridan's apparent disdain for city life undermines the character's journey, as the script leans into clichés about the perils of urban existence.

Why it matters

Sheridan's work, including 'Yellowstone' and now 'The Madison', has established him as a leading voice in contemporary prestige television. How he handles Stacy's grief and transition in the second half of the season will be seen as a test of his ability to craft nuanced, thoughtful character arcs, even as he indulges in his preference for rural settings and suspicion of urban life.

The details

After the death of her husband Preston, Stacy Clyburn returns to their shared home in New York City, seeking the help of therapist Dr. Phil Yorn (Will Arnett). However, Stacy is hostile and resistant to Yorn's methods, viewing him as out of touch compared to the cowboy healer Cade Harris (Kevin Zegers) she encountered in Montana. The script leans heavily into caricatures of New York life, from Stacy being assaulted on the street to struggling to find 'real' milk at a coffee shop, undermining the character's emotional journey.

• Stacy Clyburn returns to New York City halfway through episode 5 of the season.
• Stacy has her first therapy session with Dr. Yorn in episode 5.
• Stacy has a second, more hostile session with Dr. Yorn after her husband's memorial in New York.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Stacy wakes up passed out by her husband's grave in Montana, where Cade Harris finds and helps her, hinting that any real healing for her character will happen back in the rural setting, away from the city.