This Western series really is a 10/10 masterpiece - but one thing left me furious

The word masterpiece often gets thrown around when describing Western series, but I believe this is the only way to describe Scott Frank's Godless. As someone who doesn't usually gravitate toward Westerns, I didn't expect to become hooked so quickly.

The plot was perfectly layered, with a mix of grit, emotion and slow-burn tension throughout every episode. But it was how the story unfolded which kept me gripped. Set in 1884, Godless follows the story of Roy Goode (Jack O'Connell), a former protege of the notorious Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) who is on the run after growing tiresome of his old boss' crimes.

A wounded Roy stumbles across a ranch just outside the town of La Belle, inhabited primarily by women following a mining accident which claimed the lives of almost all the men. Roy takes refuge with tough widower Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery). Despite Alice shooting Roy, who she thought was an intruder, in the neck, it's not long before she realises he is a good man. The pair strike up a deal - Roy will break Alice's horses if she teaches him how to read and write.

The next few episodes depict Roy's growing bonding with Alice and her son Truckee (Samuel Marty). While their story progresses, Frank is on the hunt to find Roy, slaughtering anyone he believes is even associated with him. Terrifying but in the best way, Daniels' performance is simply captivating.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to the characters who inhabit the old mining town, including Bill McNue (Scoot McNairy), the sheriff who is slowly going blind, Whitey Winn (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), the earnest and brave deputy sheriff, and Mary Agnes McNue (Merrit Wever), the tough, no-nonsense widow of La Belle's late major and Bill's sister.

It was clear from the get-go that at least one of these characters wouldn't survive the wrath brought upon La Belle by Frank Griffin and his men once they learned Roy was there.

But nothing could have prepared me for the how - I still feel the anger thinking about it now. As Frank and his gang arrive in La Belle, Whitey steps out with two guns in his hand, prepared for an almighty fight. Moments later, Whitey is struck with a knife to the chest before even firing a shot.

And just like that, he's gone. No duel, just a simple end that left me in disbelief. I was rooting for Whitey to finally get his moment and reunite with Louise (Jessica Sula) once the battle was over. But instead, we watch her kiss him on the head after discovering his lifeless body.

Whitey's death aside, there is no denying that Godless was sensational, with the final gun fight living up to every expectation that I had. Things come somewhat full circle near the end of the final episode, when Roy finds Truckee with Frank, who suggests he could step in as his new father. Roy pulls Truckee away from Frank and the two embark on an old-fashioned wild west shoot-out.

Thankfully, Roy is the one who comes out on top, but even without Frank as a threat, his time in La Belle must come to an end. After reading a letter from his brother, Roy rides to California to reunite with him like he always planned.

Although every part of me wanted Roy to live happily with Alice and Truckee, it was the right move for him to leave. As Roy embarks on his new journey, it is revealed he left Alice the money he stole from Frank. The money is accompanied by a hand-written note from Roy which says 'thank you', showcasing that he was finally express his gratitude for everything Alice did for him.

The final scenes in Godless deliver an emotional and satisfying conclusion and it's safe to say the series as a whole is a 10/10 masterpiece.