'1883' review: Rides tall in the saddle

Too late, Elsa learned why reading by candelight in a covered wagon was frowned upon. Photos: Handout

If 1883, the Yellowstone prequel limited series, had a subtitle, it must surely be A Million Ways To Die In The West.

Like that 2014 Seth MacFarlane Western comedy, 1883 deals a lot with death, which comes suddenly, without reason, and not caring if "deserve" has anything to do with it. Unlike that movie, however, there's nothing funny about dying on this show.