Let's be fair here. The plot sucks, most characters are as dimensional as cardboard coutouts and the anachronisms are as frequent as the political correctness. This show has no courage at all.
When it comes to the characters, I find some depth only in Sully and also, sometimes (surprisingly) in Hank. These guys actually get to evolve a little.
I stopped watching the show after the baby came. That's when it really really really starts to be a pukefest. If you want good western, throw this in the trash and visit your local videostore. There are plenty of good westerns out there.
To be honest: the only reason women watch this is because they think Sully is hot. The only reason men watch this is because women (inspired by dr Quinns women-rule-the-world attitude) force them to.
And I would also like to laugh at the gullible person who said that other races are actually played by actors of the right race! Did you forget Inga and the swedish settlers? I am swedish, and I can reveal that it's always embarrasing when the swedes are in the show. Their swedish sucks so much it's impossible to understand beyond a few words, it's translated incorrectly by the in-show interpretors and Inga's accent is simply a joke. Not that swedes and americans are different races, but they are certainly different peoples and the casting of the swedes certainly qualifies as a catastophe.