Broken Trail is a two-part Western drama that follows the journey of Prentice “Print” Ritter, an aging cowboy, and his estranged nephew Tom Harte as they drive a herd of horses across the American Northwest in the 1890s. Print, played by Robert Duvall, is a man of quiet dignity and deep moral conviction, determined to make one last meaningful venture before his time is up. Tom, portrayed by Thomas Haden Church, is hardened by personal loss and initially distant, but gradually begins to rediscover his humanity through the journey.

The story begins when Print arrives in Oregon to recruit Tom for a horse drive to Wyoming, where they plan to sell their herd to the British Army. Along the way, their path crosses with a grim reality: five young Chinese girls who have been sold into prostitution and are being transported by a group of ruthless men. Appalled by the situation, Print and Tom rescue the girls and take them under their protection, a choice that complicates their journey but ultimately gives it deeper purpose.

As they travel across rough terrain, the bond between the men and the girls slowly strengthens. Tom, who starts the journey emotionally closed off, begins to form a quiet connection with one of the girls, Sun Fu, while Print takes on a fatherly role for the entire group. The men teach the girls basic English, horseback riding, and survival skills, offering them not only safety but dignity—something the world had previously denied them.

The threat of violence follows closely behind. The villains—desperate for revenge and profit—pursue Print and Tom, leading to deadly confrontations. These moments of tension are counterbalanced by quiet scenes of humanity, where the characters find trust, courage, and compassion in each other. The West is portrayed not as a lawless wasteland, but as a landscape where personal honor defines a man more than his gun.

As the journey nears its end, the characters arrive not only at their physical destination but also at moments of personal transformation. Tom opens himself to love and responsibility, while Print faces his mortality with a sense of peace, having lived by the values he believes in. The girls, once seen as commodities, are now seen as individuals with futures and hope.

Broken Trail is more than a Western—it’s a deeply human story about redemption, responsibility, and the bonds we choose to form along the trail. Through quiet strength and enduring courage, the series honors the spirit of those who protected the vulnerable in an unforgiving land.