This was an interesting experience for me. I was not aware that this was part 1 of 4 when I began watching. I'm sure like many others, after finishing, I searched online to get a better grip of what happened during the ending montage. I watched all my favorite characters live (and die?) through major plot developments all within 10 min. My initial instinct (ing I didn't know there were sequels!) was that possibly Costner was showing us the vastness, complexity and inevitability of the western expansion. I was okay with the ending, but even happier when I realized there is more to come!