1. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - this segment had me at hello
2. The Mortal Remains - this reminded me of The Hateful Eight and I enjoyed the ride. At first I thought the two Bounty Hunters had spooked the three other travellers that they might be next to have a contract put on them, but then figured the Bounty Hunters could be grim reapers, and the stagecoach was just bringing the three (already deceased) souls to their final destination, even spookier. (the dreaded look in their eye when they realise the truth)
3. All Gold Canyon - the amount of detail the Coens put in this one was amazing. It's the one positive story where the hard working prospector with initiative lives with his fortune and the lazy, unethical one loses. Of course the humans disrupt nature in their economic goals, but nature withstands the damage nonchalantly too in the end. False American dream?
4. Meal Ticket - I originally put this last on the list because it was so sad but it's also one that made me think the most after, so I had to bump it up. It was grim and horrifying to see the guy realise he was being replaced by a chicken. Another interpretation is that the Coens were taking a swipe at the idea that more artistic, intelligent art form was being replaced by a more lowbrow one, which is more lucrative in the entertainment industry? Nasty either way.
5. The Gal Who Got Rattled - this one might not deserve to be before last. It was probably the most grounded and realistic story of the bunch. In the end, the dog that was supposed to be put down, outlives his masters. Life in the West was a hard b*tch.
6. Near Algodones - short and sweet. Last on the list but James Franco got the best line, "First time? " In most westerns, the bad guy's fate is sealed from the start, end of story.