I agree. While I like Ford as an actor, there are better choices. Perhaps he fit the age group this character was in the script. They did a good job leaving us hanging on two fronts in the first episode.
It's too bad they didn't use Ford as the wagon train master in 1883, and kept Sam Eliot as Jacob Dutton in 1923. As far at one of the cliff hangers, I'm assuming Jack Dutton survives being shot at since he's in all 8 episode of the season.
I was a bit surprised they had Elsa Dutton narrating the opening of the first episode of 1923, seeing as she died in 1883. It's amazing what Hollywood can do.