The episode opens with Isaac Reed (Taylor Kitsch) shooting someone. He pushes the body over a ravine, gives Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) a gun for protection, and tells Devin Rowell/ Devin Holloway (Preston Mota) that he is going to find Sara Rowell/Sara Holloway (Betty Gilpin). The next day, Isaac finds horseshoe prints on the ground. Elsewhere, Virgil Cutter (Jai Courtney) cuts Sara’s restraints, so she is more comfortable as they speed up their pace. She offers to pay him more than her bounty. He accepts and asks if her husband knows she shot a man back east. She says he doesn’t understand. He suggests she utilize her time to reflect on your past decisions and threatens to shoot her in the face if she tries to escape. Virgil orders Tilly (Kyle Davis) to remain behind and take out anyone who comes except Newt’s men. He says they will meet up at Black’s Ridge. Lucas (Andrew P. Logan) warns Sara against riling Virgil. Elsewhere, Isaac follows the tracks to Tilly who is sitting next to a downed tree. He utilizes his horse to distract Tilly and approaches from behind with his gun drawn. Tilly turns to face him. Isaac demands to know where Sara is.
An Indian is stepping on Jim Bridger’s (Shea Whigham) back when Brigham Young (Kim Coates), Cotrell (Nick Hargrove), and another man barge in. Brigham tosses a saddlebag filled with money on the floor and says it is his final offer and the next one won’t be so generous. Illiterate, Bridger scans the contract and signs it with an X. Upon leaving, Brigham assures him there is no bitterness between them but in 48 hours his fort will be burnt to the ground. He vows to never let the Mormon religion cease to exist. Wild Bill Hickman (Alex Breaux) informs Brigham that the female survivor knows the Nauvoo Legion is responsible for the ambush and attempts have been made to notify Washington. He says she is living among the Shoshone and Red Feather (Derek Hinkey) has joined them. Brigham orders him to take care of it and not mention it again. He stops to speak with two young Mormon girls, Charlotte and Samantha. He urges the parents to have more children. A short time later, Hickman finds a delusional Jacob Pratt (Dane DeHaan) and asks about Frank Cook. Jacob has a flashback of drawing Cook in the creek. In a whisper, he claims Cook stole William’s watch.
Two Moons and Devin are awakened by an anxious horse. They hear a creaking noise and something hits the door. A wolf rips off the wood. Two Moons fires a shot but misses. The wolf attacks her. Devin retrieves the gun and shoots the wolf. Upon arriving at the Nauvoo Legion camp, Hickman informs James Wolsey (Joe Tippett) of Cook’s death and his promise to Jacob to avenge Abish’s (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) murder tonight. Jacob insists on going with them before being led away. Wolsey warns Hickman of what will happen if Jacob finds Abish alive. Hickman says to put him in the lead and let fate finish him. At a Shoshone camp, Red Feather (Derek Hinkey) addresses Abish as “Stone Woman” and paints her face for strength. Elsewhere, Lucas convinces Virgil to let him give Sara a blanket. She pleads with him to help her but he refuses. A man rushes into the camp on a horse. Virgil and his men shoot him. He falls from his horse. Lucas races over to see it is Tilly. Virgil curses. They come under fire. Injured, Lucas hides behind a bush. Isaac unties Sara. Virgil asks Lucas to talk to him. Sara flees while Isaac fires several shots before he runs out of bullets. He steps out into the open. Dropping his gun, Virgil suggests they split the bounty. Isaac charges him and a struggle ensue. Virgil repeatedly hits him and draws his knife. Sara charges him. Isaac restrains Virgil and Sara repeatedly stabs him. They leave the camp on horseback. Lucas rushes over to find Virgil dead.
The Nauvoo Legion led by Wolsey wearing hoods enter the Shoshone camp to find it vacant. They come under attack. Red Feather kills Wolsey. Abish shoots at the men. A hooded man shoots her and removes his hood to reveal he is Jacob. Seeing it is her, he smiles and kisses her. Young Elk (Mosiah Aaron Crowfoot) runs over to embrace Red Feather. Abish dies and Jacob kills himself. The next day, Sara and Isaac return to the cabin. They pack up and leave. Elsewhere, Hickman tells Brigham it is done. Brigham says there is one last thing to do. At a saloon, Bridger gives Cottrell (Nick Hargrove) a bundle of cash. Cottrell says that is a lot of money. A man alerts Bridger of Mormons outside with torches. Bridger grabs his saddlebag and announces the remaining alcohol is free to all. The men help themselves. Hickman tosses a torch into Bridger’s office. Bridger enters, retrieves a shovel, and rides away on his horse. Elsewhere, Brigham speaks to the congregation.
While making a crutch for Devin, Isaac explains the meaning of the tattoo on his hand. He says his wife, Spring Rain, and son, Little Bear, crossed over. Devin is pleased with the crutch. Placing her hand on Isaac’s heart, Sara says it beats but promises to tell no one. En route to Crook Springs, they stop near a river. Isaac tells Sara that he is returning to where Spring Rain and Little Bear are buried. She suggests there is no place for them there. He says he knows how to survive on his own. She informs Devin that they will leave Isaac here. Devin argues they don’t need his father. Utilizing sign language, Two Moons thanks Isaac. Sara tells Isaac that she doesn’t want Devin’s father to see how she looks at him. They kiss. He rides away alone. Devin suggests they go anywhere but Crook Springs. Sara admits to being unable to take care of him on her own. Isaac discovers Juliette’s doll buried in the snow. Sara turns to see Lucas staring at them. He orders her to mount her horse and follow him. She offers him money. He fires a shot near her and orders her to mount her horse. Devin urges her not to do it. Sara grabs for her gun when Isaac quickly approaches and shoots Lucas in the shoulder. Isaac charges him and they both fall to the ground. Devin, Sara, and Two Moons watch as Isaac strangles Lucas to death. Sara sees Isaac is shot. He leans against a rock. She holds his hand while he dies. They later built a pit to burn Isaac’s body. Devin and Two Moons agree to skip Crook Springs and go to California with Sara.
American Primeval Review
The cheap, fake props and set were possibly AI-generated. The portrayal of Fort Bridger is incorrect. In 1847, LDS leader Orson Pratt described the fort as consisting of “two adjoining log houses, dirt roofs, and a small picket yard of logs set in the ground, and about eight feet high.” Two additional log cabins were later built. The LDS supposedly acquired the fort from Louis Vasquez for $8,000, as recorded in the Salt Lake City’s Records Book in 1855. The Mormons burnt the fort in 1857 after Alfred Cumming was appointed to replace Brigham as the Governor of Utah.
Some scenes appear to have been filmed in front of a green screen. Another failed Netflix project, regardless, of the hype. The episode deserves a 4 out of 10.
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Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
