Under The Banner Of Heaven Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

When God Was Love – The show begins with Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) repairing a push lawnmower. Annie Pure (Sienna King) asks him to play lasso. He tells her the lawnmower needs to be mowed. With a bit of pouting, Annie gets her way. Grabbing his lasso and Stetson, Jeb heads outside to lasso Annie. When Caroline Pyre (Alba Evora Weller) sees they are having so much fun, she joins in.  Rebecca Pyre (Adelaide Clemens) alerts him of a phone call from work. Jeb jots down an address while Annie complains about him going to work. He informs his mother, Josie Pyre (Sandra Seacat) that he was called into work. The Pyre family prays before he leaves.

Jeb arrives at the crime scene. Gradually entering the house, he sees blood everywhere. He tears up while walking through the house. He tells Officer Noah Denney (Scott Olynek) the fingerprints and crime scene need to be thoroughly recorded. Noah says he doesn’t think he can find it in himself to reenter the house. Jeb tells him to do it for the victims. When Allen Lafferty (Billy Howle) approaches, he orders him to stay put. When he disobeys his order, Jeb pulls his gun, ordering him to put his hands in the air. As he gradually approaches, it becomes obvious his face is covered in blood.

While driving down the road, Jeb has flashbacks of the crime scene. Noah can be seen struggling to do his job. Jeb speaks to a desk cop about Allen hiding in a house in the same neighborhood. He says Allen claimed he utilized a neighbor’s phone to call first responders because the telephone line was slashed. He asks the officer to locate the next of kin. Noah asks Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham) if he had to cut his date short. Bill just stares at him without responding. Jeb informs Taba that the female is 24 years of age and the baby is 15 months. He says the suspect, husband is a member of a prominent LDS family. Taba suggests he find the motive of the killing and utilize it to produce a confession. Jeb asks if he can take the lead on the interview. Taba agrees.

Jeb removes Allen’s handcuffs before the interview starts. Taba enters to sit in on the interview. Jeb asks when he last saw his daughter and wife alive. Allen swears he is not responsible for the murder. Jeb repeats his previous question. He says, “This morning before the sun came up.” He tells them that he is a self-employed tiler. Taba interrupts to suggest he make the process simple. Jeb asks where the jobsite is located. He says on I-15 toward Sandy. When he asks for a physical address, Allen becomes confused. Sobbing, he asks if it is possible for him to get a clean shirt. Jeb looks at Taba who shakes his head no. Allen pleads with them to find the other members of his family. Taba questions why it is necessary to find all his family members. He claims someone is hunting his family down.

Jeb promises to conduct welfare checks on his family if has their contact information. He denies knowing their new addresses after they all relocated. He promises them that he is telling the truth. Taba asks him to identify the person who is hunting them down. He explains how men with beards are smitten with his family. Jeb asks if they were “vagrants.” Taba sarcastically asks if he is familiar with the story “Vagrants Kill My Wife.” Cutting him off, Allen says the men were like the prophets in the Book of Mormon.

Jeb watches as Allen has his photo taken. The Desk Cop (Jerod Blake) says Allen could only recall his oldest brother’s contact information. He tells him that Ron didn’t answer his call. Taba suggests Mormons wouldn’t after the phone past their bedtime. Jeb assures him that they would answer. Jeb has a flashback of Allen sitting in a church congregation. Jeb issues an order to have police officers do a welfare check on Ron and the other family members. Taba sarcastically asks if he is beginning to believe Allen’s bearded men story. Jeb says the information could be valuable for the investigation because the local church discourages beards.  Taba assures him that Allen is utilizing his shaved face as a distraction. He reminds him of who the primary suspect is when a wife is murdered.

 

Taba swears he can get Allen to confess. While having a flashback of Allen and his family, Jeb says he was in his family’s ward for a while. Taba promises to make Allen’s confessional painless and quick. Seb agrees.

Taba asks Allen if he saw Ron today. Allen claims to have not seen him in approximately a year. Taba offers to send an officer to Ron’s home if he can provide them with an address. He tells him that his wife’s infidelity left him brokenhearted and so irate, that he felt like wringing her neck. He asks if he or his wife was cheating. Allen asks if he belongs to the LDS church. He says, “No.” Allen suggests going directly to LDS to find the responsible party. Taba asks if they are LDS members. He says they are former LDS members. As he continues to speak, an LDS congregation, Brenda Lafferty (Daily Edgar-Jones), and her baby show on the screen. When Allen tells him that Brenda was LDS every day of the week, Jeb rushes into the interrogation room. He says, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart and shall cleave unto her and none else Doctrine and Covenants 22.”

Jeb asks him if he loved Brenda, with all his heart. Taba questions his actions. Ignoring him, Jeb asks Allen if he knelt beside his wife in the temple. He asks if he has a “temple recommend.” He assures him that they are easy questions. Taba reminds him that his questions are non-admissible. He admits to not caring while handcuffing Allen to the interrogation table. He guarantees that his guilt will be found out if he turned his back on God. As he prepares to leave, Allen admits to kneeling beside his wife in the temple. Jeb asks if he murdered his wife after she found out about him breaching his covenant.

After denying the allegations, Allen describes Brenda’s testimony as “unbreakable.” He assures him that she was “the perfect Mormon girl.” A flashback of Brenda singing “Some Say Love” at the Miss Twin Falls Idaho 80 pageant. Brenda tells her family her award wasn’t much less than the winner. Mr. Wright (Darren Goldstein) pays her a compliment. She says if she wants to get a TV role, she will need to be in a large city. He reminds her that God has a plan for everyone. She says the Lord’s plan for her isn’t to relocate to a big city. She agrees to relocate to Salt Lake City. He says she must graduate from school first. She assures them that she will enroll at Brigham Young University in Utah. Mr. Wright asks Brenda’s siblings who wants her bedroom when she leaves for college. They all do. Brenda moved to Utah to assist in building up Zion.

Allen accepts responsibility for drawing her in. In a flashback, Allen and Brenda’s eyes meet. Back to the present, Allen assures Jeb if he believes his testimony is impervious, he doesn’t know anything. He becomes irate while talking about his biggest regret, not getting Brenda away from Zion and his family.

Reviewing the crime report, Taba says the fingerprints could belong to the same person or several people. Jeb says his biggest concern is finding the culprit who killed their daughter. He suggests they put Allen in front of the firing squad if he is the culprit. The Desk Cop informs them that one of the phone numbers has been disconnected. He says a local realtor claims the property has been on the market for almost a year. Taba agrees to contact Mr. Wright. Jeb disagrees, saying they need to get in touch with Allen’s family.

Jeb speaks with Rebecca about Josie’s nightmare. As she suggests it is time, he cuts her off. He warns her that they will medicate Josie if she is put into a home. She asks if he will be at their daughters’ party tomorrow. He makes a joke about an upside-down cake before asking her what she remembers about the Lafferty family. He reminds her of Ammon Lafferty (Christopher Hererdahl) and his son, Ron Lafferty (Sam Worthington). She admits to remembering Ron and Dianna Lafferty (Denise Gough). He looks around before telling her about the two deceased Lafferty family members. She asks if he is in the emergency room. He assures her their deaths were not an accident. He questions if there is any contact information for the Lafferty family.

Taba and Jeb enter the interrogation room, where Allen is waiting. Jeb informs Allen that the investigators determine there were no signs of forced entry into his home. He tells him if he didn’t do it to prove it. When he asks him to identify the men with a grudge, Allen says, “Everyone.” He claims everyone wanted to find fault in Brenda.

In a flashback, Brenda and Allen are on their way to a family event. When they reach their destination, he suggests she not talk a lot. He introduces her to Doreen Lafferty (Meghan Leitch). They inform her that she is the first girl Allen brought home. Ammon asks her about dropping out of college. She assures him that drunk college girls vomiting isn’t holy. Allen introduces her to Samuel “Sam” Lafferty (Rory Culkin). She is later introduced to Sam’s wife, Sarah Lafferty (Britt Irvin), Robin Lafferty (Seth Numrich), Lynn Lafferty (Michele Wienecke), and Jacob Lafferty (Taylor St. Pierre). She is shocked when Allen abruptly leaves. A group of kids stares at her while she observes everyone do their own thing. She tries to mingle with them, but they ignore her.

Back to the present, Jeb asks Allen why he believes Brenda was attracted to Ron. Allen says all the girls had an attraction to Ron. Taba asks if that made him jealous. He assures him that there was no jealousy between him and Ron. He claims Dan Rafferty (Wyatt Russell) couldn’t keep his hands off Brenda. In a flashback, Dan removes a ladybug from Brenda’s hair. Dan introduces her to his wife, Matilda Lafferty (Chloe Pirrie), and his daughters. Back to the present, Allen says Dan liked to tease him. In the flashback, Dan asks Brenda if the girls at BYU abided by the “Word of Wisdom.” He tells her that he isn’t sure BYU girls are “obedient.” She assures him that the BYU girls don’t drink coffee or smoke. He tells her to not be too confident because the caffeine in soda can “kill a cut little BYU thing very quickly.”

Elderly Brother Alder (Robert Corness) informs Dianna that someone has come for him. He pleads with her to help him. Shocked, she tells him the place is not their residence. She reluctantly invites him in before rushing outside to get help. He promises to handle it. Allen isn’t happy when Dan tries to entice Brenda to sit with him. Butting in, Dianna escorts Allen and Brenda to their seats. Ron calls her Miss Potato Head because she is from Iowa. When she tells him about her desire to work in television, he guesses she is an actress. They discuss Ron’s construction company and his city council position. Allen tells Ron that Mr. Wright is a bishop. Ammon can be seen in the background speaking with Alder. Dianna asks Brenda if she thinks Ron is cute.

Matilda asks if she and Allen met in church. While they discuss marriage, Ron and Ammon appear to be in a serious discussion. Matilda contributes her second shot at life to Dan. Allen assures them it is okay to divorce when the spouse is a Catholic. Matilda informs her that Dan was into her sister before her. She says he gave her sister “the holy dunk” and possibly other stuff. Brenda sees Ron and Ammon in a heated argument. Ammon escorts Alder to a chair. He explains to his family that Alder is pleading for their forgiveness. He says the government is threatening to take Alder’s land for a highway. Raising his voice, he asks if they should set idle while the federal government to takes advantage of an elder. He gets an applause. Robin questions how much time Alder must make his land farmable. Ammon says only one day because LDS doesn’t work on Sunday.

Back to the present, Allen says Brenda believed she was faithful. He says that may be so in Iowa but not in Utah. Back to the flashback, Robin says a prayer. Ammon stares intently at Brenda. Back to the present, Allen claims Ammon was the first to realize Brenda saw the rules differently than them. Jeb asks how he liked Brenda. Allen says LDS women are supposed to obey and serve their husbands. Weeping, he says did Brenda deserve to be killed because she didn’t.

In a flashback, the Lafferty family work on Alder’s land. Allen reads from the Bible. Ron warns everyone that the field must be cleared before anyone can utilize the restroom. When Brenda sees all the men working so hard, she decides to join them. Ammon and the women are not happy. All the men line up along a fence to urinate. Dan jokes around with Allen by urinating on him. Alder prays after the job is complete. Ammon commends them for their hard work. He informs them of receiving a call from the profit to take part in a “senior profit.” He delegates Dan to run the business while he and Doreen are away for two years. He approaches Ron but doesn’t delegate him any tasks. While Dan prays, Ron quietly walks away.

Back to the present, Allen explains how Brenda monitored them carefully as they did her. Doreen joins Ron in the barn. He lays his head on her shoulder. Ammon shakes Dan’s hand while Doreen assures Ron that he is her one. She suggests he not let Ammon stand in his way.

The Desk Cop alerts Jeb that his wife provided him with Robin’s address. As Taba agrees to drive out to the location, Allen prays for the Lord to be with him.

Jeb asks Allen if he stopped visiting with his family when he left LDS. He asks if he ever misses church. He admits he missed the support of being part of a large LDS family. He talks about Young Joseph Smith’s (Ty Loupelle) vision of a book, in which the gospel is scribed on golden plates. He says Joseph was told by the Holy Spirit to wed Young Emma Smith (Sarah Desjardins).

Taba arrives at Robin’s house. When no one answers the door, they bust it in. Allen is upset when Jeb doesn’t answer his question about Major Carton’s discovery in the Mountain Meadows.” Taba finds a bunch of papers burning inside the house. Allen goes on a rant about faith as Taba finds several boxes of bullets on a shelf. He contacts Jeb to inform him of the fire and rotting food. Jeb says he believes it is something much bigger than a domestic dispute. He assures him that the other members of the Lafferty family probably live nearby. Taba agrees to dust for fingerprints to determine if Allen has been in the house tonight. When he hangs up with Jeb, Taba alerts Mr. Wright of Brenda’s death.

Jeb confronts Taba about his contacting Mr. Wright without his authorization. Taba suggests it’s time to start following protocol. Jeb says he was working on the questions to avoid the need to contact Mr. Wright more than once. He reminds him of who is in charge, not him. Taba tells him that his skin color is darker than most others in Mormondom. He claims to have more experience in homicide than him. Jeb points out that they only have one suspect and four sets of prints. When Taba suggests Allen could create four individual prints from his two hands, Jeb assures him it would be much simpler with four different people.

Jeb confronts Allen about something Mr. Wright told Taba. He claims Brenda told her sister that he physically abused her. He denies the allegations. Jeb suggests Bishop Wright is telling a fallacy. He admits they got into a physical altercation. He claims Mr. Wright wasn’t fond of him before going on a rant about Joseph not being liked by Emma’s father. Taba asks if he tied an electric cable from a vacuum cleaner around Brenda’s neck before slicing it. He accuses him of killing his daughter. Jeb accuses him of killing his brothers. Denying the allegations, Allen claims men with beards are responsible. He assures them that the culprits are out there killing more people right now while they focus on him. Taba slams him back into his seat. Allen suggests Jeb pleads with his Mormon God for wisdom. Jeb walks out of the room, followed by Taba.

Jeb looks through Allen’s photo album. After entering his office, he closes the blinds before kneeling to pray. Taba enters while he is in prayer. He asks if he would like an APB issued for the bearded men. Jeb tells him to do it.

Taba informs Jeb that the pathologist is scheduled to perform the Brenda and her daughter’s autopsies at 9am. Jeb tells him about serial, Henry Lee Lucas who satanically slaughtered his victims. Taba assures him that there is no satanic killer in the Salt Lake City area suburbs. Jeb tells him about a local serial killer named Arthur Bishop. He says a young girl’s body was found near his parent’s farm. An inverted cross and black roses were left on the young victim’s grave. He shares his belief of Allen’s family pressuring him to go back to church.  Taba reminds him that if Allen isn’t charged, he will walk free in 36 hours. Jeb says the police chief is in Yellowstone and won’t return for another week. He warns him of what will happen if the media gets wind of the story.

They receive a call from a who hotel clerk claims a man who fits their APB is there. Taba asks if the man has a beard. They surround the hotel before knocking on the suspect’s door. A female answers the door. She claims there was an electric outage at her home. Taba pushes his way through the door while the suspect flees the scene. When they catch up with the man, he is kneeling in prayer. The man identifies himself as Robin Lafferty. Taking Jeb to the side, Taba reminds him of when he attended church with the Lafferty boys. He suggests he and his family may be in danger if they recognize him. Jeb agrees to go home.

Josie startles Jeb when she quietly approaches him from behind. He reminds her of when she used to talk to them about the “broken things in life.” She asks if his father is gone. He acknowledges that he died about 10 years ago. She tells him that she wants to join him now.

Rebecca joins Jeb in the shower. When she wraps her arms around his waist, he has a flashback of Brenda wrapping her arms around Allen’s waist. Joseph and Emma appear on the screen. He chants about an outside force finding its way there. Taba watches Robin’s family climb into a van. Rebecca hugs Jeb when the episode comes to an end.

 

Under The Banner Of Heaven Review

The show is poorly edited and directed. The scenes are messy, with far too many flashbacks. One second, they’re in the present, the next in the past. I don’t mind flashbacks, but too many results in sheer confusion.

The dialogue is too preachy and inappropriately injected in the wrong places. Just one example is the shower scene. Jeb is in the shower with a beautiful woman and all he can do is quote religious scripture. How unlikely is this to happen?

I was turned off by Taba’s racial discrimination accusation. Out of the blue, he accuses Jeb of being racist against his skin color. In all actuality, his skin tone is only a tinge darker than other people. Jeb, on the other hand, is fair skin but the difference is probably not that noticeable. This comment makes the show seem uncompelling. I read the book and there was no mention of racism. Just sad how our entertainment sector has tried to inject racial discrimination into every facet.

I generally don’t bash actors, but Andrew Garfield’s voice tone is annoying. It was almost to the point of being child-like.  By the end of the episode, it wasn’t as noticeable. I guess I become accustomed to it.

The scene in which all the Lafferty brothers were lined up urinating was ridiculously out of place.

I believe the show is missing direct person-to-person communication. The characters don’t actually hold a conversation, they just throw words at each other. This makes everything seem so impersonal.

Billy Howle is the best asset of the show. His acting is superior and believable. I always look forward to seeing him perform.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Under the Banner of Heaven recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link to learn more.