American Primeval Series-Finale Recap: Closing Time

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In the final installment of “American Primeval,” questions left hanging are poised to find resolution. Will Isaac manage to save Sara? Will the Nauvoo Legion effectively conceal their wrongdoings? Can wolves breach the fragile barriers of a hunting lodge? The answers to these and other queries will be revealed in the season’s closing episode.

Initially, the situation involving Sara and Virgil takes center stage, and it appears that Sara is in a precarious position at the start of the episode. Found tied to a horse, she tries negotiating with her captor, but Virgil doubts her claim that her spouse (let’s call him “spouse”) from Crooks Springs will pay generously if he delivers her instead of claiming the bounty. The deal falls through. Sara’s only hope lies in Isaac catching up to them. He does manage to do so, partly by surprising Tilly, one of Virgil’s men. However, reaching them and rescuing Sara are two distinct challenges.

The series appears to have been building up to this significant confrontation between Brigham Young and Jim Bridger from the beginning. However, tensions between them escalate so intensely that a violent resolution seems inevitable. Yet, quite unexpectedly, it doesn’t happen. It transpires that, despite any affection he may hold for Fort Bridger, Bridger is ultimately swayed by a substantial amount of money. Young manages to acquire this sum, which effectively buys out Bridger. Furthermore, Young reveals his intentions for the fort to its creator: he intends to destroy it entirely by fire.

In this scenario, Fort Bridger holds more significance for the Mormons as a relic rather than an intact fortification. However, if the truth behind the Mountain Meadows Massacre were revealed, this might not be a crucial factor. Previously, the novel American Primeval left some doubt regarding Young’s involvement in the massacre cover-up; but here, there is no ambiguity. Here, we are told that Bill Hickman advised ensuring Abish, a living witness to the massacre, was killed during an attack on the Shoshones, and furthermore, he instructed him to carry out this task silently without speaking of it again.

While trying to complete their task, Wild Bill encounters Jacob who, since their last meeting, has become as unhinged as Aguirre from “The Wrath of God.” He keeps talking about Brother Cook stealing a watch, although his words are hard for Wild Bill to follow. Not considering this a clear indication of murder, Wild Bill returns him to the Mormon camp. Despite Wolsey’s hesitation, Wild Bill decides to enlist Jacob in their battle against the Shoshone, thinking that he won’t live long enough to find Abish. Though their plan eventually fails, it initially seems well-thought-out.

In a more simplified and natural way: Virgil seemed overly confident in his plan, but that changed quickly when a horse carrying Tilly’s body, looking similar to one he knew, charged into the camp. However, this was just a diversion; the real danger was Isaac who freed Sara and massacred most of the campers. Amazingly, Lucas, Virgil’s brother (who we didn’t know was related before), survived and seemed deeply affected by the events he witnessed. (If they were brothers earlier in the story, I apologize for any oversight if that wasn’t made clear.)

The Nauvoo Legion, led by hooded figures, rides into a deserted Shoshone village. It’s a trap, and chaos ensues, claiming Wolsey among the victims. However, before he falls, Wolsey seems to strike a fatal blow against Red Feather, though his consciousness is questionable after he hugs his son. In quick succession, Jacob also delivers a lethal blow, only to discover that he has killed Abish, who now wears Shoshone clothing and paint. He kisses her as she dies, then takes his own life. The scene concludes with a series of lifeless bodies, including Winter Bird’s. Despite her preference for peace, neither her approach nor her son’s violent course could prevent this massacre. In the end, Hickman and Young achieve their objectives. By concealing their wrongdoings, they can (temporarily) claim Fort Bridger as their territory. The opposite of R.I.P. for this context would be “Life thrives” or “Life resumes”.

To start off, it’s time for a grand celebration! Bridger has chosen to disband Fort Bridger in a blaze of glory, although the festivities are abruptly halted by the arrival of a mob armed with torches. He pauses to commemorate the event by saying, “Time to call it a night, for everyone.” Indeed, the night is upon us. The small piece of civilization Bridger has established in this land where Natives, settlers, and even Mormons can coexist peacefully is moments away from being consumed by fire. But, on a lighter note, there’s free alcohol! The solemn mood doesn’t linger for long. Bridger takes a brief moment to retrieve his shovel, which had caused him foot trouble earlier, hurl one final insult at Wild Bill, and then fade into the annals of history as the Mormons extend their sphere of influence.

Despite Two Moons and Devin appearing safe within their cabin at dusk, wolves emerge as night falls. In a brief, intense altercation, they manage to ward them off. The day after Sara and Isaac’s return, the group embarks on their final journey towards Crooks Springs. To start with, everything seems calm. Isaac opens up about his past, revealing details such as his wife and child’s names. As he watches Devin and Two Moons frolic, he can’t help but describe it as “magnificent.

Later, Sara tries one final time to convince him to remain with her, questioning whether his past isn’t enough reason to begin anew together. She harbors feelings for him, and he returns them, but he can’t accompany her. They share a goodbye kiss before going their separate paths. In the end, each of them uncovers something significant: Sara discovers that Isaac left the money she had given him behind. On the other hand, Isaac encounters a more ominous revelation – the doll from the French-Canadian camp, which until now belonged to Lucas, who, once tenderhearted no longer, decides to collect the bounty on Sara’s head. They are saved, but Isaac succumbs to his injuries during the ensuing attack. After a solemn and mournful funeral service, the remaining individuals embark on a journey far beyond Crooks Springs – towards California.

Bullets and Arrowheads

The conclusion of “American Primeval” is somewhat unsatisfying, despite not being a terrible ending per se. Over six episodes, the resolution of the Abish/Red Feather/Winter Bird storyline and the Fort Bridger narrative seems rather sudden. Granted, each story reaches its end through violence and fire, but the pace at which they conclude feels hasty considering the time invested in them.

To put it simply, Sara and Isaac’s bond developed gradually but came to an abrupt end. Previously, I hypothesized that American Primeval might not conclude entirely unhappily, and indeed, it doesn’t. There’s a definite sense of optimism as Sara and the children depart, heading towards the sunset. Although it was improbable that four individuals would be in that group at the end, Isaac’s departure still seems somewhat hurried.

As a movie reviewer, I found “American Primeval” to be an unyielding yet compelling exploration of Utah Territory during its tumultuous past. The film’s grimness is almost relentless, but it accurately portrays a time and place where conflicting ideas and beliefs led to brutal confrontations – a reflection of history that resonates powerfully.

The central theme here is the notion that our present circumstances are shaped by our past choices, as embodied by the character Virgil. This perspective offers a harsh, yet thought-provoking view of American life, where consequences seem inextricably linked to personal decisions. The LDS church serves as another example of such ideas shaping the lives and actions of individuals.

While the antagonists of the story – Young and particularly those involved in the massacre – are clearly portrayed as villains, their background helps explain their choices. This is a world where survival dictates the actions of every character, making “American Primeval” a fitting title for this gritty depiction.

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2025-01-11 07:56