American Primeval – Season 1 Episode 2 Recap & Review

Episode 2

Episode 2 of American Primeval begins with a group of Shoshones led by Red Feather finding Jacob. He asks for help but they refuse. However, they let him live so that he knows the price of colonization.

Meanwhile, Isaac insists on taking Devin back to Fort Bridger much to Sara’s chagrin. Isaac suddenly notices the Native girl who has been following them. Devin tries to stop him but he makes the girl leave.

They reach a river and Isaac leaves to find a crossing. The girl pops up and asks for her knife which Sara had grabbed during the attack. Virgil and his men show up and start shooting at Sara. The Native girl helps them escape while another group of Natives attack Isaac, separating them. 

Elsewhere, Brigham Young is preaching about turning America into Zion. Brother Cook, one of the “outlaws” reveals their plan is on track. He claims there are no witnesses and Brigham sends Brother Bill Hickman to Fort Bridger to ensure there are no rumours of their participation in the attack at Fancher’s.

At Bridger, Hickman argues with Jim who is allowing US soldiers on his land. He claims Jim will be considered an enemy but the pioneer couldn’t care less. At that moment, Jacob shows up, raving about the attack. The US soldiers believe it is Red Feather’s people. Hickman takes his chance and reprimands them for warring with Mormons when they should focus on Natives. 

Meanwhile, Abish and the women are being held hostage by the Paiutes when Red Feather’s Shoshones show up. They don’t believe in the Paiutes’ allying with White men and kill them for it. They then kill all the Mormon women who weep and beg. Abish simply stares at Red Feather, claiming she is not afraid and he will die one day. Impressed, he takes her prisoner.

Back at Bridger, Jacob wants a posse to find his wife and Hickman agrees to help him. Jim asks about the Rowells and Jacob believes they have been killed which makes Hickman curious. Captain Edmund Dellinger is annoyed to see that Jacob has joined the Mormon Militia instead of trusting his soldiers to investigate.

Captain Wolsey joins the posse and Jacob is glad. However, Wolsey is the same man who tried to kick out Fancher and later led the attack. Alone, Hickman lashes out at Wolsey for the loose ends. They are to kill Jacob if he suspects anything. Hickman wonders if there are any other witnesses and Wolsey lies about Sara, Devin and Isaac.

In the woods, Sara, Devin and the girl, Two Moons introduce themselves. Sara also returns the knife to Two Moons out of gratitude. Isaac finds them and is annoyed by the fire and Devin’s squeaky leg brace. He cuts it off and once again tries to shoo Two Moons away but she tags along.

As for Jacob’s posse, they find the Paiutes’ camp. One Native is alive and he barely mentions the Shoshones before Wolsey kills him, citing mercy. His plan is to find Abish and then kill the couple.

Abish is being held captive by the Shoshones who free her for a meal. She makes a run for it but is caught and tied up again. Red Feather offers her food again and she gives in.

Next, Captain Dellinger’s men reach Fancher’s and notice the hoods and shod hoof prints which are unlikely for Natives. He wonders if Mormons may go as far as to kill their own to fulfil their dream. 

Elsewhere, Isaac uses Sara’s money to bargain with outlaws for some horses. Sara doesn’t trust him and ruins it by showing her face. They instantly recognise her from the bounty. Isaac is shot before he kills the outlaws. He is furious and Sara explains that she killed in self-defence and Devin is in danger. She offers 1500 dollars for safe passage to Crooks Sping and Isaac gives in.

Onto the rescue, the posse is questioning a scavenger tribe when Jacob spots Abish’s shawl. He makes a grab for it and a tense stand-off ensues. Wolsey takes him away while the Natives glare at them.

Back in the woods, Isaac passes out and Sara takes back her money. She tries to help when some Shoshones show up. Isaac wakes up to see he has been healed. Sara returns the money and he is surprised. She claims she took it when she thought he was dead. They smile and she notes that the tribe is his family. His mother, a Native woman calls him and he confesses he is lost. She hugs him and wonders if Sara is his family now.

Dellinger shows up and asks for Red Feather’s whereabouts. He is the Native woman’s son and has broken away from them. Isaac reveals that the culprits are the Mormon Militia. Dellinger suggests that the tribe move to a protected reservation but the Native woman refuses to be cowed down by the Mormons. 

After Dellinger leaves, Isaac once again tries to change Sara’s mind but she insists on going to Crooks Spring. He then tries to make Two Moons stay back but she too refuses and they leave together at the end of American Primeval Episode 2.

The Episode Review

American Primeval Episode 2 expands upon the overarching mystery and conflict that involves all the players. In the remaining 4 episodes, it will possibly create a complicated web of deceits, unlikely allies and a race to safety. Young’s scheme didn’t make sense initially but watching the different parties blame each other, it becomes clear that he wants to sow discord and create a distraction before he can swoop in and save everyone with the word of the Lord.

Then there is the surprising connection between Red Feather and Isaac. If they end up crossing paths, Sara will likely want to take Abish with her which will foil Jacob’s rescue plan further. And let’s not forget that the bounty hunters and the Mormon Militia are after them.

We do wonder about Sara’s bounty. If she killed her abusive husband, Mr. Holloway in self-defence, and Devin is also a Holloway, then who is Mr. Rowell in Crooks Spring? And why does Devin consider him as his deadbeat dad? Questions, questions, questions…