‘American Primeval’ Ending, Explained: Who Lives and Who Dies?

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Warning: Spoilers for American Primeval.

Under the guidance of director Pete Berg, Netflix’s newest gritty western drama titled “American Primeval” has made its debut on the streaming platform, living up to its promise of intense violence and brutality. This limited series unfolds in the turbulent Utah territory of 1857, a time when the control of the American West was fraught with tension. The storyline pits the U.S. Army against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and various Native American tribes. As disputes over sovereignty, religious freedom, and territory escalate, they culminate in the most bloody of confrontations.

In a remote location seemingly exempt from legal jurisdiction, a woman named Sara (Betty Gilpin) and her young son Devin (Preston Mota) attempt to flee their past by embarking on a western journey. However, their escape proves more challenging than expected following the harrowing events of The Mountain Meadows Massacre.

After the Mormon-approved massacre, Sara, Devin, and the hidden Shoshone youth named Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) find themselves under Isaac’s care and safety – a local resident with a troubled history initially reluctant to assist them. With an acute understanding of the wild west, Isaac advises Sara and her son to head back east. However, events gradually bind the group together, and Isaac eventually agrees to guide them towards the west. Regrettably, bounty hunters persistently pursue them as Sara is wanted for manslaughter, even though it was in self-defense.

Simultaneously with Sara’s journey heading west, Jacob (Dane DeHaan) and Abish Pratt (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), the last surviving LDS members following a massacre, persist. This leaves Brigham Young (Kim Coates) and his militia determined to eliminate any traces related to their involvement in the tragic incident. The television series American Primeval, which presents a succession of distressing tales, is not suited for sensitive viewers.

What Happens to Jacob and Abish?

Are They Ever Reunited?

Following the Mountain Meadows Massacre at the start of the first episode, Abish gets captured by the Paiute tribe. Not staying with them for long, Red Feather (Derek Hinkey), a Shoshone tribesman, slays the Paiutes and takes Abish captive instead. However, he spares her harm. During her time with the Shoshones, Abish develops compassion for their predicament and gradually feels a sense of belonging among them. Assuming she’s the last survivor of the massacre, she doesn’t attempt to locate Jacob. On the contrary, Jacob is convinced of his wife’s survival. After being brutally scalped and left for dead, Jacob undergoes treatment and embarks on a journey to find Abish. Yet, as he progresses in his search, he starts losing his sanity.

In the escalation of tensions between LDS members and the Shoshone, Jacob and Abish, unwittingly, find themselves on opposite sides of the struggle. As the conflict reaches its boiling point, Jacob fights with the LDS militia while Abish aligns herself with the Shoshone. During a fierce skirmish between the two parties, Jacob mistakes Abish for an enemy and fires at her, only to later discover it was her. Overwhelmed by his discovery, he kisses her before she succumbs to her wounds. Consumed by guilt, he takes his own life. The tragic reunion of Jacob and Abish is perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment in the series, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences for those who journey westward.

What Happens to Brigham Young and His Militia?

Do They Face Justice for the Massacre?

In the American Primeval series, some members of Brigham Young’s militia lose their lives during conflicts with the Shoshone, but they don’t face significant repercussions for their involvement in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Even after engaging in a deadly battle with the U.S. Army, it appears that justice is hardly a concern.

Essentially, Young seems to have amassed more influence in the end by purchasing Fort Bridger only to destroy it. Without this fortification, the U.S. Army found themselves at a disadvantage when attempting to counteract Young and his militia, strategically speaking. This outcome symbolizes the ruthlessness of the West and serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, acts of barbarism can lead to gains.

Do Sara and Devon Ever Make It to Crook Springs?

Does Isaac Go With Them?

they all head towards California instead. Although Isaac harbors feelings for Sara, he understands their union is impossible. He bids her farewell with a tender kiss before continuing the journey alone. However, soon after parting, Isaac discovers one of the hunters he believed to be deceased is still pursuing Sara.

As Sara is cornered by the bounty hunter, Isaac suddenly re-emerges, leading to a fierce gun battle between them. Eventually, Isaac manages to kill the bounty hunter, but he too meets his end with a mortal wound. He passes away holding Sara’s hand, following which they and others cremate his body on a sacred funeral pyre. The ordeal leaves an indelible mark on Sara, Devin, and Two Moons, prompting them to forge ahead towards California instead of Crook Springs. Having braved the harsh western wilderness together, each of them emerges more robust and determined to build a fresh life on their own terms as a united trio. All episodes of American Primeval are available for streaming on Netflix.

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2025-01-10 21:01