American Primeval
By Sioph W. Leal
Mark L. Smith brings 1857 America to life in his new limited series, American Primeval. American Primeval shows the harsh brutality of this young, stolen nation where pain is everywhere, and innocence and tranquillity are losing the battle to hatred and fear. The hatred and fear that people have in their hearts is a contagion, spread throughout the world of American Primeval, infesting characters that wish to see a better world or those who wish to buy the ignorance. Survival is key, but like everything, there is a cost, and some will pay the ultimate price to survive, but also to control.
American Primeval is beautifully brutal, showing the blood-red viciousness of the American world. From Jim Bridger’s (Shea Whigham) brutal fort, bringing together violence and debauchery to the Shoshone tribe, with Winter Bird (Irene Bedard) leading, who are intent on keeping the peace, despite the cost to their people. Each group, from the Shoshone, Bridger’s Fort, to the Mormon leader Brigham Young (Kim Coates), all seem to have their own colour palette, which does help to keep track of the many locations and characters, as well as offering their own part in their storytelling.
The first episode starts off strong, becoming one of the strongest episodes in the series, as viewers are welcomed into the unforgiving world through the eyes of mother-and-son duo Sara (Betty Gilpin) and Devin (Preston Mota), who long to reconnect with Devin’s father. Through the Mormon group, we follow newlyweds Jacob (Dane DeHaan) and Abish Pratt (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), who start their new lives in chaos. In episode one, the newlyweds and Sara face a battle so surprising and ferocious, it will have you turning away from your screen, but it is the catalyst to everything that is yet to come. All troubles stem from this one pivotal moment, and how mistakes and characters who are supposed to be in the shadows prove instrumental in other downfalls.
American Primeval examines how those who fight to gain control of land that isn’t truly theirs can clash in violence, while those to whom the land truly belongs seek nothing but peace. The Shoshone tribe, though peaceful, isn’t without their own problems (aside from those stealing their lands and killing them). Within the Shoshone, Red Feather (Derek Hinkey) wishes to avenge his people and fight back against the invaders. The Shoshone tribe is incredibly underused at first, and though there are only six episodes, the series would have been improved, had it had a better focus on stronger storylines.
Whereas American Primeval is aesthetically pleasing to watch, it has one too many storylines going on at the same time. Lead character Sara has the weakest storyline, with even her recent secret not being enough to compel viewers into actively watching her; other characters like Abish, Red Feather, Winter Bird, and Edmund Dellinger (Lucas Neff) are vastly underutilized. They carry the heart of the story, the true cost of what it means to survive in this new America, yet their scenes are constantly cut short while Sarah and her emotionally cut-off guide Isaac (Taylor Kitsch) take up too much time (most of which is travelling and Isaac winning every single fight, no matter how outnumbered he is). The convoluted storylines could have offered rich, complex storylines with a visually, callously beautiful backdrop, but it fails to hit the mark, which isn’t helped by the repetitive score playing through the limited series.
Episode four introduces Edmund, delivering a narration through his letters as he describes the harsh world around him, how chaos is looming, and there is little to be done about it. It’s one of the most poignant scenes and continues till it ends on the next episode but would have had more of an impact if Edmund was a bigger focus. Instead, Sara’s storyline takes up a lot of the run time, and despite using Isaac’s connection to the Shoshone to bring them together, it leaves a lot to be desired. Sarah and Devin also have Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) in their retinue, and despite her tongue being cut out, Two Moons fights for survival and for a place in the world that is reduced to helping Sara and Devin. It’s a shame as, like other characters, her perspective could have enriched the story; instead, Sara and Devin’s plotline hinders the series.
Every actor in American Primeval performs on a great level; it’s just a shame that the pacing and story weren’t there or weren’t allowed the time they deserved. Throughout the series, we are told that Brigham Young (Kim Coates) is one of the most dastardly, evil men in American Primeval, yet there isn’t enough time spent with him. Instead, we are shown the maliciousness and political brutality from Brigham’s right-hand man, Wild Bill Hickman (Alex Breaux). Had the characters been given more time to delve into their stories, or even to sit with their scenes, American Primeval could have been a stellar series.
Although American Primeval struggles with so many characters and plots that hinder worldbuilding, its storylines through Edmund and the Shoshone tribe shine through and make it a compelling watch. Be warned: there are no happy endings in sight as viewers must watch characters endure the brutality of the world and how those who hope for peace pay the harshest of prices.
American Primeval premiers on Netflix, Thursday 09th January 2025.