A gripping portrayal of survival on the 1857 American frontier comes to play in Netflix’s American Primeval, which is earning acclaim for its intense storytelling. Directed by Pete Berg and penned by Mark L. Smith, the series delves into themes of existential crises, bloodshed, and resilience.
The harsh realities of this tumultuous period in American history are depicted without reservation, raising the central question of who survives this brutal journey and at what price.
Jim Bridger walks away while others face the harsh truths of the West (Photo: American Primeval/Grand Electric Film 44)By the End of American Primeval, Survival Comes at a Great Cost
Each character introduced at Fort Bridger encounters a moment of existential choice. Brigham Young’s (Kim Coates) Mormon settlers are determined to pursue their vision of a utopia, even if it necessitates resorting to violence.
The Shoshone, under the leadership of Winter Bird (Irene Bedard), fight to safeguard their culture from encroaching threats. Meanwhile, Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin) and Isaac Reed (Taylor Kitsch) are on the run from their troubled pasts, hoping to find redemption in a lawless land.
At the core of the story is Jim Bridger (Shea Whigham), the practical owner of the fort. Acknowledging the decline of his era, Bridger decides to sell his post to Young and leave, allowing others to grapple with the harsh truths of frontier life.
“Bridger’s exit strategy was more effective than almost everyone else’s because almost everyone else dies,” explained director Pete Berg in an interview with Netflix Tudum.
The Harsh Realities of Survival
As the story progresses, the stakes continually escalate. The unforgiving frontier shows no mercy. “Walking 20 feet into the woods to go to the bathroom could be a lethal experience,” Berg remarked, emphasizing the omnipresent danger.
From snake bites to infected injuries, even the smallest mistake could spell death in this merciless environment. The brutal setting profoundly influenced the story direction. “We entered production without knowing for sure who would live or die,” Berg disclosed.
Various endings were contemplated, ranging from all the main characters surviving to just Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier), a young Shoshone girl, making it through alive. The fate of each character was dictated by their interactions with one another and the unforgiving nature of the frontier itself.
Who Makes It Out Alive?
American Primeval reveals that survival comes with immense sacrifice, and not all characters emerge unscathed. Two Moons, central to the series, becomes one of the few survivors. Sara Rowell and Isaac Reed are compelled to confront their pasts and make decisions that shape their destinies.
For some, redemption is discovered through sacrifice, while others fall victim to the brutal realities of frontier life. True to his pragmatic instincts, Jim Bridger manages to evade the worst of the violence by departing Fort Bridger early, underscoring his knack for self-preservation.
