American Primeval (2025) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[ominous music playing]
[metallic creaking]
We've been here a long time.
I'm well aware.
[Devin] Are you sure
the man is coming?
Mother?
When is the man getting here?
I I don't know. He's Soon.
Maybe he doesn't
know where we are.
Do you know where we are?
Some place in Missouri.
[Devin] Sure doesn't
look like Philadelphia.
Well, that's a good thing.
And soon enough, we will be
with your father in Utah,
in a real town.
We should just keep going
all the way to California.
- Like we used to always talk about.
- Why don't you read your book?
- I've already read it.
- Read it again.
[Devin] "Oliver Twist's ninth
birthday found him a pale, thin child,
somewhat diminutive in stature and
decidedly small in circumference."
"But nature or inheritance
had implanted a good, sturdy
spirit in Oliver's breast"
[wheels squeaking]
[man] Ms. Rowell?
John Frye from St. Louis.
[John] One and only.
How was the train ride in?
The train ride is difficult to
remember as it ended so many hours ago.
Train arrivals out this way
can be unpredictable.
Well, the same with
guides as well, I suppose.
You have my fee we agreed
upon in our correspondence?
I do. Is this enough to
get us to Fort Bridger?
That and what we
kill along the way.
You didn't mention a child.
This child This
child is my son, Devin.
I didn't assume it'd matter.
Our agreement is for simple
transport to Fort Bridger.
We are to meet a Jim
Beckworth and his party there
for the balance of our passage.
I can assure you, Ms. Rowell,
there will be nothing
simple about this.
Then I suggest we get started, as we
are already running late, thanks to you.
Follow me.
What do you think's out there?
Your father.
[people clamoring]
[indistinct chatter]
[grunting]
[man coughing]
[man] Sit still, Robert.
Butts, you feel more like
a blacksmith than a doctor.
I am a fuckin' blacksmith.
[shell clinking]
A-ha!
Knife thief!
- [man 2] Hey! Get back here!
- [laughs]
- [man 2 shouting]
- Run, girl, run!
That's it!
[Robert laughs]
Does it look like
how you thought?
Well, I hadn't
really considered it.
We won't be here long.
[Devin] What kind of Indians
do you think they are?
[Sara] I don't know.
[children shouting indistinctly]
That's enough!
None of that!
Get back there,
back to your own!
We don't want it!
Don't make me!
Well, that won't be
necessary, Mr. Frye.
Why don't you go on and let
Mr. Beckworth know we've arrived?
[children continue shouting]
[man wolf-whistling, laughing]
Stay close.
- We got a problem.
- Where's Mr. Beckworth?
He's left. That's your problem.
- Walter
- He's left?
God damn it, I told you to move
them half-dead mules of yours.
- They're sittin' in my walkways again.
- [speaks French]
[in English] This is Jim
Bridger. It's his establishment.
- Make sure I get that
- We were to meet a Mr. Beckworth here.
- He's to guide us to Crooks Springs.
- [speaks French]
As I was telling your man,
you're late in from St. Louis.
We had some weather problems.
Weather's always a problem.
Was gonna be a problem for Beckworth
if he waited on you any longer.
What's this?
- Why are these Mormon wagons there?
- Excuse me.
Perhaps we would
catch up with him.
- You tell them if they wanna
- [speaks French]
- [in English] up at that gate. Not there.
- I can guide us there.
Mr. Frye, I've said
I appreciate
We need someone with experience
in this region. Excuse me.
Mr. Bridger. I'm afraid
we need your help.
Step back, friend.
[speaking French]
- Perhaps there are other guides.
- There's those that know the way.
- Friend.
- Whether they'll take that trip
[screams]
[shouting in French]
[in English] God damn it.
[Sara] What?
- You all right?
- [grunts]
String up the Frenchman.
[Sara] Well, should
we get a doctor?
[Jim] What for?
Halfway across the plains,
it became clear everything
he told us was a fabrication.
Assured us that this was a
docile, peaceful trading post.
The end of our worries.
We got a post if you want
notifications sent to kin.
I don't know any of
Mr. Frye's details.
He came into my employ
after leaving Boston.
We never delved into the
other's family history.
There's a graveyard just
beyond the north fence.
I could have a few boys
take care of the particulars
if you feel that's an
acceptable location.
I guess.
Your boy.
Devin. Devin?
Devin!
[man shouts indistinctly]
[man] I guess the
frog ran out of luck.
It's not suitable for us to see.
Look at me. Stay here.
Quite an establishment
you have here.
I expected things to improve
once we came across more people.
Civilization and civilized are two
different words entirely, Ms. Rowell.
I might suggest you head back to
Boston where you'll find more of each.
My husband is waiting
for us at Crooks Springs.
I suggest maybe he wait a little
longer, until early spring.
Weather will have eased
then and any luck,
the tribes and Mormons will
have stopped their ravaging.
I'm afraid waiting
is not an option.
I can't seem to make clear what
you're asking for, Ms. Rowell.
I'm asking for a guide to
Crooks Springs, as I've said.
[Jim grunts]
[Jim] This is us.
Crooks Springs.
In between, you got the
Wasatch mountain range.
As rocky and hard and high as
any you'll ever come across.
In which this time of year
is gonna be impassable.
But you're likely
to never get to it,
due to what's
roaming on all sides.
If outlaws don't murder you,
you got your Utes,
Paiutes, Shoshone,
grizzly, wolves
and riled up Mormons.
If our kingdom of
God holds strong,
it will cleanse and purify
the world from wickedness.
Bear claw.
There's war brewing
in this territory.
Brigham Young trying
to make his kingdom.
President Buchanan sending
in troops to stomp it out.
And every one of them more than content
to kill some immigrant mother and child
to keep their grip on
what they see as theirs.
Mr. Bridger, I would appreciate you
securing my son and I an escort.
Please.
Of course you would, Ms. Rowell.
[bird cawing]
[Sara] Where exactly
are you taking us?
[Jim] A fellow who camp's
up ahead a bit further.
Bit of an odd stock, but
he's no thief or murderer.
Knows this land better than
anybody I can think of.
It's Bridger! Coming in!
There must be a better way than
our traipsing through this
- [gunshot]
- [screams]
I said it's Bridger,
God damn it!
Now, hold your shot!
You all right?
Come on.
Stay behind me.
What is this?
Old Injun magic.
Keep away wolves and such.
- Enemies and evil spirits too
- Stay behind me.
if you believe
that sort of thing.
Did you not hear me announce?
I heard something.
[Jim] That's something you
heard was me saying don't shoot!
This here is Ms. Sara Rowell.
She's looking for a
lead to Crooks Springs.
This is the fella I was
telling you about, Isaac
Isaac Reed.
Mr. Reed.
[Isaac] I ain't got
no business in Crooks.
Yes, well we would
be your business.
Five hundred dollars to assist
us in reaching my husband there.
- Beckworth figured the trip was worth it.
- That's between her and Jim Beckworth.
True. And I only feel obligated
to help her fill his role
on account of that crazy Frenchman,
Henri, shot her companion.
They shoot Jim Beckworth too?
No, Beckworth left without, due
to her being three weeks late.
- Shouldn't be late.
- I explained that
I am aware that our delayed arrival
has helped create this situation.
All that matters is
whether you are willing
to take on the position
of our guide or not.
I ain't got business in Crooks.
- Especially with a woman and a cripple.
- [Sara] Seven hundred and fifty dollars.
Hundred in advance, the balance
when we reach my husband in Crooks.
He's got no business in Crooks.
- And I'm not crippled.
- Will you be our guide or not?
No.
I said I needed someone capable.
Do not speak unless spoken to.
Her offer is well above the going
rate for that distance, Isaac.
Respectfully, Jim
I don't need your help.
You sure about that?
Yeah. All right, I guess
I'll see you around then.
You should try not to get
yourself shot so much.
[people chattering]
[Jacob] Twelve even
should cover it.
We've got some lightly used firearms
if you haven't got enough of your own.
We're fully stocked
with weapons.
[man] Can't have
too many out here.
You've had attacks in the area?
[man] It's been a
full season of them.
Wise to travel large.
More is in the group, the
likelier not to be set upon.
So, how is it you Mormons
divvy up the women?
Two apiece?
[woman] Like shoes.
One for each foot.
Twelve a pop, I hear.
Beg your pardon?
[man 2] Is that true?
My wife, Abish, and
I were just wed.
Brother William's
wives, Oaklyn and Ezrie,
and Sister Alivan's not
betrothed to anyone.
How much for her?
So, you could claim her as
your own if it suited you?
And just add her to your stock?
God bless you.
I'll wait for you
outside, Jacob.
Twelve a pop.
I did not appreciate
your tone back there.
The man didn't want
us. Same as Father.
It's not a case of what
he did or did not want.
We were paying him for a service.
And of course your father wants us.
No, he doesn't.
He never has.
Not true.
Who else should we
speak to, Mr. Bridger?
It's a dice roll.
I don't know the lot of
them from Adam's dog.
Brutal truth, Ms.
Rowell, is as many
would gladly rob you and leave you
for dead as get you to Crooks Springs.
Surely, I can
trust the military.
Woman alone with all them men out
here. I'd recommend against it.
I can take care of myself
in such situations.
Even so. They don't
head that far west.
They're just here to put the government's
boot down on the Mormons and hostiles.
What about them? There.
[Jim] Mormons?
They carry a whole nother set of problems
to which I was referring previous.
[Sara] It cannot
be worse than here.
[Devin] I like it here.
This really your fort?
[Jim] Mmm-hmm.
How do you get a fort like this?
You build it.
[Sara] Devin!
Devin!
Stay by me.
While I'm sympathetic to your
circumstances, Mrs. Rowell,
I've reached my burden's
limit caring for my own.
We are not in need of your care.
Just honest companionship
along the trail ahead.
And my son is perfectly capable.
I don't doubt that, but
I've stated our number
to Fancher's party who we're
joining tomorrow evening.
I cannot imagine one additional
woman and child would offend him.
I thought God rewarded
the open-hearted.
Yes.
My wife has the luxury of
thinking with her heart.
- I'm not in a position to do that.
- We're always in a position to help.
It took considerable negotiations to
get Mr. Fancher to allow our entry.
If we show up with extra bodies,
we risk being turned away.
We have three strong horses.
We're fully stocked with supplies.
Enough to carry us
to Crooks Springs.
[Jacob] Crooks is
beyond our destination.
[Sara] I'll arrange the
balance of our travels.
You won't need to concern
yourself. We will be no burden.
This new world out here, all I have is a
brother's map and God's hand to lead us.
I am willing to put my faith
in both, Mr. Pratt. Please.
How's your back for carrying?
Good, sir.
We set out at first light.
Oh, thank you. Thank
you, Mr. Pratt.
And thank you for the nudge.
Afraid I don't carry
that type of influence.
Yes, well, I'm still grateful.
This doesn't seem to be a world
that favors a woman on her own.
- That's why we get married, isn't it?
- Yes.
[grunts]
[in Arapaho] Please, no more.
Let her be!
Enough!
Let her be.
[grunts]
That's enough!
Open your legs.
[man groaning]
What did you do?
We have nothing now!
I've had nothing forever.
[grunts]
[sobbing]
[man] Come on!
[urging horse]
[people chattering]
Careless.
Dragging a boy through that.
I parried the same thought.
She is determined.
More for me to trade
to Walter Higgins.
I'm afraid you're likely right.
But do me a favor.
Don't tell me about it, so
I've reached my
fill on such things.
Temperature's falling.
Grab a blanket for us.
- Find it?
- Who are you?
[breath trembling]
Are you hurt?
[whispers] You can stay here.
Easy.
What?
Nothing.
- Hey, Fancher.
- Yeah?
Somebody's coming.
[man whistles]
Mormons.
Mormons? We expecting them?
[Fancher] Eight dollars a wagon.
Make sure you get their money.
One step closer to the
life I promised you.
You keep speaking of
this new life, and I
I suppose I'm just wondering
what my purpose is in it.
Your purpose is your family.
Your husband.
Just as my purpose is you.
Our road to each other was not
straight, but we are one now.
And I will not exist
without you by my side.
[man] Keep them moving.
Mr. Bridger. Someone
here to see you.
Jim Bridger?
Unless you plan on
shooting me for it.
Looking for a woman.
Sara Holloway.
Believe she came up this way.
What'd you say her name was?
Holloway. Out of Philadelphia.
Likely traveling
with a young boy.
Virgil.
She must be high dollar, hunter such
as yourself tracking out this far.
She murdered a man out east.
His family's old money and offering a nice
stack of it to whoever can bring her in.
We long way from Philly.
I know where I am, sir.
I picked up the bounty
outside of St. Louis.
She was seen there
looking for a guide west.
Word is she hooked up
with a man named Frye.
Don't believe I've seen her,
but I'll be on the lookout.
They give a reason she
murdered that feller?
Can always find the right
reason to kill somebody.
Good day.
[soft music playing]
[laughter and lively chatter]
[man] Fancher.
We got riders.
Get my gun.
Who the hell's this? Cavalry?
[man 2] Nah. Mormon militia.
Mormons.
Them's Nauvoo Legion.
Hello, friend.
Hello back.
- Well, who's in charge of this party?
- How can I help you?
- You're in charge?
- I am.
All right.
You possess a permit
to be on these lands?
Permit?
[James] By proclamation
of Governor Brigham Young,
no person shall be allowed to
pass through this territory
without a permit provided
by a proper officer.
If you don't have a permit,
you and your party need to turn your
wagons back east before nightfall.
You're not gonna keep on
Friend, you can assure Governor Young that
we're gonna be out of here first light.
He'll never knew we were here.
I'm afraid it don't
work like that.
Governor Young's declared
martial law to protect his people
due to you and your kind driving us out
of our homes, killing our loved ones,
telling us to find
our own place to be.
[James] Well, we
found that place.
And, mister, you're
standing on it.
As I understand it, I'm standing on land
owned by the United States government.
I do not need permission
A proclamation of Governor
Brigham Young. No man shall be
You keep talking about your proclamation.
I do hear you. I'm not deaf.
Only problem is, we have
our own proclamation,
and that proclamation says that
we take orders from no man,
especially a goddamn Mormon, or
that thing there, whatever that is.
- So you can tell
- [gun cocking]
Friend, you want to start shooting,
I got 60 guns back here, ready to go.
And I got some real
fine shots in the lot.
He's real bored. He ain't
been shooting nothing but
What you been shooting, Cole?
- Field mice.
- [Fancher] Field mice.
So you tell your governor,
"no thank you" on his permit.
What I would appreciate is some
grazing spot for my cattle.
And if your governor
is feeling generous,
ask him if he might be able to spare
a couple of them wives he's got.
The younger, the better.
Younger, the better.
Now what I'd suggest is you all ride
out of here before we shoot you up.
Go. Now.
There ain't no cause
for violence, friend.
And we come here as a courtesy.
Good day to you.
Let's go, boys.
Come on.
What do you think?
Every time you ask me that,
you already know what I think.
We should have killed
them all right now.
Okay. Let's keep a couple
extra guns on watch tonight.
[man] Yes, sir.
What about that Mormon party?
Mormons?
Put the Mormon party on
the outer perimeter here.
That's why I brought them.
To see if they kill their own.
[Cole] All right.
[bird chirping]
[indistinct chatter in distance]
[animal howling]
- [folk music playing]
- [women laughing]
[man] We've been traveling
for close to five weeks.
Hoping to find better
than we had in Missouri.
And you're all off to
settle with your Moses?
Brigham Young in Utah.
Yes. A rebirth for us all.
Except for Mrs.
Rowell and her son.
They're traveling from
Boston to Crooks Springs.
Crooks Springs. Yes, to
join my husband there.
I knew a Rowell in Illinois.
He traded me this for some
work I did on his house.
Jessup Rowell?
Springfield?
It's possible. My husband's
family is scattered to the wind.
Excuse me.
And you, Mr. Pratt, you and your
wife are from Springfield, is it?
No, Abish's family
is from Shelby.
A marriage had been arranged between
Abish's sister Eden and myself.
Her sister. What happened?
Pardon me.
[Jacob] Uh
God took Eden from us
and delivered my Abish to me
just in time for this journey.
[woman] You look almost as
sickly as I feel, Abish.
Something to tell us?
Sorry.
Can't help but feel
like I don't belong.
It should be Eden here, not me.
- That wasn't God's plan.
- Perhaps God made a mistake.
We must trust the path God laid out
for us whether we understand it or not.
Like a blind man being led
by the hand of a stranger.
Until he reaches the cliffs.
And on his way down, he
realizes he wasn't blind at all.
He just never thought
to open his eyes.
[man] Young man.
If you're hungry.
[Jacob] We hope to
have many children.
I grew up with six
brothers and sisters.
We have three of our own.
And I believe that's
all I'd care to have.
We wouldn't want to speak too soon. I
think we'll likely have at least six.
[woman] Six?
Three sounds like plenty to me. I'm
finding I have my hands full with one.
And what is it that
you want to do?
Well, I'd first like to get
settled in Salt Lake Valley.
But then I
[women screaming]
- [woman] Oh, my God!
- [man] Hey!
Dev
[man] Cover your flanks!
Run them off the ridge!
Get to your own weapon!
[grunting]
- [Indians ululating]
- [gunshot]
Abish!
Abish! Abish!
[grunting]
Get off him!
Get off my Jacob! Jacob!
- Abish!
- [screaming]
No!
[screaming]
[gunshot]
[people continue screaming]
Papa!
Dear God!
- Come on!
- Go! Come on! Move!
Mama! Mama!
Come on!
Get down.
Go!
Run!
[man grunts]
[man 1] Hey!
Go get them!
[man 2] Get up!
Hunt them down!
[screams]
I need riders! I need riders!
I need more riders! Go get them!
Let's get 'em, boys!
No witnesses!
Kill them all!
Frank.
Go now and get that body.
[Frank] Yes, sir.
Mullen! Mullen!
- [man] No!
- [Frank] Come on!
[Isaac] Stay quiet.
[Sara whimpering]
[Isaac] Shh.
Be quiet.
[gun cocking]
[man shouting indistinctly]
[man] Make sure
they're all dead.
[woman sobbing]
[gunshot]
- [man] Finish them all!
- [watch ticking]
Can't find them anywhere.
No tracks. Nothing.
Well, they didn't just vanish.
You tell those Paiutes we will
pay them if they track them down.
Go on. Get.
Chief's got no use for oxen.
Wants the cattle and the horses.
[gunshot]
Wants the women too.
Nuh-uh. No. I already got two
witnesses that are unaccounted for.
I'm not about to turn loose anybody
else that can tie us to this.
They won't last long
with these Paiutes.
Tell him when he's done with
them to make sure they're dead.
You understand?
[thunder rumbling]
[Sara] I don't know
if we should stop.
They'll still be looking for us.
Who are those men?
The men with the masks?
Those weren't all Indians.
- I'm cold.
- I know.
Can we build a fire?
Not if you wanna live
through the night.
Can we have some of your food?
Stay behind me.
Here.
All right.
Eat this. All right?
[men laughing, chattering]
Can I help you?
[Virgil] Well, in a perfect
world, we can help each other.
What is the going rate for
bringing in a husband-killer?
We heard you might be
looking for a woman.
Traveling with a boy.
Well, what if I told you I
know exactly where they are?
What'd that be worth to us?
Boy has a kind of
brace thing on his leg.
That bounty for dead or alive?
Half if dead. But
paid either way.
Well, what's she worth?
Fifteen hundred.
[laughing]
That would make your cut 200.
I can't live with that.
- How soon can you take me to her?
- Right now.
Then that would
make your cut 500.
That's a number I can live with.
Let's go.
Hey, what's your name?
Where are you from?
Say, friend. Where are you from?
Virgil!
I can live with
500, but you can't.
We didn't have to kill him.
Well, he's dead.
So, obviously, we did.
Virgil.
Don't!
Come on. She's got
a day's head start.
Let's go!
Sorry, mister. I'm sorry.
[thunder rumbling]
[flies buzzing]
[grunts]
[dog growling]
Abish!
Abish!