The recent surge in popularity of Westerns on television reflects a shifting understanding of American identity. Following decades of simplistic portrayals, revisionist Westerns emerged during the Vietnam War, criticizing the violence of white imperialism. Modern interpretations often explore contemporary issues like corporate power and internal conflicts within diverse societies.
American Primeval, Netflix’s most ambitious Western series, explicitly tackles these internal conflicts, with varying degrees of success. Set in the Utah Territory of 1857, amidst the looming Civil War, the series depicts various factions vying for control: mountain men, bounty hunters, pioneers, and Brigham Young’s militia, whose quest for religious freedom becomes ruthlessly violent. A government force monitors Young, while Indigenous groups—Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone—strategize for survival amidst colonization.
Sara and her son, Devin, journey West, requiring a guide. They encounter Isaac, a wild man, at Fort Bridger. Their group is completed by Two Moons, a Native American woman escaping a traumatic situation. Resilience unites Sara and Two Moons. Fort Bridger, under Jim Bridger’s rule, becomes the setting for violent clashes between Young’s militia, Mormon newlyweds, Shoshone warrior Red Feather, and a jaded Army captain.
Yellowstone‘s influence is undeniable, inspiring numerous spin-offs and similar narratives. Primeval, however, offers a different approach. More stark than Yellowstone, it shares a visual style reminiscent of sepia-toned photos and features graphic violence. Thematically, it resonates with the Amazon-BBC miniseries by contrasting violent factions with a hopeful vision of cross-cultural understanding.
The series falters by prioritizing the predictable romance between Sara and Isaac. While their group represents relative decency amidst the surrounding chaos, this narrative becomes overly sentimental. Despite strong performances from Gilpin and Kitsch, their romance overshadows the more compelling peripheral characters and their complex allegiances, mirroring our current sociopolitical climate.