The new Netflix series explores the tragic Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857 in Utah.
The show kicks off with this massacre in the first episode, setting the stage for the main characters’ journey. It’s a dark Western that dives into the tough life in the 1800s. The series follows Sara, a mother traveling with her son, and Isaac, a mountain man raised by the Shoshone tribe, as they navigate the dangers of the West.
While Sara and Isaac are made-up characters, the events around them are rooted in real history. The first episode dramatizes the massacre, which was a brutal attack on emigrants by local Mormon militiamen and some Paiute Indians.
In September 1857, a group of travelers heading from Arkansas to California was ambushed. Only 17 kids under six were spared. The massacre was tied to tensions between the Mormons and the U.S. government, known as the Utah War.
Brigham Young, the Mormon leader, was worried about U.S. troops coming after them, so they formed their own militia. Even though many were involved, only one guy, John Doyle Lee, faced serious consequences. He was eventually executed for his role in the massacre.
In the show, Sara and her son find themselves in a terrifying situation when they’re attacked by soldiers disguised as Native Americans. Just when it looks like it’s all over for them, Isaac swoops in to save the day.
The violence in that scene really sets the tone for the rest of the series. The producers have said that the massacre is a key part of the story, driving the conflict for the characters. “American Primeval” is now streaming on Netflix, so if you’re into dark Westerns, it might be worth a watch!
