5 Most Brutal Moments From American Primeval

This article mentions sexual assault and graphic violence.

Spoilers ahead for American Primeval.

Netflix's newest Western series, American Primeval, has quickly become one of the streaming service's most popular shows, but its depiction of violence has also raised questions. The series follows several opposing groups of settlers in Utah during the time of the Utah War. In particular, the series follows the fictional Sara Rowell and her son Devin as they travel West and the real figure Jim Bridger, the US Army, the Mormon settlers, and Native American groups as they battle for the land. The show certainly does not shy away from the violence that was rampant at the time.

Given the brutal nature of some of the scenes, American Primeval's cast is phenomenal in how they act it. The show can be hard to watch at times, but the performances and the exciting plot keep audiences coming back for more. As a result, American Primeval found success on Netflix immediately following its release. Especially considering that many episodes end with big reveals or cliffhangers, it is hard not to be invested in what happens to the characters next. Sadly, throughout the show, many of the best characters are dealt the worst, and most brutal, hands.

5 Isaac Reed's Death

Reed's Death Is One Of The Most Emotionally Brutal Moment Of The Show

Though Isaac Reed's death is not the bloodiest moment in American Primeval, it is one of the most emotionally devastating scenes in the entire show. Reed and Sara part ways just outside of Crooks Springs after confessing their love for one another. While the audience hopes that he will decide to stay with her, sadly, he rides away. However, he returns almost immediately after realizing that someone is still after Sara, but he is killed in the ensuing fight.

While happy endings were in very short supply in American Primeval, not allowing Sara and Reed to both survive feels especially brutal.

The fight between Reed and Sara's bounty hunter is violent, but it is far less violent than other moments in the series. What makes it one of the most brutal moments, then, is that American Primeval had built up so much tension between Sara and Reed just for it to be crushed. They were two of the most likable characters and their group as a whole had been through so much. While happy endings were in very short supply in American Primeval, not allowing Sara and Reed to both survive feels especially brutal.

4 Jacob And Abish's Deaths

Their Deaths Are Tragic And Very Bloody

In the final episode of American Primeval, the biggest battle scene takes place between the Mormon militia and the Shoshone people. Throughout the season, husband and wife, Jacob and Abish Pratt, had become separated, and Jacob spent the entire time looking for her. The two of them were only reunited during the final episode when Abish had finally decided to side with the Shoshone and Jacob with the Mormon militia. Abish and Jacob Pratt meet a brutal end as Jacob, not recognizing her, kills Abish and then kills himself after realizing his mistake.

The final fight scene between the Mormons and the Shoshone as a whole is incredibly violent, and many characters are killed. However, Jacob and Abish's deaths stand out as the most brutal part of the fight because of how long they had been searching for each other and the nature of how it happened. Jacob Pratt went into the battle so angry and consumed by his grief over losing his wife that he did not even stop to consider another option. Though Abish had found some satisfaction in her new life with the Shoshone, Jacob's belief that he had nothing left led to it becoming true.

3 The Mormon Militia Massacring The US Army

It Shows Just How Far The Mormons Are Willing To Go To Maintain Control

Episode 5 of American Primeval perfectly sets up the finale through one of the most shocking and brutal moments in the entire show. The tensions between the Mormon militia and the US Army had been building throughout the series, and it had already been revealed to audiences that one of the soldiers was a spy, but seeing the Mormons kill every single person in the army camp was completely brutal. After killing all the other soldiers, the Mormons even killed their informant.

American Primeval cemented the extremes that it was willing to go to several times in earlier episodes, but the army massacre scene highlighted the brutality that the different sides resorted to when they thought they were losing their land or favor. The Mormon militia knew that the Army was planning to attack them for the Mountain Meadows massacre, so they reacted first and without any remorse. The scene is very violent and bloody, and it certainly sends a message.

2 Sara Being Assaulted

The Moment Is Incredibly Physically And Emotionally Brutal

One of the most difficult moments in American Primeval to watch is in the scene where Sara and Isaac's group is captured by the disturbing French family. After being tied up throughout the day, American Primeval features a scene in which Sara is dragged out of sight and sexually assaulted. While the show, thankfully, does not show the assault onscreen, Sara's screams are more than enough to make it one of the show's most brutal moments.

American Primeval sets the French family up in such a sinister way that fear is building before anything happens. When the man begins to drag Sara away from Isaac and Devin, and she fights back, the fear and strength that Betty Gilpin portrays in Sara in that scene is devastating to watch. Though Sara gets her revenge by shooting the family when her group escapes, the assault scene itself is not bloody. The true brutality comes from knowing that the scene presents a reality for many women traveling in the 1850s.

1 Jacob Being Scalped

The Mountain Meadows Massacre Scene Is By Far The Most Shocking

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most brutal scene in American Primeval is that of Jacob Pratt being scalped in episode 1. The scalping scene is incredibly gruesome, bloody, and all-around disgusting to watch. It also immediately sets up exactly what the show is going to be. While some shows might not show their full violence in the first episode, American Primeval lets audiences know right away that the characters are willing to do anything to get what they want, and it is especially clear in the scalping scene.

The massacre scene had no shortage of blood, and Jacob's scalping was shown in all its gory detail.

While Jacob Pratt being scalped is the most disturbing part of the scene, the entire depiction of the Mountain Meadows massacre is brutal. The massacre scene had no shortage of blood, and Jacob's scalping was shown in all its gory detail. What makes that moment even worse is that every time Jacob is seen afterward, the scalping makeup and effects continue to look disturbing. While the series features moments that are too brutal for some audiences, American Primeval's depiction of the American West is definitely engrossing.