01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

[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

k*ll 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 f*ck' 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 m*rder 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 w*r 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 k*ll 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 m*rder*r.

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

- [g*nsh*t]

- [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 sh**t!

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 sh**t 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 cr*pple.

- [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

sh**ting 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 m*rder*d 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

m*rder*d that feller?

Can always find the right

reason to k*ll somebody.

Good day.

[soft music playing]

[laughter and lively chatter]

[man] Fancher.

We got riders.

Get my g*n.

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, k*lling 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 g*dd*mn Mormon, or

that thing there, whatever that is.

- So you can tell

- [g*n c*ck]

Friend, you want to start sh**ting,

I got 60 g*ns back here, ready to go.

And I got some real

fine shots in the lot.

He's real bored. He ain't

been sh**ting nothing but

What you been sh**ting, 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 sh**t 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 k*lled

them all right now.

Okay. Let's keep a couple

extra g*ns 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 k*ll 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]

- [g*nsh*t]

Abish!

Abish! Abish!

[grunting]

Get off him!

Get off my Jacob! Jacob!

- Abish!

- [screaming]

No!

[screaming]

[g*nsh*t]

[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!

k*ll 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.

[g*n c*ck]

[man shouting indistinctly]

[man] Make sure

they're all dead.

[woman sobbing]

[g*nsh*t]

- [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.

[g*nsh*t]

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-k*ller?

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 k*ll 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!