Into the West (2005)

Into the West (2005) is a TV Miniseries, produced by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks. The six two-hour episodes (including commercials) were first broadcast in the U.S. on Turner Network Television (TNT) over six consecutive Fridays in June and July of 2005. It was also shown in the UK on BBC2 and BBC HD from November 4, 2006, as well as on CBC Television in Canada. In the U.S., AMC aired the series during both summer and fall seasons in 2012. With a setting spanning from the 1820s to 1890, the miniseries follows two families – one white American and one Native American – whose lives become intertwined amidst the events of American expansion. Narrated primarily through Jacob Wheeler and Loved By the Buffalo, it also portrays other characters and events that shaped this period in American history, blending reality with fiction.

Episode 1. Wheel to the Stars. As an elderly Lakota medicine man, Growling Bear has a prophetic vision that the buffalo, crucial to his people’s survival, will soon disappear from the prairie and be replaced by square houses. Despite its controversial nature, most of the tribe dismisses Growling Bear’s warning thanks to the persuasion of his apprentice, Soaring Eagle. However, young White Feather overhears and becomes intrigued by this dismissed vision. Seeking out the now discredited medicine man before he passes away, White Feather is granted a special necklace representing the Lakota medicine wheel. This sacred object is later passed down to different characters throughout the miniseries. During a dangerous buffalo jump hunt led by White Feather’s older brothers Running Fox and Dog Star, a stampede claims many lives from their village. Miraculously spared from harm, White Feather credits the spirit of deceased Growling Bear for saving him. In honor of this event, the tribe gives him a new name – Loved by the Buffalo – and view him as a holy man with healing powers that allow him to take on others’ pain.

Episode 2. Manifest Destiny.Following his time among the Lakota people, Jacob decides to journey east with his wife and daughter, Margaret Light Shines, to Wheelerton, Virginia. However, Jacob’s family is less welcoming towards Thunder Heart Woman than her family was towards him. After staying in Wheelerton for some time, Jacob decides to return west with his new son, Abraham High Wolf. His brother Jethro joins them on this trip. Alongside them are Jacob’s three young female cousins: Leah Wheeler, Rachel Wheeler, and Naomi Wheeler. These girls are drawn to the idea of adventure out west after experiencing disappointment in love. Meanwhile, Thunder Heart Woman’s two older brothers, Dog Star and Running Fox, have differing opinions on integrating white technology into their way of life. They eventually decide to split the tribe and part ways. After several years of traveling westward, the Wheeler clan reaches Independence, Missouri. Although Jacob is eager to continue on to California or Oregon with his second son Jacob Junior High Cloud, Thunder Heart Woman and some others prefer to stay in Missouri. Eventually, Jacob persuades them to join a wagon train led by Stephen Hoxie – a more skilled salesman than leader.

Episode 3. Dreams and Schemes. Jethro and Thunder Heart Woman remain in California and are blessed with a daughter, Corn Flower. While employed at the Wheeler ranch, now known as Rancho Paradiso, Jethro meets a 49er named Martin Jarrett who brings news of the California gold rush. Jethro is intrigued and decides to join him on the nearby American River to search for gold, although he returns home every evening. Although he dreams of quick wealth, all he manages to uncover are a few small grains. Undeterred, he becomes increasingly consumed with the pursuit of gold. As a result, essential repairs on the ranch go neglected and Jethro’s excessive drinking to cope with the harsh waters takes a toll on his relationship with Thunder Heart Woman and their children. After numerous arguments turn violent, Abe High Wolf Wheeler decides to leave. Jethro’s cousin, David Wheeler, arrives as a fellow 49er and becomes his partner in search of gold. When they come across a group of Chinese miners who have been successful in their prospecting endeavors, Jethro and David become envious and forcibly drive them away while claiming their rightful land.

Episode 4. Hell on Wheels. In December 1863, Clara Wheeler travels to Omaha and reunites with her cousins: Daniel Wheeler, his wife Esther, and their children Robert, Jackson, Thomas, and Lilly. Daniel continues the family tradition as a wheelwright. Though he has a strained relationship with Clara (as mentioned in a previous episode when Samson revealed they were never on good terms), he reluctantly agrees to take her in at the insistence of his wife and son Robert. However, Robert is to be solely responsible for Clara’s well-being. It is clear that Clara is still deeply affected by the loss of her family, but she finds solace in Robert’s kind presence. Meanwhile, the race is on as both the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads work tirelessly to connect the East and West coasts of the country. Jacob Wheeler’s son Abe joins the construction crew of the Central Pacific railway from Sacramento, where conditions are grueling and many workers end up leaving to search for gold in California’s goldfields.

Episode 5. Casualties of War. In 1874, settlers discovered gold in the Black Hills. These hills were sacred to the Lakota as they believed it was the center of the world. The Indians had been granted ownership of the range through the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. However, this did not stop settlers from trespassing on their land to mine for gold. As a result, conflict arose and the U.S. Army took control of the region, leading to the Black Hills War – marking the last major Indian War on the Great Plains. While Red Cloud tried to maintain peace with white settlers at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, many young men such as cousins White Bird and Red Lance joined Sitting Bull’s cause instead. For example, Red Lance’s younger brother Voices That Carry wanted to join them but was too young and had to stay behind with their grand-uncle Dog Star. Despite this, Red Cloud still hoped that officials in Washington would uphold the Treaty of Fort Laramie and prevent other whites from entering the Black Hills.

Episode 6. Ghost Dance. After a decade since the conclusion of Episode 5, Robert and Clara Wheeler arrive back at their home, feeling disenchanted by their experience running a school. However, Clara finds purpose in teaching Native American children on the reservation. Meanwhile, Loved by the Buffalo is convinced that Wovoka, a mysterious Indian on the Paiute reservation near Yerington, Nevada, is the prophesied leader as he inspires his people with the Ghost Dance and promises of their ancestral land. Despite bringing hope to many, this ritual also sparks fear among those who seek to control the Native Americans. On the reservation, Voices That Carry reunites with his brother Red Lance and soon enough, the Ghost Dance becomes a widespread phenomenon. However, this triggers alarm in white governors and suppliers who are responsible for providing necessities to the Natives. Inflamed by biased newspaper articles portraying the dance as violent and rebellious, tensions continue to rise. Meanwhile, Margaret Light Shines is residing on the reservation to care for local children and those who are ill.