Isaac & Sara’s Fates In Netflix Western Series Explained By Stars & Director

Netflix’s American Primeval ends on a bittersweet note as the fates of Isaac and Sara come full circle in the six-episode series. Directed by Peter Berg and starring Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, the Western miniseries takes place in the chaotic and lawless Utah frontier of 1857, depicting a grim and violent struggle for survival as settlers, cultists, and Indigenous Tribes clash in brutal battles for control of newly claimed land. Written and created by Mark L. Smith, American Primeval garnered varied critical reviews, but vastly positive reviews from viewers.

According to Netflix’s Tudum, in the finale, Isaac (Kitsch) sacrifices himself to save Sara Rowell (Gilpin). Sara, who began her story by fleeing Philadelphia after a violent confrontation, emerges as a survivor ready to forge a new path in California with her son, Devin Rowell (Preston Mota), and Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier), a runaway Indigenous girl. Berg and Kitsch revealed behind-the-scenes decisions about Isaac’s death and Sara’s transformation during production. Check out their comments below:

Kitsch: Isaac is an irreparably broken man from the beginning. It’s rare that you meet people whose problems and situations in life are so tragic that you actually think that a noble death is maybe the best possible outcome. Isaac is in that strike zone. Isaac is a man in mourning. Sara shows Isaac that there is still light in the dark. She represents hope to him, as much as he fights it.

Berg: It’s sad. It’s an underreported aspect of filmmaking. I had no problem with Isaac dying, but seeing Taylor dying and realizing that he’s my friend and that my friend’s going to die one day, it’s just something that you never … It’s gotten me a few times in my career, directing. He took it well, but I think he probably believed up until we wrapped that day that we might change our mind — and possibly still thinks it’s not too late to go back and do a quick reshoot.

[The] Sara at the end of this story would not have needed the protection of the man she had to kill in the beginning of the story. That, to me, is at the heart of this show. Her survival skills get tested in ways that a big city wouldn’t test. In New York, you could buy a Coke. If we’re going to tell the history of misogyny, we have to be honest about what it was really like. She was a person who maybe believed the lie that her highest purpose was to sit in a parlor and wait for the right husband, because that was the option provided for her.

He was basically an a******. And that’s where Isaac comes in. She’s not able to manipulate, or coerce, or have her way with Isaac the way she might’ve with others in the past. Those were the kinds of things Betty and I talked about. It’s almost like he’s a physical embodiment of something that Sara has felt inside for her whole life. She’s just never been allowed to embody it. I thought about charting the inner Isaac coming out. Sara always knew she was strong, but now she’s got an added ability to her strength. I can survive. I am going to be responsible for my son and for this young girl. And we’re going to figure this s*** out.’”

What This Means For American Primeval’s Legacy

Isaac’s Sacrifice Is Significant For The Overarching Story

Isaac’s death is the pinnacle of American Primeval’s central theme, which is the search for redemption in an unforgiving world. From the start of the season, Isaac is portrayed as a man broken by the loss of his family. Over time, his bond with Sara and Devin symbolizes a glimmer of hope. Even in despair, love and connection can guide anyone toward purpose. By saving Sara and Devin from Sara’s bounty, Isaac achieves a noble death, bringing his arc to a poignant close.

Additionally, Sara’s development emphasizes the evolution of a woman stepping into her power amid the constraints of 1857 societal norms and circumstances. Having relied on manipulative tactics for survival in her past, Sara’s journey to the frontier strips her down to her primal instincts. Of course, Isaac’s influence helps her find strength beyond traditional roles, empowering her to stand alone and move to California when he eventually passes away.

Moreover, creative choices made during production reflect the collaborative relationship between Pete Berg and Taylor Kitsch, who have worked together on Friday Night Lights and have continued a close relationship since. The writer’s decision for Isaac to die in the season finale points toward the fluidity of American Primeval’s story progression. Similarly, Gilpin’s portrayal of Sara required extensive backstory development to capture her transformation.

Our Take On American Primeval’s Emotional Finale

The Season Finale Ties Up The Characters’ Storylines

American Primeval delivers a powerful conclusion, emphasizing both loss and hope. Isaac’s sacrifice is a heart-wrenching moment on television, but it cements his role as a catalyst for Sara’s awakening. Meanwhile, Sara’s growth from a dependent widow, to a murderer on the run, to a capable survivor increases depth in not just the narrative, but her character. American Primeval’s finale succeeds in bringing raw emotion to character-driven storytelling, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Source: Tudum