Into the West is a six-part miniseries that aired on TNT in 2015. Each episode consists of two-hour films by different directors. The epic was produced by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg and features cameos by numerous well-known actors.
Into the West is a story about Western expansion and covers its growth between roughly 1825 and 1890.
Wheel to the Stars
As with most stories chronicling the human experience, people are driven from complacency by their desire to secure a better life. This need underpins the stories that zigzag across Into the West. It’s a sprawling tale with interwoven families, friends, lovers, and enemies.
At its core, however, Into the West is about the American settlers who move out west and encounter the native inhabitants of the land, changing the lives of the locals forever as it weaves a complex, multi-generational story.
Into the West introduces us to two families—the Wheelers, a white family from Virginia, and the Lakota family from the Great Plains. Matthew Settle plays Jacob Wheeler, a young man who dreams of a life beyond the family business.
When opportunity presents itself, Jacob runs away and heads west to satisfy his need for adventure. At this point, the Wheeler family’s destiny begins to parallel that of the Lakota.
In juxtaposition to the Wheelers, the narrative introduces Loved by the Buffalo (Simon R. Baker), a young hunter who discovers he has the gift of foresight. Navigating the complexity of his community, we meet the Lakota at a time when their lifestyles are unchallenged by the impending arrival of Western pioneers.
Jacob eventually meets Loved by the Buffalo when he marries his sister, Thunder Heart Woman (Tonantzin Carmelo). The union ensures the interconnectedness of their lives as they continue to parallel.
Manifest Destiny
Each episode of Into the West does well in balancing the storylines between the native tribes and the white pioneers. The series, however, is massive in scale and characters. Each episode introduces the audience to new faces – some with more screen time overall.
That being said, Jacob and Loved by the Buffalo are the constants around which the story revolves. Their lives radiate outwards and create the rich tapestry that spans years as the series progresses.
The story’s parallels and the symbolism of the wheel (the characters’ interconnectedness) remain strong throughout the twelve-hour run. For example, the story explores the complexity of brothers who cannot see eye to eye from the Indian and settler perspectives, as well as the role of women and sexual slavery.
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Among the notable storylines is that of Kerri Russell, who plays Naomi Wheeler, Jacob’s cousin. Stubborn and headstrong, she is unlucky in love and chooses to venture west with Jacob when he returns home years after his initial departure.
Naomi’s character deals with massive change and tragedy as she loses her husband and is eventually sold into slavery. However, Naomi’s story takes an interesting turn. Prairie Fire (Jay Tavare), a handsome tribesman, saves her from being sold, and she lives among the Lakota, essentially building an entirely new life.
In addition, Into the West explores the Transcontinental Railroad, outbreaks of smallpox and cholera, numerous battles, the gold rush, and life on an Indian reservation.
As mentioned, numerous well-known actors make cameos in Into the West. I would advise not forming an attachment to any of them, as in most cases, their appearances are blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. Among the nuggets are Balthazar Getty, Alan Tudyk, Gary Busey, Keith Carradine, and Beau Bridges.
Dreams and Schemes
While Into the West is a beautifully made, wonderfully acted epic western, it has some stunning visual shots, and the time to get through the show is felt. The storyline tends to drag at times as the pacing slows to a near standstill.
While it’s obvious the filmmakers’ intention is to demonstrate the pace of life on the frontier, as a viewer, there are episodes that are hard to get through. Due to the large ensemble cast, you might also find yourself more or less interested in certain storylines. This means that you might spend an episode or two anxiously waiting for your faves to have their turn in the spotlight.
Despite that, however, Into the West is very respectful of the Native American culture it attempts to portray. For example, the characters all speak their indigenous languages, translated via subtitles.
However, due to the large cast, characters suffer from a lack of development. Despite the mammoth twelve-hour run time, you could very well leave the show feeling dissatisfied with the outcome.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Into the West has some incredible moments. It contains many elements that come together to create a largely satisfying Western. Into the West was nominated for a staggering 16 Emmy Award nominations in 2006 – the most nominated show for that year. It won two awards, the most notable for the score.
Where to Watch: Into the West can be purchased on Amazon (US) and streamed on YouTube.
Content Note: This series is unrated. Note that there are scenes of violence, implied sexual violence, the use of profanity, and numerous adult themes.
Have you watched Into the West? If you have, what do you think?
Photo Credits: DreamWorks Television
I remember watching that one. 🙂 It was so long ago now (13 years? really???) that I don’t remember much, but a few things stood out: learning new things about how Native Americans were treated, Naomi having to pick up buffalo chips. 🙂
I’ve never seen this one but now I want to.
My husband and I are watching this series now. I discovered it by accident and was drawn in. Yes, it was slow at first but SO worth sticking with. We just finished episode 3. So much happens in each episode! It’s heart breaking, and heart-warming. It’s educational. And beautiful. I highly recommend it.