Episode 3 of American Primeval may be one of the darkest episodes of the year, and we’re not even two weeks into January. During this tough hour of television, we watch Sara get tricked into helping a young French speaking girl, lured back to a camp and raped by her deformed family. Why Sara ultimately gets her revenge, we’re never given a clear explanation of why the heavily disfigured matriarch and family look the way they do.

While a clear explanation is never given, their horrid appearance is possible through inbreeding.

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And these villagers are monsters inside and out. The rape of Sara, is traumatic television, and these mutants are laughing and taking joy in the sexual assault of this woman in front of her son.

Sara does get some revenge. In a “cheer at your TV” moment, Two Moons, who escaped earlier, returns and gives Sara the chance to grab a gun and kill her attackers.

While it is satisfying to watch Sara take out these rapists, we’re all reduced to tears again, when she breaks down next to the fire after everything that’s happened.

She tried to help a young girl. And was taken advantage of and turned into a sex worker. In this world, being a good person isn’t a strength. It’s a disadvantage that will get you raped and killed.

American Primeval has been a very dark watch up to this point. Very difficult television to observe.

But I want to close this post in saluting Betty Gilpin (Sara), who has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. She hasn’t quite found her show yet, but she continues doing some really fine work.

What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments.

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