Episode 5 of "American Primeval" kicks off with Hickman meting out justice to Wolsey after deciphering Dellinger's letter. The treacherous spy slips back into camp, boasting of his successful delivery of the letter. He casually mentions Abish's absence, prompting Dellinger to disclose that she has ventured west, possibly returning to Red Feather.
Indeed, Abish finds herself once again amidst the Shoshones, updating Winter Bird on recent developments. The Native woman, intrigued, inquiries why Abish hasn't reunited with her husband. Abish confides that she isn't yet prepared to be discovered.
Elsewhere, Devin's leg is in dire straits, prompting Isaac to suggest amputation as a last resort. Sara, however, fiercely opposes this drastic measure, yet their departure remains impossible until Devin recovers. Two Moons, with a wiser approach, proposes cauterizing the wound, a suggestion Devin reluctantly agrees to. With the women restraining him, Isaac proceeds with the painful procedure.
Meanwhile, Young sweetens his offer for the fort, but Jim steadfastly declines. As Young exits, he wins over the locals with his charismatic demeanor. Dellinger, penning his thoughts in his journal, expresses his conviction that Fort Bridger stands as the final barrier between Young and Utah. Should Young seize the fort, Utah would fall entirely under his domain.
Dellinger harbors hope that love might spare them from this impending doom, but his wishes are cruelly dashed when the Mormon Militia launches a surprise attack in the dead of night, slaying every soldier within sight. Wolsey, personally taking aim, executes Dellinger with a shot to the head.
While Devin slowly recuperates, Sara finds herself increasingly skeptical of Crooks Spring. She yearns for them to journey to California, but Isaac steadfastly refuses. She jests that he can't swim, eliciting a knowing smile from Two Moons.
Meanwhile, the Mormon Militia is at a loss, unable to trace Abish's whereabouts. They lavish rewards upon the informer, who divulges that she has fled to Red Feather. However, Hickman swiftly eliminates the informer, while Young sermonizes that the Almighty assists those who diligently strive to do what is right. He then brandishes an arrest warrant for Jim, accused of arming the Native inhabitants. The population of Bridger, a mix of Native Americans, lawbreakers, and pioneers, vastly outnumbers Young's group, forcing the Mormons to depart under threat. Samuel, Bridger's trusted confidant, ponders if this marks their downfall, but Jim retains hope. Nearby, Abish and the Shoshone tribe return to Dellinger's camp, where they find a grim scene of death awaiting them.
Inside the cabin, Sara is consumed with regret for her journey to Crooks Spring. Isaac gently reminds her that, despite her loss, she still has her son, realizing in the process that he himself has lost his family. A haunting flashback unveils the cabin as his former home, where his wife and son met their untimely demise. He had ventured as far as Salt Lake Valley while scouting for the Shoshones, but Winter Bird's refusal to relocate their settlement led to his family's tragic fate. Isaac concludes that no place is immune to danger, which is why he keeps others at a distance, fearing the recurrence of loss. Sara notices this and understands his isolation.
Elsewhere, Jacob finds solace in prayer as Red Feather drifts past him, but he fails to notice Abish accompanying them. In the tribe's camp, Abish informs Winter Bird that the Mormon Militia, vast and relentless, will annihilate them all for her sake. Resolved to surrender, she is halted by the Shoshones, who declare her as an integral part of their community. Recognizing the precariousness of their situation, they vow to stay and defend their ground.
As Devin regains consciousness in the climactic scene of American Primeval Episode 5, Isaac prepares to depart, his senses heightened as Two Moons spots lurking wolves. Sara ventures out to gather herbs for Devin's recovery, but Virgil ambushes her. His men unleash a hail of bullets at the cabin, but their ammunition soon dwindles. Isaac, driven by desperation, bursts out and slays every adversary in sight. Yet, Virgil and Sara have vanished. He interrogates a dying bounty hunter, who reveals that Virgil has abducted Sara. Without mercy, Isaac ends the bounty hunter's life.
