I'm not sure what to make of these reviews. They're watching a crime drama in which there's a gruesome murder and a beheaded baby, and they're complaining about murdering dogs and squirrels.
11 Reviews
I don't understand these reviews
Shayan4652 May 2022
In need of a safe space....
slak96u5 June 2022
So the LDS have an issue with the show because they dislike having a light shown on various details of the church, minor errors, and their lifestyle. The PETA folk are freaking out about a simulated dog killing, in which zero dogs were harmed, with what was obviously a prop. Anyways...
I could do without the Joseph Smith flashbacks, it's unnecessary and preachy. It all feels very History channel, with those terrible live action documentaries. It's a bad plot device, filled with biased agenda. Otherwise, the episode was fine, nothing too compelling.
I could do without the Joseph Smith flashbacks, it's unnecessary and preachy. It all feels very History channel, with those terrible live action documentaries. It's a bad plot device, filled with biased agenda. Otherwise, the episode was fine, nothing too compelling.
Solid but could be better
Mesina0229 August 2022
The first episode was a good start to the show but I feel as though that momentum slowly diminished when it came to the second episode. The story gets quite interesting when it doesn't get bogged down by those flashback sequences. The investigation itself is what keeps the story going, it's only when they have to explain how things lead to where it is now that I had a bit of trouble keeping up with. Not a problem at all but something I have to constantly think about when it comes to it. I still like the direction of where the show is going but I do think the repetitiveness of going back and forth between past and present is what's going to be on my mind looking ahead.
The reviews, honestly...
michael-0431326 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I'm only writing this because of the reviews regarding animal violence.
They're saying don't watch this because animal violence; skip the scene, because animal violence. NO! It's part of the story. Allen tells of an important piece of character development for Ron, regarding the traumatizing story of his dog being beaten. Again, Allen recounts a story of a dog being killed (the dog has a 1.5-2 second clip of a rope around a dog's neck; the dog is shot later and it's not even onscreen; the dog wasn't even innocent, it killed another man's means of business: his livestock) for mauling a sheep back when Joseph was founding the Church of LDS. If you skip it, you will be lost in this episode.
Would you have preferred to see a decapitated infant????? Just watch the show, and take in the dialogue, editing, shot composition. Make your judgements when the last episode's credits role.
They're saying don't watch this because animal violence; skip the scene, because animal violence. NO! It's part of the story. Allen tells of an important piece of character development for Ron, regarding the traumatizing story of his dog being beaten. Again, Allen recounts a story of a dog being killed (the dog has a 1.5-2 second clip of a rope around a dog's neck; the dog is shot later and it's not even onscreen; the dog wasn't even innocent, it killed another man's means of business: his livestock) for mauling a sheep back when Joseph was founding the Church of LDS. If you skip it, you will be lost in this episode.
Would you have preferred to see a decapitated infant????? Just watch the show, and take in the dialogue, editing, shot composition. Make your judgements when the last episode's credits role.
Warning for dog lovers!
sujensen-129 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
About 20 minutes into this episode there is an awful and gruesome scene that depicts the brutal killing of a dog in the early days of the church, intended as a lesson about trusting the word of God. I think this was based on a real incident that happened when the Lafferty boys were young and their dad wanted to teach them a lesson. The scene lasts for about 5-10 minutes. If you are an animal lover, skip it.
The history lesson is tiresome and contrived
richiehodev1 October 2022
So far, this show shines when it's able to convey the humanity of its characters: Pyre's character in his growing doubt in his beliefs and repulsion in the unfolding events of the Lafferty Family, Ron and Brenda's steadfast commitment to love each other despite their familial differences.
But whenever the writers decide that it's time to delve into another history lesson of the Mormon religion and the origins of its founders, it's when the show falls flat. These historical events, freely slipped in and out during a conversation without any precontext, feels clumsy and becomes wearisome. To someone who doesn't practice Mormonism and have no context of the LDS, these scenes only serve to further muddle the story.
But whenever the writers decide that it's time to delve into another history lesson of the Mormon religion and the origins of its founders, it's when the show falls flat. These historical events, freely slipped in and out during a conversation without any precontext, feels clumsy and becomes wearisome. To someone who doesn't practice Mormonism and have no context of the LDS, these scenes only serve to further muddle the story.
Animal violence needs to be dialed back
thempark7828 April 2022
Animal violence unnecessary
matthewgkeller23 May 2022
The need to add in violence against animals is unnecessary to tell a story. While this is a crime story, hearing a dog being tortured and seeing blood without warning is traumatizing and triggering. There was no warning at all.
Historical flashbacks worse than episode 1
brent-451721 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The historical flashbacks in this episode were worse than those in episode 1. The stuff about Joseph Smith's interactions with a rancher who killed a dog and Ammon Lafferty's killing the family pet are disconnected, at best and disturbing.
The scrip writers should stick to telling the Lafferty story without the feeble attempt to somehow make a tie between the Lafferty family dysfunction and Latter-day Saint historical figures. It's like trying to link killer Dan White's crimes to the Catholic Crusades. They are disconnected events.
There's also this bizarre implications in the series that Latter-day Saints have a prejudice against Native Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Native Americans make up a large portion of Latter-day Saint membership.
There's no reason to focus Detective Pyre's religious practice. To let the audience know he's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fine, but the rest doesn't add to the story about the murders.
If they were to remove all that, it would make for a good single episode 90-minute movie.
The scrip writers should stick to telling the Lafferty story without the feeble attempt to somehow make a tie between the Lafferty family dysfunction and Latter-day Saint historical figures. It's like trying to link killer Dan White's crimes to the Catholic Crusades. They are disconnected events.
There's also this bizarre implications in the series that Latter-day Saints have a prejudice against Native Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Native Americans make up a large portion of Latter-day Saint membership.
There's no reason to focus Detective Pyre's religious practice. To let the audience know he's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fine, but the rest doesn't add to the story about the murders.
If they were to remove all that, it would make for a good single episode 90-minute movie.
Animal Horror Story
fashionvictoria2 May 2022
Absolutely unnecessary to the story and makes me wanna stop watching. Completely gratuitous to absolutely no sane person. The dog, the squirrel... Does it need to be so graphic and offensive? I'm no dainty Karen, but I also know that I want focus on the story, not the blood.
unnecessary animal violence....!
nemecic17 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode features a scene where a dog was tortured and shot.. however, during the first episode we dont get to see the way that the wife and baby was killed... so much for a nice directorial view, right?
....................................................................................................... But we don't mind watching an innocent animal getting tortured? No. For me it was a pointless take, for a point in the plot that could have been made elsewise and avoid animal cruelty altogether. I understand that it's supposed to take place in the days of old but i mean, come on... if you want to use such tricks for shock value at least go all the way and include human on human violence as well.
....................................................................................................... But we don't mind watching an innocent animal getting tortured? No. For me it was a pointless take, for a point in the plot that could have been made elsewise and avoid animal cruelty altogether. I understand that it's supposed to take place in the days of old but i mean, come on... if you want to use such tricks for shock value at least go all the way and include human on human violence as well.
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