If the previous episode ofUnder the Banner of Heavenwas devoted to Dan (Wyatt Russell), then the latest episode, “One Mighty And Strong,” explores Ron (Sam Worthington). In fact, the episode is named for him. Much of the episode is dedicated to Ron’s evolution throughout the series thus far. Once considered the Lafferty family’s black sheep for his construction business, Ron was goaded back into the family’s fold by Dan previously. “One Mighty And Strong” is an examination of how much Ron has changed, setting the series’ final episodes into motion.
ThroughoutUnder the Banner of Heaven,there is a three-fold layer to its story. It aims to connect the origin of Mormonism, memories of the Lafferty family, and the present setting of solving Brenda (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Erika’s murders to establish motive. Up until this point, some of the historical scenes have made the series feel slightly disjointed at times. There are a few elements in play in “One Mighty And Strong,” and one of them seems to finally offer credibility for the historical scenes by connecting the figures to its core characters.
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Under the Banner of Heaven’shistorical episodes have largely focused on Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. The evolution of Joseph’s own morals and the trials he suffered have been punctuating points for the Laffertys in their interrogation scenes with Detectives Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) and Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham). Robin (Seth Numrich), Sam (Rory Culkin), and Allen (Billy Howle) have all used the knowledge of their scripture in their conversations to appeal to Pyre’s own understanding of Mormon faith. Many of these interpretations of their scripture have rocked Pyre’s once firm idea of his beliefs, and “One Mighty And Strong” is a further testament to that. Taba serves as the perfect balance to Pyre, as a non-Mormon, offering questions that Pyre may not want to ask himself, and he is exactly whatUnder the Banner of Heavenneeds.
The previous episode ofUnder the Banner of Heavenincludes Joseph’s initial advocation for polygamy. As a parallel, Dan floats the idea past his wife Matilda (Chloe Pirrie) who meets the idea with the same disgust as Joseph’s wife, Emma. “One Mighty And Strong” reveals that Dan and Ron had both been excommunicated by the church. Each brother’s ex-communication occurs for its own reason andDan’s is undoubtedly the most twisted. To further his pursuit of polygamy, Dan proposes that he take his stepdaughters who are 12 and 14 years of age as additional wives. The idea rightfully brings Matilda to nauseating tears, forcing her to help her daughters escape. It’s a heartbreaking scene made increasingly disgruntling by the action members of the church continue to go to in order to stall Pyre and Taba’s investigation.
The beliefs of Ron and Dan Lafferty rightfully appear far-fetchedin a modern setting. The degree to which they are willing to follow their scripture and to believe they are bigger than man is unsettling. When combined with the Mormon influence within the Utah town and the devotedness that these other people in the community demonstrate toward their faith, Taba becomes the needed embodiment of those who are not Mormon. His lack of affiliation with the church allows him to ask questions that those within the church would be too stubborn to propose. When Bishop Low reveals he placed Matilda’s daughters with a family rather than calling Child Protective Services only to have them run away, andnot involve the policein a known case of domestic violence between Ron and Dianna, Taba is the one to point out the harm in their choices and teachings.
The Laffertys are bonded by family and faith. After Ron is outcast by his wife and children and excommunicated by the church, it’s fitting that he returns home to his own mother. In her, Ron finds comfort and a newfound confidence. She calls him, “the one mighty and strong,” placing him at the top of the Lafferty family both physically in her own eyes, and mentally in Ron’s mind. In glimpses into the family’s past,Under the Banner of Heavenhas shown the fear Ammon (Christopher Heyerdahl) instills in his family. His verbal and physical abuse has taken a toll on his sons and if the effects of his abuse and pressure haven’t been evident inUnder the Banner of Heavenenough, “One Mighty And Strong” shows it plainly.
In the most memorable scene of “One Mighty And Strong,” Ron sits at Ammon’s bedside and with his newfound confidence, refuses his father’s pleas for care. Ron recounts the abuse his family has suffered at Ammon’s hands and reminds him of his own words that those beatings put them closer to Heavenly Father. When Ammon asks for a doctor, Ron callously replies, “there will be no doctor, so why don’t you try and pray?” Any kudos for Ron stepping out of his father’s abusive shadow isstalled by the ironyof his treatment toward his own family.
“One Mighty And Strong” provides much-needed clarity on the connection between the scenes involving Joseph and Emma and the Lafferty family. The latter part of “One Mighty And Strong” is devoted to making this clear. In Allen’s proposition that Brigham Young is partly to blame for Joseph’s death, the episode’s focus on Ron begins to make sense. The confidence Young’s betrayal gives him,personifies itself in Ron. Pyre even goes as far to say that Ron has begun to view himself as Latter-Day Brigham Young. Given the nature of the crimeUnder the Banner of Heavenonly has two more episodes to solve, these episodes dedicated to showing the growing instability of both Dan and Ron is setting up the series’ final episodes in a worthwhile way.
The first five episodes ofUnder the Banner of Heavenare now streaming on Hulu.
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