Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 Review: Andrew Garfield Struggles With Mormonism’s Dark Teachings

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 is out now! The true-crime drama miniseries is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. The story is adapted into a screenplay for television by Dustin Lance Black and directed by David Mackenzie. This episode is directed by Courtney Hunt with a teleplay by Dustin Lance Black and a runtime of over an hour.

The cast is headlined by Andrew Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre along with Sam Worthington as Ron Lafferty, Daisy Edgar-Jones as Brenda Lafferty, Denise Gough as Dianna Lafferty, Wyatt Russell as Dan Lafferty, Billy Howle as Allen Lafferty, Chloe Pirrie as Matilda Lafferty, Seth Numrich as Robin Lafferty, Adelaide Clemens as Rebecca Pyre, Rory Culkin as Samuel Lafferty, Sandra Seacat as Josie Pyre and Gil Birmingham as Detective Bill Taba.

– Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 Review Contains No Spoilers –

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4: Church and State

After getting the potential hit-list from Robin in the previous episode, we see Jeb and Taba rush to the Lows’ household only to find it broken into and the Lows missing. This makes an addition to the case of the murdered Brenda. Although our detectives are not successful in locating the Lows, they do get a lead on the Laffertys that solidifies their case more, leading them to one to two major suspects.

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 explores the fundamentalist approach Dan had towards the LDS teachings with one of them being polygamy and how it was a potential way to lead to God’s Celestial Kingdom. We see Dan’s father and others around trying to bring Dan on the right path but, as Dan gets more into the dark teachings of the Mormon Church from the past the farther he seems to get from reality and life.

Apart from Dan, the episode also takes an interest in Ron Lafferty and establishes his involvement in the story. From the start, we have seen Ron not be an active member of the family. However, in the fourth episode, we see Ron’s shift from isolation to leadership, coaxed by Dan. As the story progress, Jeb Pyre struggles with everything he knows about his Church and religion. There’s also external pressure put on Jeb to keep his curious thoughts at bay or, as they put it in the show, keep them “on the shelf”. With more insight and information about Ron and Dan surfacing, we can finally circle the suspects.

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The fourth episode of Under the Banner of Heaven is filled with stellar performances from Wyatt Russell and Andrew Garfield. We have been seeing Russell in brief segments prior to this. However, in the fourth episode, we find scenes dedicated to Russell’s Dan reciting from the holy script just like a maniac preacher to being manipulative towards his brother when the time comes. Andrew Garfield’s Jeb faces a conflict so impactful and important for the show that we see Garfield’s face portray an array of emotions, even without a single dialogue.

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4: Final Thoughts

Well, Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 finally gives us some solid leads to move forward with the case. How different teachings and views of Mormonism are highlighted, both good and bad, throughout the episode is commendable as there is a balance without preaching or shaming the religion. However, the preview of the episode put pressure on the idea of blood atonement which still remains to be explored.

You can watch Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 4 now on Hulu. To read our reviews of the previous episodes, click here.

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