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The Best Episodes of Into the West

Every episode of Into the West ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Into the West!

Binge this in 9h 6m•Peaking at 8.2/10

The lives of two families, one white American, one native American, become mingled through the momentous events of American expansion, between 1825 and 1890.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Into the West Season 1 Episode 2 - Manifest Destiny
    8.2/10(201 votes)

    #1 - Manifest Destiny

    S1:E2

    The changes in the western frontier take their toll on the Native people. Some choose to cast their lot with the white man, while others cling to their traditional ways. Jacob Wheeler and his wife, Thunder Heart Woman, return to Virginia, but soon the promise of a new life in California entices Jacob to set out again along with his brother Jethro. The road is long and hard. Many are lost, and in the end, one brother makes the ultimate sacrifice.

    Director:Simon Wincer
    Writer:Cyrus Nowrasteh

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  2. Into the West Season 1 Episode 3 - Dreams & Schemes
    8.1/10(262 votes)

    #2 - Dreams & Schemes

    S1:E3

    Gold fever spreads throughout the land bringing thousands of prospectors to California, and leaving a wake of destruction across Lakota sacred land. Greed overtakes Jethro Wheeler, who risks his life to strike it rich. In exile, Loved By The Buffalo continues to seek the prophet who will save the Lakota and their land. Meanwhile, back east, the election of President Abraham Lincoln divides the Union.

    Director:Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
    Writer:Craig Storper

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  3. Into the West Season 1 Episode 1 - Wheel to the Stars
    8.0/10(233 votes)

    #3 - Wheel to the Stars

    S1:E1

    The year is 1827. In Virginia, young Jacob Wheeler dreams of adventure. Leaving his family behind, he joins renowned mountain man Jedediah Smith on an expedition to California. Meanwhile, a young Lakota holy man, Loved by the Buffalo, receives disturbing visions about the coming of the white man and the demise of the buffalo. When his sister, Thunder Heart Woman, is saved by Jacob, the lives of the two families become forever intertwined.

    Director:Robert Dornhelm
    Writer:William Mastrosimone

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  4. Into the West Season 1 Episode 4 - Hell on Wheels
    8.0/10(261 votes)

    #4 - Hell on Wheels

    S1:E4

    The race is on as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads lay down track across the U.S. bringing east and west together. Jacob Wheeler's one son, Abe, joins the railroad crew, while his other son Jacob Jr. becomes a scout for the army. Jacob's daughter Margaret and her photographer husband are captured by the Cheyenne, but her Lakota heritage saves them and they are adopted by the tribe. When the village is attacked by overzealous U.S. soldiers, many are murdered. Witnessing the brutality, Margaret decides to stay with her Cheyenne family.

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Kirk Ellis

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  5. Into the West Season 1 Episode 6 - Ghost Dance
    8.0/10(154 votes)

    #5 - Ghost Dance

    S1:E6

    Loved By The Buffalo believes he has found the foretold prophet when a mysterious Indian named Wokova inspires his people with the Ghost Dance and a vision of their restored land. But the ritual stirs up more fear among those who wish to contain the Indians. Sitting Bull is “accidentally” killed, further inciting the Ghost Dance rebellion, which in turn, leads to more brutality toward the Indians. As the circle closes, Loved By The Buffalo and Jacob meet again. Reunited with his family, Loved By The Buffalo resolves to pass on his Lakota traditions to the next generation so that their ways continue to live on.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:William Mastrosimone

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  6. Into the West Season 1 Episode 5 - Casualties of War
    7.9/10(162 votes)

    #6 - Casualties of War

    S1:E5

    When gold is discovered in the Black Hills, the Lakota's most sacred land is threatened. The government wants mining rights, but Chief Sitting Bull refuses. He later has an ominous dream that gives hope to the Lakota. This vision becomes reality when the ambitious General Custer and the 7th Calvary are outnumbered by Crazy Horse and his warriors at Little Big Horn. But the Lakota victory fuels hatred of the Indians among those who seek to destroy them and their culture.

    Director:Tim Van Patten
    Writer:William Mastrosimone

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Into the West

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Best Episodes Summary

"Manifest Destiny" is the best rated episode of "Into the West". It scored 8.2/10 based on 201 votes. Directed by Simon Wincer and written by Cyrus Nowrasteh, it aired on 6/17/2005. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dreams & Schemes".