A devout detective's faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder that seems to be connected to an esteemed Utah family's spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government.
The best episode of "Under the Banner of Heaven" season 1 is "When God Was Love", rated 7.5/10 from 1613 user votes. It was directed by David Mackenzie and written by Dustin Lance Black. "When God Was Love" aired on 4/28/2022 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Rightful Place".
Detectives Jeb Pyre and Bill Taba investigate the brutal, sinister murders of an LDS woman, Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter in Utah’s typically serene Salt Lake Valley in 1984.
Director: David Mackenzie
Writer: Dustin Lance Black
With a lead suspect in custody, the investigation uncovers more ominous questions than answers as the hidden history of the once admired Lafferty family is exposed.
Director: David Mackenzie
Writer: Dustin Lance Black
The ongoing investigation leads Pyre and Taba into untrod woods where they unearth information that challenges Pyre's own faith, and draw more Laffertys into suspicion and custody.
Director: Courtney Hunt
Writer: N/A
The investigation intensifies after Pyre uncovers details of the Lafferty family's fundamentalist beliefs, sparking a search for missing Lafferty brothers, Ron and Dan, and putting Pyre at odds with his own church leaders.
Director: Courtney Hunt
Writer: Gina Welch
With evidence now pointing squarely toward fundamentalist Mormonism, Pyre turns to LDS Church leaders for guidance but is met with roadblocks. Undeterred, he discovers a list of names Brenda's killers plan to murder next.
Director: Dustin Lance Black
Writer: Brandon Boyce
New details emerge about Brenda's attempt to reckon with some of the Lafferty family's most extreme members and beliefs, as Pyre and Taba hunt for those who killed Brenda before they can kill again.
Director: Isabel Sandoval
Writer: N/A
As the details of the murders become clear, Pyre and Taba embark on an interstate manhunt, hoping to catch the killers before they complete their list of those to be "blood atoned."
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Writer: Dustin Lance Black, Brandon Boyce