FX on Hulu’s crime series ‘Under the Banner of Heaven,’ based on a true story, follows Detective Jeb Pyre as he investigates the murders of Brenda Lafferty and her daughter Erica Lafferty. To solve the case, Pyre arrests Brenda’s husband and Erica’s father, Allen Lafferty. The first and second episodes of the true-crime series, named ‘When God Was Love’ and ‘Rightful Place,’ describe the interrogation of major suspects, Brenda’s life before her death, and the presence of Mormonism among the suspects and their families, respectively. We took a close look at the cliffhanger at the end of the second episode since it piqued our interest. Let us express ourselves! WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Recap of Episodes 1 and 2 of Under the Banner of Heaven

Detective Jeb Pyre inspects the crime scene of Brenda Lafferty and her daughter Erica’s murders in the first episode. Pyre emerges from the residence after the primary examination to find Allen Lafferty in blood-soaked clothes. Pyre arrests Allen and interrogates him alongside Detective Bill Taba. Bill expresses his doubts that Allen is the murderer, only for Allen to deny it and accuse a gang of LDS Church members of murdering his wife and child. He also mentions that his brothers may be in danger if the group is targeting his family.

Allen also tells Pyre that the LDS Church is promoting hazardous views among its members. Brenda met Allen shortly before her death, and he introduced her to his family. Brenda’s free personality and ambition to become a television news anchor are rejected outright by the Laffertys, a devout Mormon family. Detective Bill travels to the home of Allen’s brother Robin to ensure his safety. However, he enters an empty house with numerous materials on fire. Bill and Pyre decide to arrest him after becoming suspicious. They track him down in a motel, pursue him, and eventually arrest him.

The second episode, titled ‘Rightful Place,’ begins with Pyre and Bill speaking to Allen and Brenda’s neighbor. She informs the cops that on the day of the murder, she saw four strange individuals who matched Allen’s description in and near the couple’s compound. Before the killings, Dan Lafferty takes over as head of the household after the Lafferty brothers’ father and mother leave for a church mission. Robin cautions Allen against establishing a relationship with Brenda because her lifestyle does not appear to be consistent with their family values. Matilda, Dan’s wife, informs Brenda that she is no longer able to hear voices or see visions of God, which perplexes the latter.

Episode 2 of Under the Banner of Heaven: Did Robin Murder Brenda? Why is he warning Pyre?

Robin did not murder Brenda. Allen’s suspicion that his siblings were involved in Brenda and Erica’s killings convinces Pyre that all of the Lafferty brothers must be interrogated. He goes to visit Robin and asks if his officers will be in danger if they investigate the brothers, to which he replies in the positive. He threatens Pyre that if his brothers continue to annoy the Lafferty family, they may cause harm to his police. The Laffertys see law enforcement, such as the police, as opposing forces to God’s wishes and the believers’ agreements. Government rules, whether concerning murder, taxation, or even traffic, do not apply to Mormons, who follow God’s rules.

When Pyre and his officers begin their inquiry into the Laffertys, they see it as an interference into their holy lives. They reject the authority of man-made laws and intend to replace them with “the rules of the heavenly Father.” Even the investigation, according to Robin and his brothers, is a ploy for the government to destroy their religious organization and beliefs. As a result, they feel they have the right to hurt anyone who violates their “made in heaven” regulations. Robin uses the example of Joseph Smith to demonstrate how the government and their laws have harmed their beliefs, prompting people to respond.

Pyre is convinced that Robin and his brothers are involved in the crime because of their aggression and justification of the potential harm they may inflict on police officers. The detective believes that Brenda’s liberated lifestyle, which contradicted the family’s religious beliefs, may have prompted Robin to murder her. Robin, on the other hand, did not murder her. Robin’s hostility toward Pyre is his reaction as a fundamentalist, not as a killer. His fury is directed at the police’s efforts to disrespect “God’s standards” and their desire to enforce their laws.

What’s going on in the Cabin in the Woods?

Bill resumes his investigation in the neighboring woods after detaining Robin. The reports of gunfire in the area pique the detective’s interest, and he begins inspecting the area for any possible clues or leads connected to the murders. When he arrives to a cabin, he notices a hole in the front wall and a gun pointing at him. Bill verifies that someone is hiding out in the cabin, anticipating threats. The guy in the cabin could be one of the Lafferty brothers, hiding to avoid capture like Robin. Most likely, the person is one of Allen’s brothers, Ron or Dan.

Since Robin has been captured, Ron, Dan, or both of them may be hiding in the woods to avoid future arrests. Ron and Dan may be aware that the authorities will pursue them, especially following Allen’s arrest. Because Allen is aware of their disdain for Brenda, the family’s eldest son and head must be expecting their brother to report the same to the authorities. Robin’s arrest may have verified their fears that they would be apprehended.

Ron and Dan are the two most prominent and important members of their family, thus a police inquiry is unavoidable. They, like Robin, must be attempting to flee “man-made rules” that are hunting them. If this is the case, Pyre and Bill may understand that Brenda and Erica’s killings were not motivated by Allen’s alleged jealousy.