Saints & Strangers

Episode 1

Episode #1.1

Sun, Nov 22, 201596 mins

Merchant Adventurers Company of London ship Mayflower was to bring 102 poor settlers to king James Stuart's embryonic Virginia colony, but due to storm damage it sort of strands on the northern-more coast, luckily near a natural harbor. The horrible voyage with scurvy and exhausted supplies exacted a heavy tool, even among the crew which looked down upon the emigrants, a mix of poverty-driven adventurers and Holland-exiled protestant fanatics. The latter Puritan group's preacher leader, William Standish, is elected governor when they agree to stick to their colonial contract with the chartered Company, by setting up a novel settlement from scratch, New Plymouth after their port of start. It's hard work, despite good land, and everyone worries as much about the surrounding Indian tribes. Those 'savages' prove proud and duly mistrusting, yet after mediation from Squanto, last of his people and the sole interpreter as he learned English visiting Europe, forgiving for the invaders' initial desecration and seeding maize (corn) theft. The tribes are deeply divided, and squabble over handling the overseas whites as well, who meanwhile enjoy fairly amiable neighborliness, although both sides remain mistrusting and insecure.