HISTORY This Week – Episode Summary: "The Real Red Dead Redemption"

Release Date: September 30, 2024
Host: Sally Helm
Guest: Tori Olsen, Professor of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Production: Back Pocket Studios in partnership with the History Channel

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Real Red Dead Redemption," hosted by Sally Helm, listeners are taken on an insightful journey exploring the historical underpinnings of the immensely popular video game Red Dead Redemption 2. Featuring historian Tori Olsen, the discussion delves deep into how the game mirrors real-life events, figures, and political dynamics of the American West at the turn of the 20th century.

Setting the Scene: Abilene, Kansas and Wild Bill Hickok

The episode opens with a vivid recounting of a fictional yet historically inspired event in Abilene, Kansas, spotlighting Wild Bill Hickok—a legendary figure in Western lore. This narrative sets the stage for understanding the tensions and complexities of the Wild West, blending fact with dramatization to illustrate the game's foundation in historical reality.

Notable Quote:
Sally Helm [00:04]: "This feels like a very familiar Old west story. Sheriff, cowboys, a shootout, a saloon. But there is more going on here, just under the surface."

Historical Context: Political Dynamics of the Wild West

Tori Olsen provides a nuanced examination of the political landscape during the era depicted in Red Dead Redemption 2. She highlights the partisan conflicts, particularly between Democrats and Republicans, and their implications on law enforcement and corporate interests. This backdrop is crucial for understanding the motivations of characters in the game and their alignment with historical counterparts.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [03:52]: "Wild Bill Hickok. As with many gunslingers of his day, they are political creatures. They had very partisan affiliations and most of the time they shot people who were not of their partisan identity."

Tori Olsen's Insights on Red Dead Redemption 2

Professor Olsen discusses her unexpected journey from avid gamer to academic exploring the historical elements within Red Dead Redemption 2. She expresses her surprise at the game's depth, noting how it tackles significant historical debates such as women's suffrage and the treatment of Native Americans, diverging from the simplistic portrayals often seen in classic Westerns.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [08:43]: "I was surprisingly impressed at how frequently the game would engage with some of the very biggest dilemmas that historians have been debating for generations."

Frederick Jackson Turner's Influence

A pivotal part of the conversation revolves around Frederick Jackson Turner's seminal 1893 address, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History." Olsen explains how Turner's thesis—the idea that the American character was shaped by the taming of the frontier and that this era was coming to an end—parallels the narrative arc of the game. This theoretical framework underpins the characters' actions and the overarching theme of a closing Western frontier.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [13:33]: "Turner's concept of Western history would make a tremendous dent in American thinking."

Real-life Outlaws vs. Gaming Representation

The episode contrasts the game’s portrayal of outlaws with real historical figures like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Olsen emphasizes the complexity of these individuals beyond their criminal activities, shedding light on their political motivations and the socio-economic factors driving their actions.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [23:47]: "This is the single most powerful inspiration behind the gang in the game... The actual career of Butch Cassidy... has to be the closest inspiration in the sense that in 1899, the Wild Bunch, this gang robs a train in the small town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming."

The Pinkerton Agency: Reality vs. Game Portrayal

A deep dive into the role of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency reveals discrepancies between their historical activities and their depiction in the game. While Red Dead Redemption 2 portrays them as relentless pursuers of outlaws, historically, their primary focus by the 1890s was on suppressing labor movements and protecting corporate interests, adding a layer of complexity to their character beyond mere law enforcement.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [16:02]: "By 1899... they are primarily involved in crushing the labor movement, breaking strikes, infiltrating labor unions, trying to sabotage the growing effort of American workers to get a fair shake."

Violence in the West: Game vs. History

Olsen critiques the game's representation of violence, noting that while Red Dead Redemption 2 often glamorizes random gunfights and personal vendettas, historical violence was more politically motivated and less frequent. She argues that the game’s "honor gauge" oversimplifies the moral complexities of outlaws, reducing rich historical narratives to binary choices.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [20:22]: "It's way too violent. Right. There's only a handful of outlaws that even kill 10 people."

Conclusions and Insights

The episode concludes with reflections on how Red Dead Redemption 2 shapes contemporary understanding of the American West. Olsen posits that while the game introduces players to historical concepts and figures, it also perpetuates certain myths and oversimplifications. She advocates for a more informed engagement with history to appreciate the nuanced realities behind the game's romanticized veneer.

Notable Quote:
Tori Olsen [26:16]: "Americans are seeing this for the first time and they are not at all sure that they like it."

Additional Resources

Professor Tori Olsen's book, "Red Dead's History: A Video Game, An Obsession, and America's Violent Past," is highlighted as a comprehensive resource for those interested in exploring the intersection of video gaming and historical scholarship. The audiobook version, narrated by Roger Clark, the actor who voices Arthur Morgan, brings an immersive dimension to the historical analysis.

Notable Quote:
Sally Helm [26:55]: "Tori Olsen's book is Red Dead's History, A Video Game, An Obsession, and America's Violent Past. It's available now."

Final Notes

This episode of HISTORY This Week successfully bridges the gap between popular culture and academic history, offering listeners a deeper appreciation of how video games like Red Dead Redemption 2 can both reflect and distort historical truths. By engaging with experts like Tori Olsen, the podcast encourages a critical examination of the stories we consume and their roots in real-world events.

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