The Agony – The episode opens with Sheriff Brady (Bill MacDonald) and several deputies delivering a legal writ to close John Tunstall’s (Linus Roache) Merchant Shop. Inside the store, Dick Brewer (Reilly Dolman) sees the men coming and sends Sam (Sevastianos Kastrinos) racing off after Alexander McSween (Luke Camilleri). Brewer tries to use his position as Deputy to delay the order while Brady and his men order the shoppers out. Brady also informs Brewer that his position as Deputy has been rescinded by District Attorney Thomas Catron (David Cubitt). McSween arrives as Brewer is surrendering his badge and accuses Brady of taking bribes. Brady reminds him that he’s also being investigated for selling illegal goods and recommends keeping his mouth shut. Later, Brewer and McSween, along with Billy The Kid/William H. Bonney and his men (Tom Blyth) race to tell Tunstall that Brady plans on seizing his horses the following morning. When asked his opinion, Brewer tells Tunstall it’s his decision. Billy suggests they defend the property. Tunstall agrees and orders one of them to ride into Lincoln to alert Juan Patron (Javier Lacroix). Billy orders Tom O’Folliard (Pepe Johnson) to go collect Charlie Bowdre (Horatio James) and George Coe (Brendan Fletcher) before asking McSween if he wants a gun. He turns down the offer, citing his background as a pastor for the reason. Tunstall orders him to return home.
John Middleton (Tom Carey) along with his men waste little time setting up barricades and blocking the entrance to Tunstall Ranch before night settles in. Billy leaves the men drinking and gambling in the main room to have a private word with Tunstall. Tunstall claims that growing up his father would set unachievable expectations for him so that when he failed, he could scold him. He admits he still wants to make him proud. Billy assures him he’s done that, but Tunstall isn’t so sure. After some silent consideration, Tunstall goes on to admit that he’s not yet ready to have men dying in his name. He proposes buying time by moving the horses to another ranch he recently purchased.
The next morning, Tunstall watches from the porch as Billy and his men rush to wrangle and lead the horses away. He orders George and another of his men to hang back for fear that Brady might try to follow them. Once a safe distance away from the ranch, Billy shares his Irish background with Tunstall. Billy mentions being dirt poor and seeking riches in New York to only end up in worse condition when his father, Patrick McCarty (Joey Batey ), got sick and gave up along the “Wagon Trail.” Tunstall assures Billy that he will never let him down.
Led by Jesse Evans (Daniel Webber), the sheriff’s posse arrives to find the ranch abandoned. A quick debate about how to proceed ensues, with Frank Baker (Ian Tracey) suggesting the consult Brady. Jesse and John Beckwith’s (Dakota Daulby) opinion that they take the law into their own hands wins. They pick up fresh tracks in a nearby field.
Elsewhere, George catches up with Billy and the others to announce they haven’t been followed. His arrival spooks a group of birds and after admiring them fly away, the men decide to hunt them for lunch. Billy attempts to stay behind with Tunstall and the horses but is encouraged to join them. Trailing behind the others, Billy and Tom joke about whether or not they’ll be eating when gunshots ring out. Dismounting and seeking refuge behind a huge boulder, Billy soon uncovers they’re being pursued by Jesse and his posse. After eliminating one of the pursuers with his rifle, he races to aid Tunstall who is now facing off with the sheriff’s posse. Billy arrives too late and blames himself for Tunstall’s execution.
Much later that day at the town bar, Jesse relays the news to Brady. Jesse makes sure to mention he and his men had the legal authority to seize Tunstall’s horses while also claiming they feared for their lives. Brady appears to realize his clever ruse and chides him for smirking. He assures him there will dire consequences for what he’s done, so don’t be so happy about it.
There appears to be an eerie silence as Billy and his men return to Tunstall’s body to the ranch. After respectfully laying the corpse in the main room, Billy promises Tunstall as much as himself that he’ll avenge him or die trying. The atmosphere in town is the exact opposite as Jesse and his men celebrate the night away. John Riley (Shaun Benson) causes a ruckus when he delivers a ranting dedication speech to Major Murphy (Vincent Walsh).
The next day in town, Jesse and several of the deputies meet Edgar Walz (Matthijs Van De Sande Bakhuyzen) when they stop an approaching carriage. Edgar smugly claims to represent Thomas Catron and says he’s scheduled for a meeting with Riley. Upon learning Jesse’s identity, Edgar says he’s heard tales of Jesse being a dangerous man. Edgar alludes to always needing dangerous men before heading to the meeting. At the meeting, Walz conveys Catron’s gratitude over Tunstall’s death but reminds Riley his debt is not free and clear. Walz adds that Catron now has reason to suspect Billy might be a real threat to Riley and the house. Irate, Riley attempts to assure him that Billy is of no concern and demands a little respect. Instead, Walz gives him a contract listing his Lincoln County debts and says Catron will give him $25,000 and three months to repay the loan. If he defaults the holdings will be surrendered. When Riley grows livid, Walz reminds him that he once told him there was no sentiment in business. He also laughingly suggests putting an end to the war and signing the contract. Riley signs. After Walz leaves, Murphy joins Riley and chides him for getting involved with such a ruthless man like Catron. Still livid, Riley pulls his six-shooter and claims he doesn’t need the advice of a “stupid old drunk.” A mocking Murphy points out how much of a mistake it would be to shoot him.
McSween presides over Tunstall’s funeral while a soaring bird overhead causes Billy to remember his father’s death. Once Tunstall is laid to rest, the mourners return to the farm where McSween tries to encourage a legal pursuit of Tunstall’s murderers. Respectfully, Billy claims there is no law and they must take action into their own hands. Brewer agrees and adds they need to establish a fighting force to take the fight to the house. Charlie is the next to agree and suggests referring to the force as “The Regulators” since their goal is to set right an intolerable or illegal situation. Everyone quickly agrees, including Billy, who also vows to lead the men. Meanwhile, McSween continues to convince them to take a less violent approach. He says that a violent response will only lead to more bloodshed. Billy says, “Then let there be more bloodshed.”
Later, Billy visits Dulcinea Tobosco (Nuria Vega) and meets her brother, Yginio (Guilherme Babilonia) in the process. Yginio appears to be against the two of them speaking alone. Defying his wishes, she and Billy end up alone in the study and making up. It doesn’t take her long to sense something is on his mind and pries the truth from him. He claims that he has no option but to pursue Tunstall’s murderer and deliver justice. He says he doesn’t expect her blessing but needs her to at least understand. She doesn’t and Billy leaves with her in tears.
While in town, John Beckwith is drawn to an unseen voice coming from a barn, identifying itself as Tom O’Folliard and claiming to have information to share about Billy. Beckwith approaches armed and with caution, but ends up ambushed from behind by Billy when Tom reveals himself. It takes some convincing and the threat of death to get Beckwith to reveal Tunstall’s killers. Billy returns to the farm where he shares the identities with George and Charlie. George seems suspicious that Jesse’s name isn;t included with Frank Baker, Morton (Quentin Schneider), and Bob Olinger (Sean Owen Roberts). Billy suggests seeing what “legal” progress McSween has made before deciding their next move. Visiting McSween at nightfall, Billy learns that Judge Wilson (David LeReaney) was able to return ownership of the Merchant’s store to Tunstall, but Governor Axtell intervened with the criminal charges. Billy claims he’s not surprised by the corruption before encourages McSween and his wife Sue (Lisa Chandler) to leave town. Billy says all this started when they stole Tunstall’s horses, and that’s where it should end. George claims Jesse’s gang and the horses with Morton.
The next day, Billy and The Regulators ride to Morton’s property. Baker and Morton spot them approaching for a distance and a chase ensues. After their horses are disabled, Morton and Baker attempt to take cover in high grass and shoot it. Brewer and Morton end up laying down their arms and surrendering, but Billy executes them anyway and claims to be the law in Lincoln.
Billy The Kid Review
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with this episode. There are so many retellings of the Billy The Kid saga, that it’s hard to not have expectations going in. I’d say this episode far exceeded mine, in part because of the murders. Although quick and not unexpected, the actors and creators did an excellent job of making them seem cold and calculating. At least it felt that way for me. I’d give the episode a 5.3 out of 10.
Tunstall’s death probably means the series will end after this season. Get more Billy The Kid recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to discuss the latest TV shows, celebrity news, and movies.
