The Day Of The Dead – The episode opens with Billy The Kid/William H. Bonney (Tom Blyth) and his Regulators arriving at Alexander McSween’s ranch (Luke Camilleri). Once there, they learn that they are not only now learn they are wanted men, but McSween has also been summoned to appear in court on trumped-up accounting and embezzlement charges. McSween claims the charges are far too ridiculous to be taken seriously. George Coe (Brendan Fletcher) suggests leaving Lincoln County behind but Billy says he still has business in town.
Lawrence G. Murphy (Vincent Walsh) shares his doubts about McSween being convicted with John Riley (Shaun Benson). Riley agrees they can’t let him have his day in court and asks Murphy might have another solution. Murphy suggests having Sheriff Brady (Bill MacDonald) intercept him on his way to court and have him charged as an accessory to murder. They can then later use a judge on their payroll to order a hanging. Riley likes the idea but also wants to take extra precautions in case the Regulators attempt to intervene.
At a later meeting, Riley tries to convince Saturnino Baca (Zak Santiago) that now is the opportune time to push the House’s economic agenda by hosting a festival in town. Although Saturnino agrees, he notes that Riley wants to schedule the festival on the same day of McSween’s trial.
Alexander asks Charlie (Horatio James) and Manuela (Veronica Long) to wish him luck as he and Susan McSween (Lisa Chandler) ride off for court. When the McSweens are out of hearing distance, Charlie tells Manuela he’s going to follow them.
While standing guard at The Regulator’s hideout, Fred Waite (Josh Cruddas) is startled by a man urgently approaching on horseback. It turns out to be Dick Brewer (Reilly Dolman), alerting the gang that he just learned of Riley’s plan from a source inside the deputies. Billy makes a declaration to intervene and tells his men that he doesn’t expect them to join him. At first, it appears that no one wants any part of the plan until George volunteers. One by one, the others offer their help, including Tom O’Folliard (Pepe Johnson), whom Billy and George are hesitant to let tag alone.
Riley and Murphy watch the festivities kick off in town when Jesse Evans (Daniel Webber) and his deputies arrive. After thanking him for coming and informing him that Brady is on his way, he unveils the plan to arrest McSween in front of the courthouse. When he mentions the Regulators now being outlaws and should be dealt with as so, Jesse warns that it’s a mistake to write Billy off so easily. This upsets Riley and he says he’s tired of hearing how everyone thinks Billy is so much different. Riley turns his back on him when Jesse assures him Billy is different.
McSween and The Regulators separately make their way to town while Brady prepares the warrant and his men arm up. Stopping at the edge of town, The Regulators abandon their horses and continue on foot. They lay in wait behind a wall as Brady and his deputies make their march down Main Street. Once Billy guns down Brady the festivities turn into complete hysteria. On the edge of town, the McSweens notice the ruckus and are encouraged to return home by Charlie. Tom catches a bullet in his thigh when he races to Brady’s body to retrieve the warrant. Billy and a few of the Regulators manage to get him to safety without further injury. Jesse orders Buckshot Roberts (Mark Krysko) to take up a more strategic firing position, while Billy escorts Tom to McSween’s Ranch. At the ranch, Billy learns Tom’s wound is much worse than expected. Billy decides it would be best to hide him at the ranch and return for him when things die down. Charlie has now joined the shootout from the opposite side of the Regulators. From behind, he forces Jesse and his men to retreat. The Regulators also fall back to their horses and join Billy at the Ranch where they retreat as a group. Riley and several deputies show up as well but leave empty-handed, even after attempting to intimidate Susan.
Later that evening, while Jesse and Riley argue over their failure, Billy and Alex return to retrieve Tom, who is on the edge of death. The next day, Murphy presides over Brady and the three fallen deputy’s funeral, blaming everything on John Tunstall (Linus Roache) and Billy. Declaring Billy to be a killer who kills for the fun of it, Murphy manages to turn the entire town against Billy. While overseeing the burial, Riley receives an unexpected visit from Edgar Walz (Matthijs Van De Sande Bakhuyzen), who is there to express Thomas Catron’s (David Cubitt) concern about Lincoln County becoming known as the murder capital of the world. Riley assures him that everyone knows Billy is responsible and it’s just a matter of time before they track him down. Walz lets him know Catron doesn’t share that opinion and that’s why he’s hired a new sheriff.
Elsewhere, Billy and his men also learn about the new sheriff from Juan Patron (Javier Lacroix). He also tells him that a lot of the townspeople share the opinion that Billy wrongfully gunned down an innocent man trying to do his job. When Billy’s men agree it’s best to lie low for a while, Billy reminds them they are dealing with Jesse. Alone in bed later that night, a photo of Dulcinea Del Tobosco (Nuria Vega) stirs several fond memories for Billy.
The next morning when Billy joins Juan for breakfast, he is introduced to his nephew, Jose (Ivan Lopez). Jose claims that he not only knows where Jesse and the Seven Rivers Gang are, but he can lead Billy to them. After Billy quickly assembles his team, Jose leads them to tracks in a pasture. Once Billy realizes the tracks split off, he orders Juan and Charlie to take a few men and follow one set while he tracks the other. Murphy and his men are shown lying in wait on a hillside. John Beckwith (Dakota Daulby) is the first to spot Billy and his men approaching. While they quickly claim the high ground, Billy and his men spot them and are forced to dismount and take cover. Juan and his group are ambushed as well but attempt to flee on their mounts. During the chase, a low-hanging branch leaves Charlie alone and surrounded. After trading causalities, Billy and several of the men make their way up the mountain and flank Murphy’s men, forcing them to retreat. Juan and his men are now on foot in a dense forest trading shots with Jesse. Jose is one of the first casualties. Jesse gains the upper hand on the still stranded Charlie, and holds him at gunpoint, demanding the whereabouts of Billy. Shortly, Billy surprises him from behind but doesn’t take the shot. Instead, they sit on their horses at an impasse while Charlie joins Billy. Jesses tells Billy he didn’t kill the Englishman before he and Charlie ride off.
That evening, an unidentified man is shown visiting Riley. After being invited in for a drink, he’s revealed to be the new sheriff, Pat Garrett (Alex Roe).
Billy The Kid Review
Not a horrible episode. I would give it have to give it at least a 5.6 out of 10 on historical accuracy alone. (That is if the history books are to be believed.) As I’ve said before, there are so many Billy the Kid depictions that it’s incredibly hard to not have expectations going in. That said, I feel the episode and shootout was rather well done. Although it’s not the most action-packed, I can appreciate the authentic feel. The poor dialogue and some of the scenes are incredibly dark.
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