Part II – The episode opens in Van Buren, Arkansas in 1875, with Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) burning his failed corn patch. Bass questions if the Almighty is angry at him. Jennie Reeves (Lauren E. Banks) suggests he is teaching him that farming takes patience. He assures her that patience will not make them any money before vowing to not quit.

Bass plows his land when Deputy U.S. Marshall Sherrill Lynn (Dennis Quaid) approaches on a horse. He informs Bass of One Charlie killing Deputy Horace Lee while he was being served a warrant for “introduction of whiskey”. Sherrill admits to taking Horace’s death personally. Bass assures him that lawmen have dangerous jobs. Sherrill says they received word of One Charlie staying with his ferocious wife. Bass suggests he is in need of someone familiar with the Choctaw. Sherrill claims Judge Parker (Donald Sutherland) approved Bass to join his posse. Bass declines his offer.

Bass admits their land, children, and her are everything to him. Jennie points out that Sherrill addressed him by name when he offered him an opportunity. He reminds her that Sherrill is a white man with a gun. She says a gun is nothing more than an “instrument,” it is more about the person playing it. He tells her that she has only seen him shoot fowl. She boasts of him never wasting a bullet. He claims to be content with being a farmer. She questions his claim.

Sherrill welcomes Bass to the lawless Dead Line.

In town, Jennie looks at a used piano through a window Edwin Jones (Grantham Coleman) approaches. He asks if she plays. She suggests he wants something from her. He expresses his desire for Black people to have a state of their own. She assures him that Heaven is the only paradise before entering the shop.

Sherrill and Bass approach an abandoned Commonwealth Bible Society wagon. Bass gets a closer look to see a dying preacher (Johnny Reno) inside the wagon when they come under fire by three quickly approaching riders. Bass fires his rifle to take down one of the men before firing again to take down another rider. Racing toward the rider, Sherrill kills him. Sherrill returns to check the man’s pockets while Bass prays for the deceased man. Sherrill questions Bass’ faith in a Lord who allowed him to be in chains for half of his life. Bass reminds him that man created the chains. Looking at the deceased preacher, Sherrill says that is where hope got him. Bass assures him that it doesn’t hurt to pray but Sherrill disagrees. Later, Bass buries the preacher.

Eating from a can, Sherrill warns Bass that food is often scarce out there. Bass offers to find him something better to eat than crow for an additional $5. Sherrill asks him to demonstrate “savage” magic. Bass assures him that native Indians are no different than them. Sherrill says they are all “thieves” and “killers” but Bass disagrees. He claims the Indians killed most of the passengers aboard the J.R. Williams on the Arkansas River. He explains how a “red ba**ard” nearly killed him. Bass says it is difficult to leave hate behind. Sherrill denies trying.

Sherrill tells Bass that One Charlie is one-of-a-kind. At a house, Bass announces the purpose of their visit to serve a warrant in Choctaw. When no one comes to the door, Sherrill shoots off the doorknob before entering to find himself face-to-face with an armed Nita (Crystle Lightning). Sherrill puts his pistol away while Nita cocks her shotgun when Bass asks where is One Charlie. She says he isn’t there. After convincing her to put down the rifle, Bass pushes Sherrill out the door. Looking at her housekeeping, Bass believes she lives alone. He vows to catch One Charlie. She claims to have been paying her cousin’s debts for way too long. He gives her money before leaving.

Jennie and Sally Reeves (Demi Singleton) watch as a wagon approaches with her piano. Arthur Mayberry (Lonnie Chavis) and Jenny stare at each other. Jennie orders her to go inside and Arthur to get to work.

Sherrill warns that Nita is probably leading them into ambush but Bass refutes the idea. Approaching their destination, they spot One Charlie running into a house. Both men seek refuge behind a wagon. The man shoots at them. A shootout ensues with Sherrill getting hit in the arm. Sherrill covers for Bass while he races to the back of the house. Bass tries to convince Charlie to come out but he refuses. After treating his wound with whiskey, Sherrill throws two Molotov cocktails in the window. Bass busts in the back door as Charlie, who is on fire, emerges through the front door. Bass shoots him in the head. Sherrill suggests it is “one less Charlie”.

Jennie checks Alice Reeves (Saveah Goodson), Harriet Reeves (Sanaya Goodson), Newland Reeves (Sekou Goodson), and Sally. Hearing an animal lowing, she grabs her shotgun and goes outside to see three wolves eating her calf. She fires a shot into the air before putting the calf out of its misery.

Bass cauterizes Sherrill’s wound with a hot knife. Sherrill tells him that it is sometimes necessary to be “judge, jury, and executioner”. He continues ranting until Bass punches him. As Bass saddles his horse, Sherrill threatens to keep his pay if he leaves. Bass asks if he likes who he is before riding away.

Jennie repairs the corral when Arthur approaches offering to fix her piano. She demands he stay away until Sally is older.

Bass informs Nita of Charlie’s difficult death. He says Charlie deserved the right to appear in court. She tells him that Charlie flirted with death every day before thanking him for trying.

Jennie says the mistress on the plantation taught her to play piano. She urges Sally to always keep something that only belongs to her. Later, Bass returns home to find Jennie educating their children. She tells him about buying the piano on credit. He admits to hitting Sherrill.

Bass plows the fields when Sherrill and two deputies arrive. Sherrill tells Bass that he wouldn’t change anything about One Charlie’s death. He says Judge Parker wants Charlie to be a Deputy U.S. Marshall. Charlie assures him that he can do it. Later, Bass and Jennie discuss Sally’s future as the episode ends.

 

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Review

After losing his crop, Bass is offered to join Sherrill’s posse. Initially refusing the offer, he is convinced by Jennie to become a posse man. Bass and Sherrill start their search for a wanted fugitive, One Charlie, at Nita’s house. When Nita refuses to open the door, Sherrill shoots off the doorknob. Bass convinces her to tell him where Charlie is hiding out. He gives her money for the trouble they caused. Bass scrutinizes the way Sherrill handled the situation.

Sherrill and Bass find Charlie’s hideout. A shootout results in Sherrill getting shot in the arm. Bass tries to convince Charlie to surrender but he refuses. Sherrill sets the house and Charlie on fire with Molotov cocktails. Bass puts Charlie out of his misery. Sherrill believes Charlie isn’t worth wasting a bullet on. Disagreeing with the way Sherrill handled Charlie’s arrest, Bass resigns from being a posse but punches him first. He tells Nita that Charlie’s death was difficult. She thanks him for trying to make a difference.

While Bass is away, Jennie acquires a used piano on credit. Bass vows to find a way to pay for the piano. Judge Parker appoints him as a Deputy U.S. Marshall.

 

A typical Taylor Sheridan series. Sheridan’s ability to juggle multiple projects at once has become obvious through his latest failures. “Tulsa King” and “1883” were DOA while “Mayor of Kingstown” ended after the second season. Paramount Plus previously announced “1923” will be axed after season 2.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves will most likely be added to the list. The writing is juvenile at best. It is questionable why Paramount+ chose to utilize foreign actors for American and Native Indian roles. The unbelievable acting and poor Southern accents are proof that the actors are out of their element.

The cinematography is hit-and-miss. It would have been nice to see more of Texas’ extraordinary landscape.

The show portrays Old Charlie’s wife as “fiercer than Mother Nature.” Nita is Charlie’s cousin, not his wife. Charlie had been taking advantage of her for a long time.

 

The episode deserves a 5. Get more Lawman: Bass Reeves recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our forum to let us know if you agree or disagree with our review. We value your opinion.