Paramount+’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode one introduces David Oyelowo (Silo, Selma) as the legendary lawman whose life was dedicated to protecting the peace in the Old West. Reeves was credited with arresting over 3,000 criminals while serving as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, and it’s not a stretch to believe he might have been one of the inspirations for The Lone Ranger.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was created and written by Chad Feehan, based on the books Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves: The Bass Reeves Trilogy, Book One and Hell on the Border: The Bass Reeves Trilogy, Book Two by Sidney Thompson. Episode one focuses on the last days of Bass Reeves’ enslavement and the time he spent with the Seminoles, with David Oyelowo delivering a powerful performance as the runaway slave turned gunslinging lawman.
And now, onto our episode one recap. Warning: there are plenty of spoilers ahead.
Pea Ridge, Arkansas – March 1862
Bass Reeves rides alongside slave owner Major George Reeves as the 11th Texas Cavalry regiment of the Confederate Army is attacked by Union soldiers. Many men turn tail and run, but Major Reeves (Shea Whigham) orders the remaining men to advance and engage the enemy. He hands Bass a rifle and demands that he follow him into battle and kill Union soldiers.
Bass is forced to follow George as they charge across the field on horseback, but it’s not until backup arrives in the form of Native Americans riding with Confederate soldiers that the tide turns. The men of the 11th regiment, who’ve hung back to avoid being wiped out, join the fight.
Bass watches as a white Confederate soldier (played by Barry Pepper) scalps a Union soldier.
Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas:
The brutality of war is on full display as soldiers lose their limbs and cling to life in a hospital. Bass is confronted by a Union prisoner and told he’s fighting for the wrong side. Bass knows this, but as a slave, he has no choice but to do as George Reeves commands.
Bass waits on the officers as they discuss the results of the battle, which includes the taking of 200 prisoners. However, 1,000 Confederate soldiers are either dead, injured, taken prisoner, or have deserted the army. Despite that, General Earl Van Dorn (David Lee Smith) believes God favors the Confederacy.
George Reeves speaks up, confronting Van Dorn and pointing out that the supply train hasn’t arrived. They marched too quickly, and Van Dorn ordered them to leave the wagons behind against the advice of the officers. They’ve been outmaneuvered and are without supplies, and all blame lies at General Van Dorn’s feet.
The soldier Bass witnessed scalping a man engages Bass in a quick chat, pointing out they’re both wolves and a breed apart from the others. Bass doesn’t respond.
General Van Dorn dismisses Major Reeves, and while walking through the town, George points out it’s a confederacy of dunces. Bass agrees and packs up their belongings to head back home.
They stop to camp overnight on their way home, and George reminds Bass – at gunpoint – that he’s still his master. He also argues that he’s not deserting the regiment; Van Dorn ordered him to leave, and he had no choice. Bass is back in George’s good graces after dropping multiple compliments about George’s verbal take-down of General Van Dorn.
As they settle in for the night by a campfire, George assures Bass there’s no reason to learn to read or write. Blacks don’t go to Heaven, so reading the Bible is unnecessary. “Only white folks go to the big dance, boy. If anybody’s going anywhere,” says George.
George’s wife isn’t home when he and Bass arrive at the Reeves estate in Grayson County, Texas. George is disappointed by the lack of a warm reception after being away at war, but Bass is overjoyed to reunite with Jennie (Lauren E Banks) in the slaves’ quarters. The war’s over for Bass, and he and Jennie waste no time in reconnecting.
They’re naked in bed when George bellows from the big house, demanding Bass’ attention. It turns out George’s family is visiting his wife’s folks, and George has been hitting the bottle hard while all alone.
Bass is shocked when George offers him a shot at freedom. In appreciation of Bass’ heroics in battle, George announces he’ll set him free if he beats him in a round of cards. Bass is right to be skeptical, as it’s immediately obvious that George had no intention of freeing him. Bass has a plain flush, but George reveals he has four queens. That’s impossible since Bass drew a queen and played it earlier.
They scream at each other, spouting Bible verses as weapons before resorting to fists. Bass beats George about the face, screaming that he’s a cheater. Leaving George unconscious, Bass grabs George’s pistol and returns to Jennie. She orders him to take a horse and leave, forcing him to promise he’ll never look back. She loves him deeply and doesn’t want to see him strung up.
Bass rides like the wind in the dead of night, only stopping to shoot three men who want to take him in. His horse balks at crossing the river, and he sets her free and swims to the other shore as dogs are heard heading his way.
Indian Territory – March 1862
Bass is in poor shape, bare feet bloody and painful, causing him to walk carefully. He’s starving and scares crows away from a dead snake that he takes over eating. Rain falls at night, and he’s chilled to the bone but continues his slow, torturous journey.
He’s asleep during the day when a gunshot startles him awake. A woman asks if he’s Seminole, and he replies, “Runaway.” That was apparently an acceptable answer as when he comes to again, he’s in a home with a young boy who doesn’t understand English. (He speaks Creek.) Bass manages to indicate he needs water before he slips back to sleep.
Bass is finally strong enough to emerge from bed and joins the woman who found him outside. She’s busy shoeing a horse and describes the area as a long way from anywhere. She introduces herself as Sara Jumper (Margot Bingham), and while she doesn’t want him there, she offers him a chance to stay at her home – for now – if he’ll help around the farm.
Over dinner, Sara explains that the Seminole fought in Florida to be free and never surrendered. They never made a treaty with the government, and her people now live in this area. Her husband died in the white man’s war so that the boy, Curtis (Riley Looc), would never wear chains.
Bass digs in and pulls his weight, even learning how to fish with his hands. He grows stronger each day and forges a genuine bond with young Curtis.
Turkey Creek Trading Post – May 1865
Three years have passed since Bass was fortunate enough to become a part of Sara and Curtis’ family. Bass and Curtis are picking up supplies at a trading post when Union soldiers arrive. Bass, who’s learned how to speak Creek, assures Curtis the white men are nothing to worry about.
A soldier asks Bass to interpret and explain to the trading post owner what he needs, and Bass does so to keep the peace. Bass and Curtis even earn a little extra for loading the supplies in the wagon. It’s while performing that task that Bass discovers that inside the wagon are Confederate prisoners, including the scalper – Major Esau Pierce – from the Battle of Pea Ridge.
It’s during their discussion that Bass learns the Union Army won the war. (The war ended on April 9, 1865.) When Bass mentions the name of this trading post, it seems to jar something in Esau. He suggests Bass collect his boy and take off immediately.
”Collect your whelp and take flight. Hell is coming on wings of its own,” warns Esau.
Bass shouts for Curtis, and almost immediately, a gunshot rings out. Confederate soldiers on horseback emerge from the woods and begin killing the Union soldiers. Bass is knocked to the ground repeatedly during the melee, and Curtis reacts by grabbing a rifle.
Curtis points it at Esau and orders him to stop. Bass yells at Curtis to put down the gun, but instead he cocks the pistol. Esau responds by shooting the boy before fleeing with his men.
Bass brings Curtis’ body home and helps Sara bury the boy. Sara insists her loss can’t be Bass’ and that he needs to take Pistol (the horse) and be brave by returning to Jennie. Sara’s aware his heart still belongs to another woman.
Grayson County, Texas – July 1865
Bass does as Sara suggested and returns to the Reeves estate. He pauses in front of the main house before heading to the slaves’ quarters, which are now completely empty. He strokes the bed he shared with Jennie and is surprised when Mrs. Rachel Reeves (Jessica Oyelowo) walks through the door.
Rachel knew Bass would be back and assures him George isn’t around right now. George is busy being a politician working toward reclaiming the things they lost in the war. Bass correctly points out those “things” were people.
Fort Smith, Arkansas is Bass’ next destination after learning Jennie might have settled there. He makes his way through the town and comes across Jennie hanging laundry. There’s a child named Sally at her feet, and Bass fades into the shadows as he watches them interact.
Later that evening, Jennie and Sally are out for a stroll and come across Bass seated outside a store. Jennie is stunned to see the man she loves, and Bass breaks the silence by saying, “I hope he treats you right.”
Jennie’s confused and then realizes that Bass believes she has a new man. She assures Bass her man does treat her well, although he has a bad habit of disappearing and is as stubborn as a mule. Bass asks for the man’s name, and Jennie replies, “Bass. Bass Reeves.” She then picks up Sally and tells Bass to say hello to his daughter!
Bass sobs and falls into Jennie’s arms. Reunited, hopefully for good, they return to Jennie’s place where Bass begins to get to know his adorable little girl.
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New episodes premiere on Paramount+ on Sundays at 12am PT/3am ET.
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