Episode 2 sets our unlikely duo closer to the Badlands as Reeves looks for a man with knowledge of Eugene Starr’s location. On the way, he reunites with a dear friend and evil shows its face.
“A Good Way to Catch a Bullet”‘s cold open reveals Dr. Starr back in his captors’ custody. The Indigenous women work for a benefactor, a white man who’s recruited the doctor for a specific task.
Later, Bass and Dana venture to the town of Prosperity where Bully Shaw was last seen. As they traverse the open land, Dana questions why Reeves would travel to a place occupied by “savages.” Reeves corrects her that it’s the white men who are savage.
They cross a group of Natives Indian Americans led by Lighthorse, Prosperity’s sheriff and a dear friend of Reeves. We learn Lighthorse’s people adopted, raised and trained Reeves years ago when he was married to his first wife. An Indigenous woman, she and their unborn child were victims of the terrorist attack known as the Trail of Tears. Another trauma Reeves has buried.
After conversation, Lighthorse reveals he, too, seeks Shaw for the murder of a Chickasaw woman. The friends place a bet on who can locate the fugitive first. Meanwhile, Reeves sends Dana on the first stagecoach back home to keep her safe.
The mere mention of Shaw’s name stirs angry mobs against Reeves and Lighthorse. Yards away, Dana sees a caravan of thugs headed toward the town, and ditches her ride home to warn Reeves. She interrupts the battle with one of her contraptions — a sticky grenade that plugs the attacker’s guns — but the pacifist gets caught in the crossfire and witnesses her first murder.
Suddenly, Bully Shaw arrives in a mech suit resembling none other than a bull. Cornered, Reeves finally accepts Dana’s help when she notes to shoot the power source on the machine’s back. With Lighthorse as bait, Reeves fires an explosive bullet that destabilizes Shaw. He comes clean that Starr was headed to a mining town out east, but Lighthorse accuses him of lying. He claims Starr ventured toward Stillwater, a response that warrants an alert from Dana’s Verbiphone, an alleged lie detector. But she brushes it off as a glitch.
Reeves parts ways with Lighthorse, who takes Shaw to face justice in Chickasaw Country. Instead, we see the suspected murderer strapped to a gurney while his limbs are dismembered. Eugene Starr watches in terror as the nefarious white man from the cold open attaches mechanical replacements to Shaw’s bloody stubs, despite Starr’s protest.
It’s revealed Lighthorse lied and is working with the man to build his people an army. When he mentions Reeves presence, the mad doctor tasks him to kill the Black bounty hunter.
Episode 2 ups the action as we venture into true Western storytelling. The pairing of Reeves and Lighthorse delivers great buddy action with slithers of humor. The touch of Reeves’ past highlights the multi-layers of our tragic hero.
Lighhorse’s betrayal is a remarkable narrative shift, revealing a deadly alliance that happens too often in this United States of America. By all accounts, this white man is an enemy of the Indigenous communities’ Lighthorse protects. But some greater evil has forced his hand to partner with — essentially — white supremacy. And the call for Reeves’ death resembles the friction sparked between marginalized groups due to manipulation from their shared oppressor.
While still within the clumsy sidekick trope, Dana’s non-violent philosophy is an interesting development and juxtaposition to Bass’ history of violence. Her approach could act as an antidote to Bass’ fatal tendencies that have deeply fractured him. It’s also a shining example of their polar opposite life experiences.
Rating: 8/10