Lawmen: Bass Reeves tells the story of the first Black U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves. In the sixth episode, titled “Part VI,” chaos ensues when a firefight breaks out in Checotah. Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) has an unsettling realization as the myth of Mister Sundown lives on.
The episode begins where we left off, as Bass and Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck) arrive at the drop-off location with their prisoner Jackson Cole (Tosin Morohunfola). There, he sees an old friend, Texas Ranger Esau Pierce (Barry Pepper). Pierce talks to Bass about how even though their badges are made out of different materials, cinco peso and tin, respectively, they are no different. They are the law, and that gives them power.
Bass tells Pierce the ground beneath is the only thing that gives them power. He asks Pierce to go easy on Jackson, to which Pierce says people like him get what’s coming from him. As Pierce is about to leave, Bass gives Jackson a horse so he does not need to walk all the way to Fort Worth.
Bass and Billy make their way back home and, on the way, decide to spend a night in Checotah (where they had been two episodes prior). Bass goes to the saloon and begins drinking whiskey. Meanwhile, outside the saloon, Billy waits for Calista (Blu Hunt), his love interest. Billy gives her a book, and they walk together, discussing their pasts and growing closer. Eventually, they reach a private room, and Calista tends to Billy’s wounds, which leads to Billy and Calista getting intimate.
Back at the saloon, Bass gets more and more drunk as he gets annoyed at a loud, obnoxious man. Looking for a fight, Bass confronts the man, only for him to turn out to be Texas Ranger Braxton Sawyer. Braxton buys Bass a drink, and they get to talking. Bass contemplates the toll the job of US Deputy Marshal takes on him, saying that “the badge weighs just as much as the chains,” alluding to the themes of the episode.
Bass stumbles out of the saloon, very drunk, only to be confronted by bounty hunters after the bounty on his head. Chaos ensues as Bass gets beat up by them, only for Billy to come out and shoot one of the men. The bounty hunters disperse, and Billy and Bass chase after them. One by one, after some tense moments, Bass and BIlly round them up, arresting them.
Back at the Reeves residence, Jeannie Reeves (Lauren E. Banks) hosts Edwin Jones (Grantham Coleman), who preaches about the black men who are being taken and kidnapped by Mister Sundown. Bass arrives home and is angry to see Edwin. Edwin attempts to convince Bass to be in pictures for his pamphlets, as well as going up to Indian territory and making it black-only land.
This angers Bass, saying what the Indians would do and that it is his job to protect white, black, and red without discrimination. Bass and Jeannie get angry and kick him out of their home. That night, Jeannie tells Bass she is worried about him as every time she comes home, she sees less and less of the man who used to be her husband.
The next morning, Bass arrives at the courthouse for payment. He notices his payment is less than expected, to which he discovers the report filed by the Texas Rangers says only Jackson Cole’s boots were delivered by Bass. He pays Ramsey, one of Bass Reeves’ prisoners who spread the word about Mister Sundown, a visit as he is about to be executed. Ramsey pays him no mind, but right before he is hung, Ramsey says, “Cinco peso.” The episode ends as Bass arrives home, and Bass begins making the connection that Esau Pierce’s badge was made out of cinco peso, making the connection that Pierce is Mister Sundown.
In Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode 6, director Damian Marcano and showrunner Chad Feehan ramp up the tension, with Bass questioning himself as he spirals toward the truth. The themes of injustice and true equality shine through, as with each passing episode, we delve deeper into morality vs. the rule of law.
Rating: 9/10