Lawmen: Bass Reeves tells the story of the first Black U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves. In the seventh episode, titled “Part VII,” Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) struggles with the weight of the badge, and after a deadly mission goes awry, the U.S. Deputy Marshal’s fate is left in the hands of someone else.
The episode begins in a flashforward, as Bass says goodbye to the horse he’s ridden throughout the series. Just then, Deputy US Marshal Ike Rogers (Justin Hurtt-Dunkley) approaches the barn. Looking at Bass with sadness, he asks if he knows why he is here. Bass nods and complies with Ike.
The next day, Bass sits in the jail cell, waiting to be sentenced. Bass thinks about seeing Mister Sundown and seeing Esau Pierce (Barry Pepper) during the Civil War. In the courthouse, Bass hears Judge Parker (Donald Sutherland) say his verdict is… cut to a flashback.
Bass and Jeannie Reeves (Lauren E. Banks) have dinner with Judge Parker and his wife. Judge Parker comments on the noticeable toll the job has taken on Bass and tells him he will get easier assignments for a little while. The following day, Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck) informs Bass that he hired a cook, Willy (Ivan Mbakop).
Bass, Billy, and Willy go off on a mission where they peacefully arrest a known murderer Moody O’Neil (Tina Lifford). They made camp that night. The next morning, Bass wakes up and realizes Moody has been set free by Willy. Willy accuses Bass of being a slave catcher, and the confrontation heats up, leading to Bass shooting and killing Willy.
We flash forward now to Bass being arrested by Ike. Bass sits in Judge Parker’s office. Bass and Parker have a heartfelt conversation. Parker tells Bass about finding fools gold when he was a child. He questions Bass whether he’s the real deal or just fool’s gold. Bass responds with his own story about his father, showing that he is the real deal and will accept any fate given to him. Bass leaves Parker in tears.
Bass now sits in the courthouse, and Judge Parker delivers the “not guilty” verdict, ruling Bass killed Willy in self-defense. Bass celebrates with his wife. The episode ends as Bass gets Billy Crow and Sherril Lynn (Dennis Quaid) to help him go after Esau Pierce, aka Mister Sundown.
In Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode 7, director Christina Alexandra Voros and showrunner Chad Feehan take a moment before the final episode to let the impending decision and the morality of the badge weigh on Bass. It is good for what it is, but one could argue it slowed the showdown a bit just as it ramped up into a tense finale.
Rating: 7/10