Lawmen: Bass Reeves tells the story of the first Black U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves. In the eighth episode, titled “Part VIII,” Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo), Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck), and Sherrill Lynn (Dennis Quaid) have a dangerous reckoning with Mister Sundown.
The episode begins as Bass, Billy, and Sherrill track down a lead in Forth Worth in order to find Esau Pierce, aka Mister Sundown. They capture a man and torture him until he gives up Pierce’s location. Bass tells Sherrill to leave the man behind, but he disregards that and kills him.
That night, they made camp for the night. Sherrill upsets Billy, as he doesn’t like Native Americans. Things become tense, but Bass shoots a snake, scaring them and telling them no more talking.
Back at the Reeves residence, Jeannie Reeves (Lauren E. Banks) makes her way home, as she arrives to Rachel Reeves (Jessica Oyelowo), Jeannie’s former slave owner, and Sally Reeves (Demi Singleton) waiting on the porch. Rachel offers Jeannie the opportunity to return to her as her slave, to which Jeannie slaps her and tells her to leave.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Bass approaches Esau Pierces, who asks him to give up his weapons. He does so and approaches the house, passing black men working the fields. Bass tells Esau he has come to collect the difference in money for only bringing in Jackson Cole’s boots. Pierce gives him the money and shows Bass around his ranch.
Bass and Pierce have dinner together when Pierce reveals Jackson Cole, who hangs from his arms. Bass plays into Pierce’s madness and tells him he knows he is Mister Sundown. Pierce admits to it but also says a lot of it has gotten misconstrued in the myth of it.
Bass and Pierce approach Jackson. Pierce reveals he has these men because it was either death or working for him, and that is how he is making so much money. Pierce tells Bass to release Jackson from the pole. Bass does, and when he finishes, Pierce tells him it is time for Bass to bear his chains again. Bass stares at him when shots go off, killing some of his men. Pierce runs as BAss grabs a gun, and a shootout ensues.
Billy and Sherrill, in the distance, take on a bunch of Pierce’s men. They take them out, as Sherrill steps into a bear trap. Billy tries to save him, but Sherrill says he isn’t gonna make it. Sherrill tells Billy he may not like Native Americans, but he knows what makes a US Deputy Marshal, giving him his badge. Billy leaves, and Sherrill takes his life.
Billy arrives to Bass as he searches for Pierce. Bass tells him to help free the black men on the property. Bass searches for Pierce and after some cat and mouse, Bass ends up chasing Pierce, both on horseback. Bass shoots Pierce, killing him.
Bass, Billy, and the released slaves make their way away from Pierce’s burning ranch. Bass gives Jackson Cole money he stole from Pierce before leaving and told them to go to Kansas. Billy attempts to give Bass Sherrill’s badge, but Bass tells him he’s earned it and will recommend him to Judge Parker. Bass also gives Billy a diamond he stole from Pierce so he can go propose to the love of his life in Choctaw. Bass returns home and embraces Jeannie.
The episode ends in a flashforward, as Bass, his wife, and his kids enjoy themselves together as a family.
In Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode 8, director Christina Alexandra Voros and showrunner Chad Feehan construct a riveting finale to what has thus far been a slow burn. The episode ramps up everything we have been building up to – racism, Mister Sundown, and morality vs the law – and spins it together into an amazing season finale.
Rating: 10/10