Lawmen Bass Reeves Review: The challenge of depicting the horrors of American enslavement of Black people in a drama set during that time is a moral responsibility. “Lawmen Bass Reeves,” which commences in 1862 Arkansas during the American Civil War, addresses this challenge effectively. The story unfolds at a card table where Bass (played by David Oyelowo, who also co-produces) and his enslaver, George Reeves (portrayed by Shea Whigham), engage in a high-stakes game to secure Bass’s freedom.
The scene is rife with tension as Bass trembles and nearly weeps, vividly illustrating the concept of one person having dominion over another. It starkly highlights the injustice and inhumanity of living in a nation built upon such a foundation, drawing inspiration from a true story.
Following the outcome of the card game, Bass must flee for his life, leaving behind his wife, Jennie (powerfully portrayed by Lauren E Banks), and seeking refuge in Native American territory. There, he finds sanctuary with Sara (played by Margot Bingham), a Seminole woman, and her son, Curtis (Riley Looc). The Seminole nation, having never surrendered and made no worthless treaties, remains technically free.
However, “Lawmen” constantly delves into the meaning of liberty for colonized or enslaved people. Bass lives peacefully in Native American territory, but circumstances change when he learns that emancipation has formally arrived. He must once again move on, illustrating how formal triumphs can be rendered worthless by subsequent events.
A decade later, facing poverty and bad harvests, Bass takes a job offered by US Marshal Sherrill Lynn (depicted by Dennis Quaid) to track down Native American outlaws. This becomes the beginning of his life’s work, serving as a deputy chief marshal for western Arkansas, arresting over 3,000 people, including his own son charged with murder.
David Oyelowo masterfully portrays Bass, layering fury, despair, hope, and misery over the character’s earnest core. The western genre contains familiar tropes, but “Lawmen” avoids becoming a humorless pastiche thanks to its unique perspective and commitment to telling a compelling, real-life story.
The narrative also offers room for character development, such as Jennie’s piano-playing wisdom passed on to her daughter, emphasizing the importance of owning something uniquely yours. On the other end of the spectrum, Dennis Quaid’s performance is notable, blending charm with a hint of menace.
“Lawmen: Bass Reeves” is based on Sidney Thompson’s historical novels and marks the beginning of an anthology series exploring figures attempting to bring order to a lawless country during the era of manifest destiny. The show’s attention to detail and a fresh perspective make it a promising addition to the western genre.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves” successfully tackles the challenge of portraying the horrors of American enslavement, offering a powerful narrative with compelling performances and a unique viewpoint on a dark period in history.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is Lawmen: Bass Reeves based on a true story?
Warning: This article reveals key plot points for Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The latest TV show, produced by Taylor Sheridan and featuring David Oyelowo, Dennis Quaid, and Donald Sutherland, explores the remarkable life of a historic lawman from the 1800s. Reeves, the trailblazing first Black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River, is the central figure in this gripping limited series.
Will there be a season 2 of lawman Bass Reeves?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves season 2 may not happen. The show is leaning towards being an anthology series, with each season dedicated to a new Western figure. This means that once Bass Reeves’ story is finished, the focus will shift to a different character for the next season.
Who was the first black lawman in the United States?
Born in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas, Bass Reeves made history as one of the earliest African American deputy U.S. marshals in the American West. He passed away on January 12, 1910, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Where did they film Lawmen: Bass Reeves?
Lawmen: Bass Reeves was entirely filmed in northern Texas, including cities like Fort Worth, Glen Rose, Stephenville, and Strawn.