Episode 2

**Part II** is the second episode of the first season of the Paramount+ American Western *Lawmen: Bass Reeves*.

## Synopsis

Bass and his family endure tough times on their farm. Bass gets a visit from the law and is faced with an interesting proposition.

## Plot

In 1875, Bass lives with his pregnant wife and four kids in Van Buren, Arkansas. He tries to grow some crops, but they get eaten by insects, forcing him to burn it and start again. While ploughing the Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherrill Lynn visits Bass. Sherrill explains that 15 days ago, he and another deputy, Horace Lee, went to serve a writ in Choctaw Nation, however Horace was killed by One Charlie, a whisky supplier who they were chasing. Wanting to go after One Charlie, Sherrill is looking for someone who can shoot good and knows Choctaw, and asks Bass to be his posse man, however Bass refuses. However after speaking with Jennie she encourages and convinces him to agree.

While traveling with Sherrill, he tell Bass that there are three kinds of rogues: a kind that steal horses; a kind that supplies whiskey; and a kind that will kill you for both of those things. In town, while looking at a piano, Jennie is approached by a man speaking of making black paradise, but Jennie notes that heaven is the only paradise and leaves. Meanwhile, Sherrill and Bass find a recently attacked wagon. Bass checks it, only to find a dying preacher telling him to run. Suddenly, they are attacked by three men. As they ride towards them and shoot, Bass shoots and kills two of them. Sherrill then charges at the third man and shoots and kills him. Bass sees that the preacher has died and prays for him, but Sherrill tells him that prayers don't help in life. However Bass buries the preacher and recites a passage from the bible. At night, Sherrill wonders what Bass learned from the savages, however to Bass they aren't savages, but just men like them. Sherrill states that they are all killers and thieves, and tells a story of how they were sailing the J.R. Williams steamboat up the Arkansas in 1864 and were ambushed by Indians. Sherrill reveals a scar on his head, explaining that most of the men died on the boat, but those who survived didn't get far as the Indians waited them on the bank, and one of them tried to scalp Sherrill. However, Bass, again states that they are all just men.

Sherrill and Bass reach a small settlement, where Sherrill had heard that One Charlie is hiding in his wife's house. Seeing her in her house, Sherrill breaks in, but she points a gun at him, telling them that Charlie isn't there. Bass then convinces her to lower her weapon and pulls Sherrill outside, asking him to give him five minutes with her. Looking around, Bass figures that no man lives there and the woman is alone. She explains that Charlie is her cousin and she has been paying his debts for a long time. Bass gives her some money for her troubles and she asks him to let her know what happens of Charlie.

Jennie's piano arrives. One of the young men delivering it is Arthur, who takes interest in Sally. Meanwhile, Sherrill and Bass go to the location that Charlie's cousin told them. Sherrill is sceptical, but they do end up finding One Charlie there. Charlie quickly hides in his house and opens fire on them, wounding Sherrill on the upper left arm. Sherrill covers Bass who manages to get close to the house and tell Charlie to surrender, however Charlie doesn't believe that Sherrill will let him live. After treating his wound, Sherrill takes some whiskey from Charlie's cart and makes a molotov. He gets close to the house and throws them inside. Hearing that Charlie screams, Bass tries to enter from the back, but sees that the house is burning. Charlie then comes out burning and Bass is forced to shoot him for mercy.

At night, Jennie hears some noises outside and takes a gun and goes to check. She finds three wolves eating a calf and shoots in the air to scare them. Bass removes the bullet from Sherrill's arm and burns the wound. Sherrill tells him that sometimes they have to be the judge, jury and executioner, as its better than being dead or poor farmer, and if Charlie didn't shoot at them and listened, this wouldn't have happened. Recalling the burning Charlie, Bass gets angry and punches Sherrill. Bass gets on his horse, telling Sherrill that his scar put chains on his heart and if he likes the man he is now.

Arthur visits Jennie and offers to help her with fixing her piano, but she tells him to not come again until Sally is older. Bass reports to Charlie's cousin that Charlie died quick death. She states that Charlie knew he would die bitter as he plays with death each day. Bass returns home. Jennie shows him the piano and explains that she promised the seller they will pay him soon, since Bass is making decent money from his new job. However Bass explains that he didn't got paid as he hit Sherrill, but will think of a way to pay for the piano.

Bass returns to being a farmer. Sherrill visits with him two other men. As Bass doesn't regret what he has done, Sherrill states that he is one of the most earnest man he ever met, but that may kill him one day. Sherrill spoke with Judge Parker and he wants to make Bass a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Later Bass tells Jennie that he will do God's will and deliver justice.

## Cast

### Starring

* David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves
* Dennis Quaid as Sherrill Lynn
* Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow (in credits only)
* Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves
* Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce (in credits only)
* Grantham Coleman as Edwin Jones
* Demi Singleton as Sally Reeves
* Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker (in credits only)

### Guest Starring

* Lonnie Chavis as Arthur Mayberry
* Crystle Lightning as Nita

### Co-Starring

* Sekou Goodson as Newland Reeves
* Saveah Goodson as Alice Reeves
* Sanaya Goodson as Harriet Reeves
* Johnny Reno as Preacher