Episode 3

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

## Synopsis

Bass is sworn in and embarks on his first mission as a US Deputy Marshal. The Underwood gang strikes after Bass is let in on a secret.

## Plot

On May 10, 1875, Bass goes to Fort Smith's Courthouse to meet up Judge Parker. While waiting outside his office, a young man asks for help, explaining that he killed a person on accident. Bass is then called in. Judge Parker explains that he was encouraged to hire him due to his skin color, because Indians would listen to someone like him, however he called him because he needs a good man and shooter. The job is hard and those who manage to survive for long, end up like Sherrill, however Bass is sure that he won't become like Sherrill. Judge Parker then makes Bass swear to serve. Before leaving, Bass mentions that the boy outside needs help, but Judge Parker states that he needs a lawyer.

While travelling in a stagecoach, Andreas Wagner sees Billy Crow changing a stagecoach's wheel and decides to stop and help him. However that turns out to be a set up and a gang then robs Andreas and his family.

Bass receives his first job, capturing Billy Crow for connection with a stagecoach robbery. A moment later, Garrett Montgomery introduces himself and offers his service as a posse man, which Bass accepts. The two then head out to look for Billy. Bass tells Garrett that if all goes well, he will keep on hiring him. Meanwhile, while doing the laundry, Jennie tells Sally that soon she will need to help her even more with the house chores and raising the kids.

Bass and Garrett reach Checotah in the Indian Territory. Garrett guess that the Underwood Gang is behind the stagecoach robbery, due to the female outlaw that robbed Andreas. Bass and Garrett then visit the local hotel, however seeing Garrett the barkeeper wants him out since he owns him a debt. Bass tells Garrett to wait outside and asks the barkeep if he knows something about Billy or Underwood Gang. The barkeep doesn't know about Billy, but points to the table with the men playing poker. Bass the joins the poker table. After a while, he ends up taking all of Big Al's money, who gets angry and reaches to his gun. Bass explains that he is willing to give him back his money if he shares some information.

After getting information on where to find Billy Crow from Big Al, Bass takes Garrett and goes to a nearby stagecoach. Bass questions Billy, but Billy declines to be Billy Crow. Billy then tries to lie to Bass, telling him that he heard Billy Crow left earlier in a wagon, but Bass shows him his wanted poster, noting that he looks quite like him. Billy runs, but Bass captures him. Meanwhile, Arthur secretly visits Sally and they go on a walk. Sally complains that about her chores and guesses that Arthur's parent don't give him chores as he is a working man, however Arthur reveals that he is an orphan and states that she is blessed to have so much love in her life.

While heading back to Fort Smith, Billy complains that he is in a bad situation, since he can't give Judge Parker names otherwise Huff Underwood will kill him, and if he keeps quiet, he will rot in prison. They stop for the night. Billy and Garrett complain about the cold, but Bass explains that a fire will reveal their position. Garrett then tells a story about his good stove which he had to sell due to his debts. Billy reveals that he knows where Huff hid the money and jewellery. Garrett suggest that they take it and let Billy go. Bass is against it, but as Garrett insist, he reaches for his gun. Garrett believes that Bass intends to shoot him, but Bass reveals that there are men heading towards them, which then shoot and kill Garrett. In the shootout, Bass kills all men. Huff attempts to escape, but Bass chases and kills him too. In the morning, Bass takes Garrett's body and the men's boots and head back to Forth Smith with Billy. Meanwhile, Jennie is starting to have contractions and prepares to give birth.

In the courthouse, Bass takes Billy to the cells. On their way, he sees the young boy from the other day, Myson Davis, who seems beaten up. Billy is interested becoming like Bass and reveals the location of the money. Bass then goes to courtroom, where Judge Parker tells Myson that he understand what hunger can drive a person to do, however he still took a life and sentences him to be hanged by the neck until he is dead. A bit later, Bass visits Judge Parker in his office. He explains that they were ambushed to free Billy and Garrett died. Bass states that Billy isn't a bad person and that he told him where the stolen money is.

Bass returns home and finds Jennie holding their new baby.

## Cast

### Starring

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

### Guest Starring

* Garrett Hedlund as Garrett Montgomery
* Lonnie Chavis as Arthur Mayberry
* Paula Malcomson as Mabel Underwood

### Co-Starring

* Tom Voss as Andreas Wagner
* Monica Giordano as Marta Wagner
* Tanner Hagen as Niels Wagner
* Jack Michael Doke as Lars Wagner
* Sekou Goodson as Newland Reeves
* Saveah Goodson as Alice Reeves
* Sanaya Goodson as Harriet Reeves
* Anthony J. Fort as George Winston
* Heather Kafka as Florence Hammersly
* Jaden Clarke as Myson Davis
* Tim Walker Anderson as Huff Underwood
* Elisha Pratt as Yona Highcloud
* Dezbaa as Euna Highcloud
* Russell Rakestraw as Big Al
* Phil Mendoza as Roland
* Derrick Clinton as Poker Player
* Aaron Roberts as Guard
* Turner Ross as Barkeep