Episode 1

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

## Synopsis

Bass rides into hell. Esau makes a violent impression on Bass. Bass escapes his chains, but has to make a hard sacrifice.

## Plot

Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 1862, the 11th Texas Cavalry advance, but gets under fire. As they suffer casualties, the soldiers fail to maintain the line. Their commander, major George Reeves, tries to inspire them and tells Bass to attack with him. Seeing the chaos and the soldiers running away, Bass is on the verge of doing the same, however seeing a man being shot for running away, he decides to go with George. The two charge at the Union army and manage to kill few soldiers. Another army led by Esau Pierce then joins from the side and attacks the Union and quickly defeats them. Esau then scalps a man, celebrating their victory.

At Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas, the Confederate Army gathers to treat the wounded and discuss the situation. The general gives a report of the prisoners they captured and the guns they obtained and how many casualties the enemy got. George asks about the promised supply train, which still haven't arrived. The general takes the blame for it, however that isn't enough for George. Meanwhile, Esau recalls seeing Bass on the battlefield and states that he is a wolf just like him. After that, George tells Bass to pack their stuff and horses as they are leaving.

The next day, they stop for a break. Bass heads to get some grass for the horses, but George mistakes it for him trying to run away and points his gun at Bass. He questions Bass if he thinks that he is a deserter and explains that he received dispensation from Van Dorn, guessing Van Dorn was just sick of George's company. George then tells him to proceed and get the grass. At night while drinking, George speaks about god and states that if heaven exist, only white people will go to its good part.

Continuing on their journey, the two reach George's home in Grayson County, Texas. George goes inside looking for Rachel, but can't find anyone. After tending to the horses, Bass goes to see Jennie. She is happy to see him back alive and that the war is over for him. After they have sex, George calls Bass. George expected that Bass may escape before he gives him his freedom. He also explains that his entire family is visiting Rachel's parents, and while they can go and get them back, they can just play cards. As Bass is confused about the freedom George mentioned, George explains that he will set him free tonight and write him a letter of manumission, if Bass beats him at a round of cards. George then deals the cards, and the two then play one card each and get one new. Bass has a strong hand and starts crying as he reveals that he has a plain flush of jack, ten and nine of spades. George is impressed, however that doesn't beat his four of a kind queens. Bass states he had queen of hearts and played it. George disagrees, stating that the queen is in his hand, but Bass calls him a cheater. Angry, Bass then beats up George. He then takes his gun and goes to Jennie. Realizing what he has done, she makes him promise that he will run and won't go back.

Bass takes a horse and runs, however he soon encounters three men. As they question him and doesn't believe his story, he quickly shoots them. Reaching a river, Bass hears some dogs and sees men with torches. He ditches the horse and swims across the river. Eventually, Bass reaches an Indian territory. As he washes his legs at a river, he hears a gunshot. Following the sound, he sees that some men had killed an animal and are skinning it. After travelling for days, he is eventually found collapsed by a woman from the Seminole Nation. He explains that he is a runaway and she decides to help him.

After Bass recovers, the woman explains that she is Sara. She also had escaped from a war and the Seminole people are living free in these lands, however her husband died in the war. She allows Bass to stay with her and her son Curtis.

Few years later, in May 1865, at Turkey Creek Trading Post. Bass had learned Creek language and is with Curtis buying some supplies. Some soldiers show up and look for someone to help them translate. Bass then helps them buy what they want. As he helps them load it on their wagon, he sees Esau in chains, along with some other men. Bass is then surprised to learn that the Union won. Esau wonders if Curtis is his son, and after that warns him to leave fast as things will go bad soon. Before Bass is able to react, men arrive on horses and open fire on the soldiers. Esau and the other men escape and join the fight against the soldiers. After killing all the soldiers, Curtis points a rifle at Esau. Bass tells him to not shoot and as he distracts Curtis, Esau shoots and kills Curtis. Later Sara and Bass bury Curtis, Sara tells Bass that her loss can't be Bass' loss and tells him to take their horse Pistol and leave.

Bass returns to George's home in Grayson County, Texas. He goes to look for Jennie, but finds her house empty. Rachel then shows up, stating she knew that Bass will be back, even though George didn't believe it. She explains that George isn't around and got his mind set on politics. He is a legislator, however that won't allow him to reclaim his slaves. Bass then asks about Jennies whereabouts.

Bass then heads to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to look for Jennie. As he finds her, he sees that she has a child, Sally. Figuring that she has a new man now, Bass leaves without saying anything. In the evening, while Jennie goes to a walk with Sally, she ends up meeting Bass. Bass hopes that Jennie's new man treats her right. Jennie confirms, but reveals that her man is still Bass and Sally is his daughter.

## Cast

### Starring

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

### Guest Starring

* Joaquina Kalukango as Esme
* Shea Whigham as George Reeves
* Jessica Oyelowo as Rachel Reeves
* David Lee Smith as General Van Dorn
* Margot Bingham as Sara Jumper
* Riley Looc as Curtis Jumper

### Co-Starring

* Bill Dawes as Joshua
* Emery Jean-Luc Barrera as John
* Craig Nigh as Brigadier General Jacobs
* Stacey A. Sheffield as Earl
* Todd Jenkins as Colonel Hebert
* Josh Cole as Union Soldier at Trading Post
* Brian Mathis as Torchlight
* Chris Ullsmith as Scalped Soldier
* Barry Hanley as Fur Trapper