Lawmen: Bass Reeves - Season 1

Lawmen: Bass Reeves - tension with a touch of EO/ Little House on the Prairie. Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo, Silo) is the first black lawman in the rough and wild west. The series starts during the American Civil War. Oddly enough, Bass is not part of the Union army. Bass Reeves fights as a slave in the army of the Southern States, the Confederacy. When the war seems to be lost, Bass gets the chance to escape. He grabs it with both hands. Because he learned to shoot, Bass Reeves is a welcome addition to serve as a lawman. The tough judge Parker (Donald Sutherland, The Undoing) and the corrupt and violent lawman Sherrill Lynn (Dennis Quaid, Full Circle) manage to recruit him.



There is a completed case in almost every episode. Bass proves to be an effective criminal hunter with the help of Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck, Panhandle). Bass knows how to use violence creatively. His approach is working. It ensures that he gains many admirers but also many enemies. One of those enemies returns as a common thread throughout the season. Bass's work is an attack on his private life. His wife and children see him less and less. When he is home he becomes increasingly moody. The violence and criminal cases cause deep wounds. It means that his family has to stand up alone against the racism that prevails.

As a western it can be called a success.

The big problem with Lawmen: Bass Reeves is that the rough and wild west comes across as rather tame. Sometimes you see violent images or someone is being beaten up. On the other hand, it's all rather clean and comparatively sweet. Especially when it comes to mutual relationships, it is all quite volatile. Even when Bass sinks further and further into depression, you as a viewer never really feel it. This is mainly due to the stoic appearance of David Oyelowo. Although racism is shown, it remains far too much in the background as a theme. Something that is impossible when it comes to a black family at that time. Especially when one of them becomes quite successful.



It is therefore a matter of two minds. As a western, it can be called a success. Not that this is the best western ever. It's all just a little too safe for that. The series does have every ingredient a western should have. Think of sweeping vistas, small hamlets, prostitutes, crooks and gunfights. Unfortunately, it remains too non-binding to really make an impression.

The heaviest theme (racism/slavery) is kept rather light-heartedly beneath the surface. Even when the family is threatened, this is not followed through in the story. As a result, they miss a huge opportunity to create a truly raw western. A western that would be much more impressive with a realistic dark message.