Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)

Watchseries; "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," a recent addition to Taylor Sheridan's repertoire, begins its narrative journey at a slower pace than his renowned works like "Yellowstone" or "1883." Initially, this slower tempo might feel less captivating, especially for those accustomed to the gripping beginnings typical of Sheridan's series. The show employs numerous time jumps, a storytelling technique that, while effective in progressing the narrative, contributes to a somewhat disjointed initial rhythm.

A striking aspect of the series is how swiftly we see Bass Reeves and his family age. This rapid progression, while necessary for the story, can at times feel abrupt, leaving viewers longing for a more gradual depiction of their growth and evolution.

However, the series finds its footing with the introduction of a clear antagonist. This pivotal moment seems to steer the narrative with a newfound sense of purpose and direction, transforming it into a more traditional hero-versus-villain tale. The gunfights, a staple in such stories, do fall into the familiar trope where villains inexplicably miss their shots, even against a hero in plain sight. This element, albeit clichéd, doesn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the series.

The show concludes with a finale that feels like a fitting conclusion to the legend of Bass Reeves. It encapsulates his journey sufficiently, giving viewers a sense of completion. While the ending is well-executed, the pacing of the series as a whole suggests that a few additional episodes could have provided a more balanced narrative flow. The initial slowness and the somewhat rushed conclusion leave one contemplating what could have been with a more evenly paced storyline.

In summary, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" is another commendable effort by Sheridan, showcasing his storytelling prowess. Despite not reaching the heights of popularity seen in "Yellowstone" or "1883," it stands as a solid portrayal of a legendary figure. The show navigates through its pacing challenges to deliver a story that is engaging and, ultimately, satisfying. It's a testament to Sheridan's ability to craft compelling narratives, even when they tread a more conventional path.

"Lawmen: Bass Reeves," a recent addition to Taylor Sheridan's repertoire, begins its narrative journey at a slower pace than his renowned works like "Yellowstone" or "1883." Initially, this slower tempo might feel less captivating, especially for those accustomed to the gripping beginnings typical of Sheridan's series. The show employs numerous time jumps, a storytelling technique that, while effective in progressing the narrative, contributes to a somewhat disjointed initial rhythm.

A striking aspect of the series is how swiftly we see Bass Reeves and his family age. This rapid progression, while necessary for the story, can at times feel abrupt, leaving viewers longing for a more gradual depiction of their growth and evolution.

However, the series finds its footing with the introduction of a clear antagonist. This pivotal moment seems to steer the narrative with a newfound sense of purpose and direction, transforming it into a more traditional hero-versus-villain tale. The gunfights, a staple in such stories, do fall into the familiar trope where villains inexplicably miss their shots, even against a hero in plain sight. This element, albeit clichéd, doesn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the series.

The show concludes with a finale that feels like a fitting conclusion to the legend of Bass Reeves. It encapsulates his journey sufficiently, giving viewers a sense of completion. While the ending is well-executed, the pacing of the series as a whole suggests that a few additional episodes could have provided a more balanced narrative flow. The initial slowness and the somewhat rushed conclusion leave one contemplating what could have been with a more evenly paced storyline.

In summary, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" is another commendable effort by Sheridan, showcasing his storytelling prowess. Despite not reaching the heights of popularity seen in "Yellowstone" or "1883," it stands as a solid portrayal of a legendary figure. The show navigates through its pacing challenges to deliver a story that is engaging and, ultimately, satisfying. It's a testament to Sheridan's ability to craft compelling narratives, even when they tread a more conventional path.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves watchseries. What an amazing cast and well told story. I was hooked from the very beginning of the show. David Oyelowo is perfect as Bass Reeves. I really don't think they could've found anyone else to play him but David. He brings a strength and incredible honesty to the role. I cried as I watched but I also cheered in others. It shows you how awful people can be but it also shows the beauty of the human spirit. I highly recommend watching it. The acting is superb by everyone. Dennis Quad is excellent as always which comes as no surprise. You will not be disappointed if you give this series a chance. It's another hit.

All my life I've heard the stories of Bass Reeves, and it automatically makes for a Hollywood drama. The man was a legend. But every account I've ever seen about his life, always did a disservice. The movie that came out a few years ago is no exception. The cartoonish mustache, the cliched shootouts, and the unrealistic dialogue made me want my 90 minutes back. I went into this expecting more of the same.

The first thing that caught my attention, however, was the cast. David Oyelowo has never played a bad character. But then I see Dennis Quaid, Donald Sutherland, Shea Whigham, and Barry Pepper, my first thought was sheesh. You almost CAN'T mess this movie up. Turned out I was right. The acting is subtle, even if the old school southern dialect is a little strained. The character development doesn't seem rushed. The cinematography is beautiful. It's a great show all around, and the end of each episode so far, makes you want to stay up past your bed time to watch the next. Hats off to a fantastic cast, and finally a storyline that does justice to this forgotten hero.

This ain't the "wild west" .. this... this.... is the "homogenized west". Apparently all the post-civil war and reconstruction animosity that's in every history book doesn't exist in this fable... So how accurate is any part of Bass Reeves's life as it's portrayed here? History is being ignored or rewritten.. I can only assume so is any biographical aspect.

It all seems so watered down and unrealistic.

The rich white lady speaks an unforgivable word ONCE in the final of all 8 episodes. It's not heard from Confederate soldiers? It's not heard from bad men seeking to perpetuate the mindset of the South? It's not even heard among friends used as merely a descriptive word. Really? I understand trying to not be offensive, but one also has to consider accuracy for historical settings. Horrible words were used and terrible mindsets existed. Failure to portray such things is more of a disservice to viewers than anything else. A la "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Reeves's climb to history was PERPETRATED by the incorrect and abusive mindsets of the times. Not showing what it was he truly overcame to become a well-established figure is a bit sad. But I guess accuracy isn't part of Sheridan's Profit Machine.

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I was liking this up to episode 4.

The first few episodes were interesting and compelling. There were a few, well, logic errors but still it was a good watch. Interesting story and well written/acted.

That all changed in episode 4.

I found the (mumblecore) accent used by David Oyelowo just EXCEPTIONALLY poor and overly FORCED in episode 4. Perhaps that was merely a result of more lines for Bass in episode 4. But it just sounds overly fake and strained. I also found the storyline of episode 4 rather uninteresting and more "episode filler" than anything. It wasn't so much about Bass as situations around him at the time.

Perhaps episode 4 was just a bad episode, but if David Oyelowo continues to use that strained, clearly forced, accent.. it's going to be an ingoing issue for me.

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Episode 5 was better than ep4, but I still think I'm done.. They should probably retitle the show to "Lawman Bass Reeves, His Wife's Social Endeavors, And His Daughter's First Romance." -- Too much time is spent on the wife and daughter when Bass isn't around, making the show far more "emotional drama" than western. I find EVERYTHING related to the wife and daughter just so utterly unentertaining and unrealistic due to the inability to honestly portray ANY time period in today's social climate. But, perhaps that's just my take.

The show is going well for its first few episodes. The flow is smooth and we pick up the premise and characters quite effortlessly. My pet peeve is the lack of common sense for a man like Bass Reeves, famous lawman and detective. It's not like historical inaccuracies but more like, why would you do that? Beat your master, runaway forget shoes, kill some men don't steal shoes, and runaway, in a Confederate uniform, down South, making you either a deserter or a looter, either way, you hang. All could be overlooked, eventually.

Besides that, the cast is perfect, can't go wrong with David Oyelowo. Shea Whigham as George Reeves works well because he's a good bit villain. Barry Pepper did a great job subverting my expectations, played with intelligence and understanding but pure ruthless. OG Westerns actors with the likes of Dennis Quaid and Donald Sutherland expectedly shine in their roles.

The pedigree of the producers pretty much guarantee a entertaining show. Chad Feehan whose stoic tough men with complex backstories have shined on cable television (Banshee), with Taylor Sheridan as the money man, Paramount connect and experience with the 'Yellowstone' universe (1883).

Added together, I look forward to the upcoming season.

As a huge fan of the 1883 and 1923 series, I knew I'd be watching Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The first few episodes held my interest, to be sure, but as it progressed I found it to just as quickly lose that interest by not really being "about" anything.

The hallmark of the Taylor Sheridan Paramount westerns are their ability to depict the Old West but make it seem like it isn't all that different (at least personality/energy-wise) from today. It's very much a Hollywood trick-of-the-mind, but also very effective when done right. Bass Reeves does not take this tack--instead portraying itself as far more an of-its-time endeavor. A lot of that energy from the previous Sheridan effort is lost in this way.

The biggest culprit, I think? That this series is based on a real-life figure. As such, the writers are relatively constrained (at least compared to 1883/1923) in what they can "dream up". Not only that, but in a show where the central conceit is about a black man ascending to lawman in unprecedented fashion, very little (at least through five episodes) is devoted to those themes. Almost as if a conscious choice was made to downplay the racial aspect so key to the whole endeavor.

I also felt that the series had very little direction--nothing more than Bass being given a task by his superiors, supposedly learning a lesson along the way, while his family pines for his presence back at home. David Oyelowo plays the Bass character so close to the vest that it is hard to get much of a bead on what exactly he is thinking or feeling.

I can still give the first five episodes a right-down-the-middle 5/10 star ranking because the production values are high. But in terms of relatable characters or intriguing themes, I found them so lacking that after those 5 it had become a chore (rather than a pleasure) to tune in--the surest sign of needing to move on.