Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves is one of the most hard lawmen of the Old West and a lot of his exploits weren't overly dramatized like a lot of other well known names of the period. He was a legit bad a**, and he deserves better than this.

The show starts of wonderfully... hence the 5/10 rating. I definitely can recommend the first 2 or 3 episodes, but after that the production quality, dialog, and even acting drop significantly.

Even from there it's not an awful show, but I just think he deserves more than what this. I'd love to see something closer to the quality of "Yellowstone" or "1883", but this definitely isn't it.

"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.

The show is beautifully shot, well directed and with some fantastic performances. Unfortunately, as the series progressed, the stories drifted farther into pure HBO level cartoonish fiction.

Bass Reeves was a great and legendary lawman, and it is sad that his story couldnt be told simply and truthfully. I guess his 14 kills in 32 years of being a lawman werent considered dramatic enough for us 2020's folks who need explosions and green screens. It detracts from the man's greatness when his long service to law enforcement is reduced to some magic-tinged fight between good and evil, mysticism and wild conjecture. By the time I reached episode VIII I grew disappointed that the heroics I saw in the early episodes--which I had thought must be accurate--were most likely complete fiction.

This show was perhaps the biggest chunk of all my reasons to sign up for Paramount + and I will not watch any of the upcoming Lawmen seasons supposedly portraying famous lawmen. It's a shame.

This is worth the watch, at only 8 episodes, and as I said it is very well done.

If you liked 'The Good Lord Bird' this is very similar. Well filmed, good acting. Seems higher budget than you might expect. I'm only a few episodes in, but enjoying it. You can always tell when a tv series is based on a book because the storytelling tends to be better as does the character development.

If you're into Westerns, civil war style stories and the challenges of the mid 1800's, you'll no doubt like this. Also great to see Barry Pepper and Shea Whitman in the cast. David Oyelowo is a great leading man and brings so much to this series. Looking forward to finishing it and hopefully more series to follow.

I love this new western series and grateful it's creators saw fit to leave the "f" bombs at the door. Please make more westerns like Bass Reeves! The actors are talented and believeable, the story line is easy to follow after the first episode, which has to give you background so you'll understand Bass and his motivations. It's good to see Donald Sutherland and Dennis Quaid. From what I've read, I understand this is an anthology and next season we will follow a new character, but I'm sad to lose the thread of Reeves. Maybe we can get a spin-off? More clean westerns would be a real treat Hollywood.