Lawmen: Bass Reeves

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.

Turns out this is well made, well filmed. Great show. So what is it with these paltry little 8 episode seasons we keep getting nowadays. ??

Epic fail by the makers.

Apparently based on a True story (no, I hadn't heard about this either !). Ina h episode was good. An underlying story running along through the series but just not enough details and episodes so what could have been a sprawling epic was left as too short, too time lapsed over periods of time and therefor just slightly unsatisfying. Hope it that this is successful so they some item can be made with better continuity and detail. (Oh and more than 8 episodes please!!!)

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is another in a long line of hits for Taylor Sheridan. Anything this guy touches is pure gold. Obviously, this series is about the life of Bass Reeves, one of the legends of the West and one of the first U. S. Deputy Marshall's who was black. David Oyelowo does a terrific job playing the title character, he was just nominated for an Emmy for his job in this. This series also has a bunch of supporting characters played by great actors like Dennis Quaid, Barry Pepper, Shea Whigham, Donald Sutherland, Lauren E Banks, Garrett Hedlund, Forrest Goodluck, etc. If you're a fan of this genre or Taylor Sheridan then this is a must watch.

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.

"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.