This article of the Paramount+ series Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 5, “Part V,” contains spoilers.
The Lawmen Bass Reeves episode “Part V” features our legendary lawman, Sundown, ensuring his targets won’t see the morning sun. He comes across a message as he encounters a “Bass Reeves will Hang Here” sign attached to a badly decomposing body hanging from a tree.
Lawmen Bass Reeves and Billy Crow reach a local watering hole after over 40 days on the road, seeking their outlaw. Upon entering, they face enemy fire. Bass eliminates one adversary, another succumbs to friendly fire, and Billy claims another victory before a bullet grazes his neck.
Despite a flesh wound to his left arm, Bass takes down the assailant, acting as both judge and executioner. Returning to the bar, he finds Billy standing over the last man, dying from a gunshot wound to the torso. Bass instructs him, “End the man’s; take his boots.” Billy follows the orders, and Bass unshackles their dog.
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Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 5 Recap: How much does Bass get paid for killing the outlaws?
Bass (David Oyelowo) and Billy (Forrest Goodluck find their way back to the courthouse. Bass is paid over 700 dollars for his efforts. (I’m assuming the boots are proof of the outlaw being deceased.) He is ready to head home and take his family to the carnival. However, Sherril Lynn (Dennis Quaid) delivers news from Judge Parker (Donald Sutherland); Bass has to go back out.
Bass objects at first, but he has sworn an oath. He doesn’t tell his family, though, enjoying the night together. The following day, Billy shows up at breakfast, and Bass breaks the news to Jennie (Lauren E Banks) and his daughters. His wife, of course, is upset. Jennie even comments that she’s widowed and the kids are fatherless and questions why he doesn’t take the oath of their marriage more seriously.
Bass leaves with Billy a few moments later. They aim to capture and escort Jackson “Jack Rabbit” Cole to Texas. Cole senses Bass is a former Soldier, and they have a connection. They locate him, but Bass notices Billy continues to act unprofessionally by taunting Cole. Bass tells him he hasn’t given up on him, but his behavior lacks grit. They then get caught in a storm and seek shelter.
Also Read: Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: Why does Bass accept a job as a U.S. Marshall?
What does Sally Reeves tell the little girl?
A little white girl cuts in front of Sally at the fair, and she sternly tells her to be at the back of the line. The tiny child then says something horrible: that’s where Sally and Arthur belong. Sally yells at the child, who runs away. Later, four white teenagers jump them, claiming the little girl is their sister. Sally defends herself, but Arthur absorbs the brunt of the attack. They fend off, but Sally tells Arthur they shouldn’t tell anyone.
Walking back, they find Jennie and Arthur’s mom, Esme, heading to the fair. This is crucial, as Esme has been enlightening Jennie about black men and women disappearing during the Reconstruction era. To underscore the point, Sally may be sheltered from challenging any white people or families due to her father being a U.S. Marshal. Remember, this is Arkansas, still in the South.
Meanwhile, Bass, Billy, and Cole are taken in by an older couple who only speak Spanish. Billy warns Bass not to drink their tea, spotting what seems to be hallucinogenic ingredients on the mantle. Bass takes a sip, and outside, he sees someone in a tree, clearly a figment of his imagination but possibly his subconscious conveying something.
Cole comes out and confesses why he murdered a man. He was a soldier who spread the word that slavery had ended in Texas. He later encountered an owner who killed and burned his slaves. Sometime later, that same man was running for political office. The prospect was too much for Cole to bear.
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Episode 5 Ending Explained: Question 3? Who Does Bass Meet (again) at the Episode’s End?
Lawmen Bass Reeves ends with Bass is genuinely perplexed by the story but still decides to deliver Cole to the transport, and Bass gets the shock of his life — it’s Esau Pierce.
He also has a U.S. Marshall badge on the left side of his chest.
What did you think of Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 5? Comment below.
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