This article of the Paramount+ series Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 7, “Part VII,” contains spoilers.
The Lawmen Bass Reeves episode titled “Part VII” has a stunning turn by David Oyelowo. The actor takes Bass’s obsession to a new level and is magnetic here. Oyelowo elevates the series above your standard CBS-funded Western.
Lawmen Bass Reeves “Part VII” opens with Bass’s mental health and well-being having been tested all season. During the episode, it all comes to a head. We cannot hear what is said while Bass stands in the courtroom.
The decision to have the audio during the episode is a choice to reflect the lawman’s mental state, obsessed with the fact that Esau is “Mr. Sundown.” Something has happened, but we don’t know why he is on trial. The opening credits roll before Judge Parker allows the jury to read the verdict.
Also Read: Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 4 Recap and Review: Does Billy Crow Kill Ramsey?
Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: Why is Bass obsessing over Esau?
The troubled Bass (David Oyelowo) is obsessed with Esau because he murdered a child he loved like a son, Curtis Jumper. During the episode, you will see that Bass cannot eliminate what he has seen Esau (Barry Pepper) do with his life.
Killing Curtis, scalping an enemy soldier, and the fact that he left Jackson in the hands of what amounts to a serial killer. Rewind to six weeks later. The titular character is having dinner with his wife, Jennie, Judge Parker, and his wife. Bass is still lost in thought and still hears Esau’s voice in his head.
Judge Parker (Donald Sutherland) notices Bass’s lack of focus. Parker takes Bass off the highly stressful and long-distance cases. Bass is assigned a chance to bring in an outlaw but ends up arresting his wife, Moody O’Neil, who killed them with a candle holder. Moody is taken into custody.
Why Are Jennie and Sally in danger in Lawmen Bass Reeves?
Jennie (Lauren E Banks) and Sally are in danger because of a visitor and a warning left in front of their house. The scene starts with Esme arriving to confirm that Edwin was using her to get to Bass. This leads to another scene that indicates more trouble in the Bass marriage. Jennie tells Esme that Bass is gone so much; he isn’t a father to his children.
That’s when there is a knock at the door. It’s Clementine, the little girl who tried to budge Sally in line at the fair. She is sweet, but her three questions are cold. Her first question was if this was the Bass residence. The next is if Bass was home, and the last is if Sally was home. She then runs off. Jennie confronts Sally and comes clean about the incident with her mother.
The last is at dinner with Esme and Jennie’s children; one of the children points outside. Someone has lit a scarecrow on fire (and possibly placed it) in their front yard. Jennie tells Sally to take the children upstairs. Jennie and Esme have a look of concern. However, when Bass arrives home, the incident is never mentioned to him.
Also Read: Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 6 Recap and Review: Who is Mr. Sundown?
Episode 7 Ending Explained: Why is Bass on Trial?
Bass is arrested for killing the Chuckwagon cook, Willy. Bass shot Willy in the neck because he attempted to draw his weapon. Bass pulled his gun on Willy when they found out the following day. He let Moody go during the night.
Bass fires, shooting him in the neck. Willy bleeds out and dies. Bass is arrested and put on trial. However, he is acquitted. It appears Judge Parker may have overruled the jury’s verdict. Jennie cries joyfully, but Bass cannot get Esau out of his mind. \
You’ll also notice how Bass and Jennie do not talk. There’s something strange about it, but I don’t want to speculate here. To read more of my thoughts on the matter, read my prediction article on Lawmen Bass Reeves’s season finale here.
Lawmen Bass Reeves ends with Bass announcing to Jennie in the room that he will arrest Esau. It appears that Bass leaves with Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck) and Sherill Lynn (Dennis Quaid), riding into the sunset heading for Texas.
What did you think of Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 7? Comment below.
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