This article of the Paramount+ series Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 8, “Part VIII,” contains spoilers.
The episode of Lawmen Bass Reeves titled “Part VII” features Bass, Sherill, and Billy on the road to kill Esau Pierce, the leader of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles. Bass and Sherill catch a man, but we don’t know why. They abduct him and load him into the wagon that Billy is commanding.
After questioning him, Bass instructs Sherill to take his boots and let him go. Sherill objects, calling him soft. It does not matter; Bass may swing an iron fist, but he has a morality many of his brothers in arms don’t have. While leaving, we see Sherill enter the shack and hear a gunshot go off.
Sherill confirms the killing later. Why did he do it? Simply put, if they let him go, he may contact Esau to say that Bass is coming for him. The season finale of Lawmen Bass Reeves is a riveting episode. The deep bench of actors all make an appearance.
Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 8 Recap: Who from Jennie’s past visit while Bass is away?
Rachel Reeves, the wife of Colonel George Reeves, makes a surprise appearance at the Reeves homestead. When Jennie arrives with her four other children from church, Rachel sits with Sally on the porch. This triggers memories of Jennie when Sally was born. Jennie thinks of Rachel insisting on holding Sally as a newborn without permission as if she were Reeves’s family property.
Rachel keeps dancing around why she has come to see Jennie. She’s polite but keeps hinting at changing laws, including George, who’s politicking in Texas. Eventually, she reveals that she wants to take the entire family home. Rachel says the laws will soon force the Bass family off their land. Would Jennie (Lauren E. Banks) want her kids to attend Rachel’s house or work in a field?
Of course, she uses a retched word to describe them. Jennie (Lauren E Banks) then proves where Sally got her bravery. Jennie slaps Rachel, who cries and runs from the home. Jennie begins to cry tears herself, knowing she has put her family in danger. She later visits Esme at church.
Also Read: Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 6 Recap and Review: Who is Mr. Sundown?
What happens when Bass enters Esau’s ranch?
Bass (David Oyelowo) arrives at Esau’s ranch and sees footprints of a monster he referred to months prior. Bass is relieved of his weapons as well by Esau’s armed guards. Remember, this period has passed over a decade since Juneteenth in Texas. Yet, as Bass and his horse get to his home, he sees dozens of black men working the field, being supervised by men with guns.
Esau (Barry Pepper) greets him from the second-floor balcony. Bass lies and says he was there to collect the money when he delivered Jack Rabbit. (Esau reported Bass only delivered the “boots,” which was a lie.) There is a dinosaur skull in the foyer. Esau pays him double the money for his troubles. However, later, he shows Bass Jack Rabbit, who is strung up and being tortured.
Esau asks Bass to unchain Cole from the post. He does, and then Esau and his two men point their guns at Bass. Esau then tells Bass to chain himself. After a moment, we hear a shot from the trees. Billy Crow kills one of the armed men. Everyone scatters. Bass chases Esau. Sherill and Billy chase the remaining men into the woods. Sherill steps into a bear trap and screams. His leg is mangled.
Also Read: Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 6 Recap and Review: Who is Mr. Sundown?
Episode 8 Ending Explained: Who dies in the season finale of Lawmen Bass Reeves?
Lawmen Bass Reeves’s season ends with Bass Reeves killing Esau and Sherill Lynn eating his gun. Sherill gives his shield to Billy, telling him he will do the badge proudly. When Billy leaves, Sherill (Dennis Quaid)) puts the gun in his mouth and shoots, knowing his wound will eventually kill him. Bill returns to the homestead and gives Bass his horse so he can go after Esau.
Bass catches up to Esau and fires his rifle while riding his horse at full speed. He hits his target, and Esau falls. Bass approaches and Esau gets to his knees. Bass fires, killing him. Reeves frees the men under Esau’s control. Bass gives Cole the money from Esau’s safe so he can take them to Kansas. He gives Billy (Forrest Goodluck) a diamond from the safe so he can marry his crush.
When he returns home, Bass hugs his wife. He says, “I’m home. Every part of me.” Jennie replies, “And me.” Bass then says, “Forever.” We then get a montage of Bass Reeves’s journey since his days fighting for the South in the Civil War and his trials and tribulations as a lawman. The season ends with Bass approaching his family as the children play with Jennie in the backyard field.
What did you think of Lawmen Bass Reeves Season 1 Episode 8? Comment below.
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