Bass Reeves: A Historical Twist in Taylor Sheridan's Latest Western

In the lackluster western prequels to the popular series "Yellowstone," producer Taylor Sheridan ventures into more promising territory with "Lawmen: Bass Reeves." This new series promises to explore the lives of different frontier lawmen and outlaws in each season. Although the pacing still has its flaws, the show gains historical significance due to its subject matter and the stellar performance of David Oyelowo, who portrays the Black 19th-century US marshal.

By utilizing the episodic eight-episode format, the Paramount+ series begins with a striking scene featuring Bass Reeves, an enslaved Black man, fighting alongside the Confederate Army under the command of his mentally unstable master George Reeves (portrayed by Shea Whigham, not to be confused with the actor of TV's Superman). Bass eventually manages to escape and spends the remaining days of the Civil War in hiding before settling down and attempting to become a farmer.

In 1875, a gruff US marshal named Dennis Quaid crosses paths with Bass and convinces him to help track down a wanted fugitive. Despite their clashes, the marshal recognizes Reeves' sincerity and recommends him for a permanent law enforcement position, describing him as "the most earnest man I have ever met."

Similar to other series produced by Sheridan, this show is defined by the protagonist's square-jawed earnestness, which ultimately oversimplifies the drama. Nevertheless, these qualities appeal to Judge Parker, played by Donald Sutherland, who continues Sheridan's tradition of casting respected actors. In the show, Parker tells the new marshal, "I require a man who possesses both a reliable firearm and unwavering integrity."

Developed by Chad Feehan ("Ray Donovan"), and with Oyelowo as one of the executive producers, "Bass Reeves" once again revolves around resilient and principled men who speak little, navigating through challenging and gritty times. What sets this series apart is its choice to center on Reeves, infusing the concept with themes of race and moral ambiguity, thereby adding depth to the narrative, albeit to a modest extent.

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

The Sheridans brand's popularity has led to a significant expansion of his Paramount portfolio, comparable to the size of Dick Wolf's portfolio. This includes titles such as "1883," "1923," "Mayor of Kingstown," "Tulsa King," and "Special Ops: Lioness." The reasons behind this surge in popularity remain somewhat mysterious, but it's evident that there is always a demand for familiar and comforting content, as seen in the success of "Yellowstone" and its soap-opera elements. With the resurgence of small-screen westerns, there is a clear trend of reviving old concepts in a new and exciting way.

The single-season anthology format, similar to National Geographic's "Genius," presents an excellent opportunity to thoroughly explore historical figures from the Old West in each edition. Additionally, it serves as an effective method to attract renowned actors who may be hesitant to commit to a long-term project. Paramount's "Bass Reeves" serves as the initial installment of what is expected to be an ongoing franchise. While it delivers a solid start, it falls short of fully capturing the essence of its captivating subject. The true evaluation will occur when "Lawmen" attempts to follow up.

"Lawmen: Bass Reeves" premieres November 5 on Paramount+.