IR TV Review: LAWMEN - BASS REEVES - PART III [Paramount+]

Through the first two episodes of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves", it was about how the foundations of this man's life and experiences shaped him but also the decisions he had made to get him to this point in his life. These were key to making him who we see him at the beginning of Part III. With responsibilities in hand but also a moral compass, Reeves is not a pushover but is perhaps too willing to see the good in people when there is a lot of bad floating in his neck of the woods. He engages with a judge in the form of Donald Sutherland who perhaps is sage in his advice but also a product of his time as well as in the balance of the essence of looking away. Even though he sees things a certain way, there always will be an absolute. This also is related to whom Bass chooses to work with. Like Dennis Quaid's marshall had done with him in the episode before, Reeves finds that many people make their own choices and live with it.

The posse man he hires here is an interesting actor, one that many will know, who perhaps jus wanted to play in this sandbox for one episode, which is the episode's gain. David Olewoyo brings a gravity to Reeves as he has before but perhaps in a more lived in element, much like Costner's Wyatt Earp. It is not lost that Dennis Quaid had played Doc Holliday to Costner's intrepid lawman back in the 90s. Reeves has much to protect but he can't do everything. His approach is sound but leaves him open for trouble and backstabbing. But as long as he has something to strive for and come back home to, there is nothing he can't handle (while still trying to be a realist). The key is how can he affect change and in what context. Bass Reeves is a powerful character who makes no apologies. Olewoyo disappears behind his countenance which makes the story and performance even better, despite wherever his path might lead him. A-

By Tim Wassberg