Paramount+’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode six begins with Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) forced into spending time with Esau Pierce (Barry Pepper), who’s now a Ranger. Esau won’t promise prisoner Jackson Cole will get a fair trial; instead, he insists he’ll get what he deserves.

However, Bass has no choice but to hand over Jackson and allow Esau to take over custody.

Bass and Billy (Forrest Goodluck) make a pitstop at Sara Jumper’s place, but there’s something off. (Bass stayed with Sara when he escaped and was with her son when Esau shot him.) Billy notes that it doesn’t smell right, and after discovering the house is empty, Bass sends Billy off on his own – promising to catch up.

A short while later, Billy convinces Bass they’ve been riding too long and need a break. Bass gives in and promises they can stop in Checotah if Billy stops complaining.

Back at the Reeves farm, Sally meets up with Arthur (Lonnie Chavis), and Arthur is convinced that he needs to leave ASAP. He knows white men will come after him since he fought back when he and Sally were attacked the previous evening. Sally may be safe because she’s a Reeves, but he’s definitely not.

Arthur asks her to leave with him, but Sally declares that Reeves don’t run. Arthur promises he’ll wait for her in Paris by the Seine and send her a poem each day they’re apart.

Bass and Billy ride into Checotah, and it’s quickly apparent that the place is a powder keg just waiting to ignite. Bass steps up to a bar and orders whiskey, while Billy waits outside with the horses. Fortunately, Calista (Blu Hunt), the prostitute Billy swore he was going to marry, spots him on the street and strikes up a conversation.

Billy hands her a book he bought her, and she grabs his arm as they stroll away. Calista takes him back to her room and looks after his neck wound, laughing when he winces like a baby. They kiss and wind up in bed. After sex, Billy asks her to marry him, again, and she insists he can’t afford the ring she wants/deserves.

Back at the bar, Bass gets into it with a man whose loud bragging has gotten on his nerves. The barkeep tells them to take it outside, and only then do they realize they’re both lawmen. The stranger is Texas Ranger Braxton Sawyer (Brian Van Holt and he’s honored to meet the legendary Bass Reeves.

Bass confesses he’s having a hard time reconciling being a lawman, and that badge is as heavy as a chain. He pours himself a few more drinks, steps outside, and is suddenly surrounded by Webb’s friends. Bass takes a few blows without punching back, unsteady on his feet. He finally has enough and fights back, but unfortunately, he’s outnumbered.

The sound of the fight reaches Billy’s ears in Calista’s bed, and he quickly gets dressed and heads down.

The gang’s leader, Dora (Kenneisha Thompson), places one bullet in her pistol and reminds Bass the bounty on his head is the same if he’s dead or alive. She pulls the trigger and the chamber’s empty. She passes the gun to another member of the gang, Moose, and he also pulls the trigger with nothing happening. A third man’s about to try his luck when Billy shoots him in the face, killing him.

The gang quickly hightails it out of there, and Bass compliments Billy’s aim. Bass may be drunk, but he’s fired up and unwilling to let the gang go without at least attempting to track them down.

They walk through town, eyeing the crowd, and Bass spots the gang attempting to sneak off. Billy and Bass quietly pursue the outlaws, splitting up down the dark back streets.

A man gets the jump on Billy and knocks his gun away. They roll around on the ground, exchanging punches. Billy manages to grab his gun and fires twice, but both shots miss.

Meanwhile, the gang’s leader, Dora, is inside a barn ordering Moose to get the horses and not to waste time on saddles. Bass overhears them and waits outside the barndoor, ordering Dora to stop just as she emerges with a horse. Moose is behind her and cocks his pistol, but Bass is quicker and dispatches him with one bullet.

Billy continues searching for more gang members and spots a broken door handle. Two women emerge, faces covered with bonnets. Billy quickly realizes these are men in disguise and orders them to put up their hands.

Bass places Dora in handcuffs, and she joins her two buddies, still dressed as women, who are also in custody. Billy’s still upset Calista turned down his proposal, but at least she brought him out all his clothing.

Back at the Reeves farm, Jennie (Lauren E. Banks) welcomes Esme (Joaquina Kalukango) and Edwin (Grantham Coleman) to her home. She and Esme catch up on old times while Edwin and Sally recite Francis Harper’s “Bury Me in a Free Land.”

Later, Sally spots one of the boys from the fight standing at the edge of the nearby trees. She tells him she’s not scared but grabs her little brother and heads inside nonetheless.

Bass returns home at dinner time, face a mess from the rough beating. He orders Edwin to get out of his seat at the table, and Esme does their formal introduction. Edwin moves, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot.

Bass seems to have taken an instant dislike to Edwin, but Esme insists they’re all very proud of his work as a lawman. Edwin discusses the current state of America for people who are Black, and Bass admits he’s seen much himself. Edwin asks if Bass has heard rumors of Black men being killed for sport, and insists they need to find a place where they can be safe and free.

Sure, Bass is doing well, but why aren’t there more stories like his? Bass notices Edwin’s wedding ring and asks how long he’s been away from his family. That adds a little more tension to the situation, and Jennie chimes in that Edwin wants to see whole towns made up of Black people.

“Whole counties. Whole states,” adds Edwin.

Bass wonders where the Indians will go if Edwin takes over their territory, reminding them his job is to protect Black, red, and white people. Edwin insults Bass by calling him a hired gun, and Bass fires back, asking if Edwin has ever felt the lash on his back. (He hasn’t.) They don’t share the same experiences, no matter what Edwin believes.

Still, Edwin implores Bass to join him in his quest to build a place where everyone can live free.

Jennie figures out why Edwin wants Bass on his side and informs him Bass isn’t a face for his pamphlets or a show pony. Edwin knows when he’s defeated and apologizes, and Jennie escorts him and Esme to the door.

After their company’s gone, Bass visits Sally in her room and apologizes for missing the carnival. Sally picks up on the tension in the house and wants to make sure he and her mom are okay. Bass assures his oldest child that they’re just fine.

Jennie’s next up to receive an apology from Bass for leaving right after he came back. Jennie claims that he brings back less of himself each time he returns. She asks where the light in his eyes went, and Bass doesn’t respond.

The following day, Bass collects his paycheck and discovers he’s short $50. Apparently, Esau killed Jackson Cole after Bass turned him over and then claimed he was already dead when he received him. A telegram from Esau also reveals the Texas Ranger only gave Cole’s boots to the authorities in Fort Worth.

Bass suddenly realizes that it’s possible Esau Pierce is “Mr. Sundown,” the man who’s making Black men disappear. He confronts Ramsey (Rob Morgan), the prisoner who sang about Mr. Sundown, and Ramsey sings, “He ride by night, drawn fast to the firelight. Ain’t no peace to be found when the sun goes down.”

Ramsey’s taken outside to be hung alongside the Dolliver boys. The crowd cheers and Bass has a front-row seat to watch the men lose their lives. One brother tells his mom he loves her in the seconds before the trap door opens.

Ramsey yells out, “Bass Reeves! Mr. Sundown is cinco peso. Cinco peso is Mr. Sundown.”

Bass understands that Ramsey’s confirming Mr. Sundown is a Texas Ranger. He also understands he can do nothing within the law about it.

• Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 1 Recap
• Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 2 Recap
• Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 3 Recap
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