Paramount+’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode three picks up the action on May 10, 1875. Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) has been offered a job as a Deputy US Marshal, and before heading to the Fort Smith Courthouse to speak with Judge Parker about the position, he kisses his beautiful, pregnant wife Jennie (Lauren E. Banks) goodbye.
“Make us proud, you hear?” says Jennie.
Bass engages in a conversation with a young man under arrest as he’s waiting to speak with the judge. The panicking young man asks for Bass’ help, claiming the man he killed was attacking him – but Bass doesn’t respond. Instead, he heads into Judge Parker’s office and learns Parker (Donald Sutherland) was encouraged to hire him because he’s Black. However, that’s not why Parker’s making him a Deputy US Marshal. Judge Parker is impressed with Bass’ moral character and skills with a gun, and Bass accepts the job and is sworn in.
Before he leaves, Bass asks if Judge Parker can help the young man outside. Parker advises Bass that the boy needs a lawyer.
A stagecoach stops to help a Native American who’s struggling while repairing a wheel on a wagon. Unfortunately, it’s a trap, and Billy Crow (Forrest Goodluck) is part of a gang of outlaws robbing unsuspecting travelers.
That robbery leads to Bass’ first assignment. Florence, who claims to run the US Marshal’s office, hands Bass his first task while Garrett Montgomery (Garrett Hedlund) hangs around nearby. Garrett offers to help and describes himself as a posse man with a lengthy history of working for lawmen. For $6, he’ll help apprehend Billy. Bass agrees since Garrett appears to know the territory well.
Bass and Garrett arrive in another town while tracking Billy, and Garrett reveals he thinks the Underwood gang – led by a woman – is behind the robbery. Garrett’s dealt with the gang before and describes the woman as “pure venom.” Bass believes the hotel employees will know where the gang’s conducting business. That deduction startles Garrett, who apparently underestimated Bass.
The bartender knows Garrett well, as it seems he’s got a gambling problem and owes the establishment money. And according to the barkeep, he owes everyone money. Wisely, Bass suggests Garrett step outside and attend to the horses.
It turns out Billy and the gang aren’t staying at the hotel, but the barkeep points out a table of gamblers. Bass sits down for a hand or two, but instead of taking the pot he won, he wants information. After a tense standoff, Bass learns the gang’s rig is nearby and Billy’s guarding it.
Bass confronts Billy, who lies and claims to be someone else. Garrett spots Mabel Underwood (Paula Malcomson) in a carriage, and he warns her that when Billy sings, they’ll take her and her partner Huff in, too.
Billy makes a run for it and Bass gives chase, knocking him to the ground before he can get very far. (Billy also underestimated Bass.)
Garrett and Bass head back to Fort Smith with Billy in custody. It’s a lose/lose situation for Billy since Parker will hang him if he doesn’t spill his guts, and the gang will kill him if he talks. Billy calls himself a low-ranking employee of the gang and is upset they’re trying to get him to rat the gang out.
They make camp for the night, and although it’s bitter cold, they don’t make a fire. Garrett complains he’s losing his nuts in the cold, but Bass doesn’t want to give away their location.
Billy confesses he knows where they hid the money they stole from the stagecoach. Huff wanted to keep it for a while so they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves. Garrett suggests they head to the stash, split the money, and let Billy go. Bass, of course, says no. He’s committed to the oath and is determined to bring Billy in.
Garrett warns that he’s not asking Bass for permission; he’s telling him this is what they’re going to do. Bass’ hand slowly inches toward his weapon, and he silently makes his way to his feet. Garrett also stands, shocked Bass would shoot him rather than get the stash.
Bass didn’t stand to shoot Garrett; he stood up because he saw men stealthily approaching their location. No sooner does he say that than Garrett takes a bullet to his eye and dies. Bullets fly, but Bass only fires once and kills a member of the gang. He grabs Billy and they make a run for the horses, pausing behind a large tree so that Bass can shoot two more Underwood gang members.
They run a few more yards and hide behind another tree as one of the gang calls out to Billy to give away Bass’ location. Billy’s freaking out, sure that he’s going to die. Bass is equally positive they won’t.
Bass kills another gang member and orders Billy to stay put as he pursues the last surviving attacker, Huff Underwood (Tim Walker Anderson). Bass gives chase and finds a good spot for cover and to take a shot. It takes an extra bullet, but he finishes off Hugh.
The following morning, he packs up the camp, which is now littered with dead bodies. He takes their boots and strings them up on his saddle next to Garrett’s dead body. The other bodies will be left for the crows to pick over.
Billy thanks Bass for saving him. Bass, a man of very few words, doesn’t respond.
They make it back to Fort Smith, and as Bass is turning Billy into the jail, he asks about the stash. Billy insists it’s at Eagle Pass, buried at the base of sister oaks with entwined roots.
Bass makes it into Judge Parker’s courtroom as the young man he met earlier is given a death sentence for murder. Judge Parker is sympathetic to the man’s plight but has no choice but to follow the law.
Afterward, Bass meets with Judge Parker in his office and says Garrett Montgomery died heroically in the line of duty. (He didn’t, but Bass is a good man who doesn’t want to unnecessarily disparage the dead man.) “About that Billy Crow, he’s not a bad soul – just confused,” says Bass. Parker points out that confusion isn’t a defense but will take the fact that Billy revealed the location of the stash into consideration.
Back at home, Jennie informs her oldest daughter, Sally, that she’ll need to start shouldering more responsibilities now that the new baby is almost here. Jennie breaks up the serious conversation by playfully splashing water at her oldest.
A short while later, Sally’s doing her chores when she finds a flower pinned to the clothesline. Arthur Mayberry’s waiting nearby, and they go for a walk to get to know each other. They talk about their families, and Arthur reveals he’s an orphan whose mom passed away when he was just five. His dad was killed in the war.
Jennie’s tending to the sheep when she goes into labor. The baby’s coming faster than expected, and there’s no time to fetch any help. It’s up to Sally to follow instructions and help her mom deliver her new sibling.
Bass finally returns home and sees Jennie sound asleep in a chair, cradling their new baby. He kneels down next to them and Jennie stirs, moving her head to lean against her husband’s face. She confirms she’s all right, and Bass says now that he’s home, he’s all right too.
Bass takes the slumbering babe from Jennie’s arms and holds him gently against his chest. He stares in awe and love at his newborn child.
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 1 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 2 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 4 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 5 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 6 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 7 Recap
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves Episode 8 Season Finale Recap
