Since 2018, Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe has ballooned into a powerhouse of modern Western TV, paving the way for hits like 1883 and Lawman: Bass Reeves. As influential and successful as the story of the Dutton family and their Montana ranch is, it isn’t the best thing the creator has contributed to television. A gunslinger masterpiece that he produced is gradually gaining steam, and it’s even better than his signature series.
After soaring to success with his so-called New American Frontier trilogy, Taylor Sheridan became the biggest name in modern Western entertainment. Finding success as writer, director and producer alike, he’s nailed the trifecta of official Hollywood legend status. As easy as it is to point to his collaboration with Kevin Costner as the best thing he’s made, he helped bring to fruition the greatest Wild West lawman show of the century.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves Is the Tombstone of Modern Western Television
In 2023, creator Chad Feehan teamed up with Sheridan to produce a Western crime biopic series based on the true story of legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Played by David Oyelowo, the frontier legend is shown from his time as an enslaved soldier of the Confederacy to his defiant escape into Indian territory.
Accurate to real history, he spends time living among the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole tribes, befriending them, growing accustomed to their ways, and learning their languages. The first chapter in a planned anthology franchise that would alternate among marshals, sheriffs, and rangers went completely overlooked as all eyes were on Yellowstone.
The bulk of the miniseries focuses on how Reeves’ history as one of the first Black lawmen, common sense, and compassion come together to make him the best lawman in town. Under the authority of the famous frontier judge Isaac Parker, known for his many hangings, the hero is established as a peace officer of the law.
Serving primarily in the very Indian territory he once called home, he draws on his knowledge to apply the law, track criminals, and mete out justice, not revenge. The series, like any Sheridan-produced Western, takes its fair share of creative liberties, dramatizing Reeves’ real exploits to reflect the broader moral struggles of his time.
This allows Oyelowo to remind audiences of his acting chops, turning in a performance that easily overshadows his Yellowstone counterparts. After all, Reeves lived in a time when the very matter of his humanity was always in question, a stark contrast to the Duttons’ power and influence in Montana.
A no-nonsense lawman building his family in the aftermath of the Civil War is a fantastic premise on paper alone, and the series spins it into pure gold. It’s cut from the same cloth as projects like the Coen Brothers’ True Grit, Tombstone and 3:10 to Yuma, and deserves more recognition as the best Western series of its decade.
The Underrated Taylor Sheridan-Produced Show Blows Yellowstone Away
Yellowstone is an entertaining series, but it’s impossible to deny several glaring issues, from plot holes and unsatisfying character arcs to questionable dialogue. On its worst day, the series strays into the territory of appeasing its audience with not-so-subtle propaganda about the “grit” of Midwesterners.
Between the “you’re the Indians now” message sent to the Dutton family and the blatant misrepresentation of the modern frontier and recent history, this can be tedious at times. When all is said and done, the soap opera-like show ultimately misses the mark with classic Western fans in one key way: It has little to do with the actual Old West.
Although Sheridan tried to rectify these issues with 1883, a series that felt more grounded and took audiences back to the real Old West, Bass Reeves beats it in several key ways. From spotlighting a real historical figure, rather than leaning on alternate history, to a more action-driven approach to the genre, it’s simply more fun and, in its own way, educational.
The story of Bass Reeves is as true to the Western genre’s strengths as it gets, highlighting themes of overcoming oppression, self-determination, and true frontier justice. In this series, audiences will find everything from a strong family drama and examination of the Wild West’s legal system to adventure and action.
When all is said and done, it authentically captures the spirit of the great American frontiersman, while Yellowstone often insists upon itself and its message. A complete mirror image of Sheridan’s lionization of multi-millionaire ranchers clinging to near-endless land, Reeves’ life is defined by struggle, overcoming challenges, and championing true justice. Fortunately, fans will be able to binge the series when it drops on Netflix in June.
Lawman: Bass Reeves Is an Important Western Series
At a time when people rightly point out the way Western fiction overlooks anyone not an Earp, at least as far as lawmen go, Bass Reeves plays a vital role in highlighting lesser-known figures. As fun as the story of Wyatt and Doc Holliday is, this series proves that the life of its main character is so much more captivating, epic and identifiable.
While some question why the genre so often lacks diversity, the series is also a rare case of genuine representation in a genre that too often downplays or excludes non-white characters from prominent roles. To top everything off, Feehan’s series was Donald Sutherland’s final project before his death, ending a stellar career.
As Western fans question its future on the big screen, the Taylor Sheridan-produced Lawman: Bass Reeves proves its place is on TV, leaving Yellowstone in its trail as it heads to Netflix.
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Lawmen: Bass Reeves
- Release Date
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2023 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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Paramount+
- Showrunner
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Chad Feehan, Taylor Sheridan
- Directors
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Damian Marcano, Christina Alexandra Voros
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Dale Dickey
Widow Dolliver
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David Oyelowo
Bass Reeves
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Donald Sutherland
Judge Isaac Parker
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Yellowstone
- Release Date
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2018 – 2024-00-00
- Network
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Paramount Network
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Kevin Costner
John Dutton
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