Last week's episode of "Billy the Kid" concluded with the titular outlaw killing two of Jesse's men and declaring, "We're the law in Lincoln now." But when Episode 4 kicks off, it seems Sheriff Brady hasn't received that memo.
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In fact, he's set to charge Billy (Tom Blyth) and his newly-christened Regulators with the murders. Alexander McSween - serving as the group's sole voice of reason in the wake of Tunstall's death - tells the Kid, "You're wanted men now, and you'll be arrested on site." The lawyer urges the Regulators to skip town until things cool down.
But Billy ain't budging. He and his Regulators decide to stay put and stick to their guns, literally, a bold decision that brings dire consequences to both sides of the Lincoln County War's battle lines. To learn who lives, who dies, and what fan-favorite character moseys back into town after a long absence, let's dive into our full recap of "Billy the Kid" Season 2 Episode 4, eerily titled "Day of the Dead."
Warning, spoilers ahead for "Billy the Kid" Season 2, Episode 4.
Corrupt Murphy and Riley cook up another crooked plan
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Billy's not the only one in trouble with the law, as Alexander (Luke Camilleri) is being summoned to town to face bogus embezzlement charges. But knowing the claims have been cooked up, he's anxious to have his day in court and clear his name. Of course, Murphy (Vincent Walsh) and Riley (Shaun Benson) also know the accusations against the attorney are false, so they come up with an alternate plan to eliminate him, permanently.
The pair of connivers intend to have Sheriff Brady arrest him before he can even arrive in court, then have one of their corrupt judges convict and hang him. But Riley fears the Regulators will interfere with the preemptive arrest, leading him to put another scheme in motion. He recruits his associate with strong ties to the Mexican community - the same man who caught his daughter in a compromising position with Jesse (Daniel Webber) in Episode 1 - to help host a festival on the day of the trial. He hopes the distraction, complete with horse racing and cockfighting, will allow Brady to quietly take McSween into custody.
When the court day arrives, the festival is in full swing, filling the main street with plenty of hustle, bustle, and happy revelers. Meanwhile, McSween and his better half leave their home to make his meeting with the judge. Charlie Bowdre follows from a safe distance to scout for any trouble. Back at the Regulator's home base, the boys are enjoying the day, playing poker and indulging in food and drink. That is, until Dick Brewer arrives with bad news. The former deputy has received a tip about Riley and Murphy's dirty plan. Billy grabs his gun, rounds up his men, and intends to provide Alexander safe passage. Tom O'Folliard adamantly insists on joining the posse, to which Billy initially scoffs, but ultimately allows.
Back in town - where at least one poor rooster has met its demise during the festival - Riley tells Jesse to stay on his toes. He and his Seven Rivers Gang are serving as the event's "security," but Jesse warns Riley not to underestimate the Kid. Just then, Brady and his crooked deputies emerge from the Sheriff's station, armed with rifles and the phony arrest warrant. As they slowly push through the party, Billy and his men arrive at the outskirts of town. They dismount their steeds, ready their weapons, and close in.
The Lincoln County War claims its second major victim
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The lawyer and his wife Susan - with Charlie still in tow - are further away, but fast approaching. As a lively mariachi band entertains the festival goers, Brady and his men unassumingly make their way toward the courthouse. But they never reach their destination, as Billy suddenly moves in and puts a bullet in Brady's gut. Needless to say, all hell promptly breaks loose. The revelers rush off in a panic, the Seven Rivers Gang pours into the streets, and Billy and the Regulators take cover.
While their buddies lay down suppressive fire, the Kid and Tom make a move to retrieve the warrant from Brady, who's bleeding out in the street. They secure the paperwork, but not before taking a bullet each. Billy's wound isn't bad, but Tom's leg is gushing blood like a broken faucet. In the ensuing chaos, Riley yells at his supporter who helped organize the festival/distraction, blaming the "Mexicans" for the fallout. Not far from town, McSween and Charlie hear the gunfire and decide the lawyer should return home for safety.
In the streets, Buckshot Roberts and some other Seven Rivers thugs get a foothold and attempt to flush Billy out. But the Kid's already got a good head start to McSween's, where he hopes to get Tom some help before he succumbs to his wound. The tables also turn when Charlie arrives in town, giving the Regulators the upper hand and ultimately allowing them to escape.
When we catch up with Billy and Tom, the latter's getting his injury dressed by Susan. After playing doctor, she urges her husband and the Kid to leave and find a safer place to hide. But Tom can't be moved in his ailing state, so they decide to hide the burgeoning gunslinger under the floorboards of the McSween's kitchen. The rest of the Regulators soon show up, and they all take off, save for Tom, who's cradling a pistol in his claustrophobic hiding spot.
But Jesse and his boys aren't far behind. In hot pursuit of Billy, the Seven Rivers Gang is about to ride right past the McSween residence when Riley spots spilled blood on the porch. He barges into the home and interrogates Susan on who she's hiding in the house. As Jesse's boots walk across the creaky boards covering Tom, she insists he took off with the rest of the Regulators. Riley's not buying it, but Jesse hastily rushes them from the home to catch up with the Kid.
Having wasted too much time, however, the Seven Rivers Gang loses this round to the Regulators. They regroup to plot their next move, but not before getting a good scolding from Murphy and Riley for letting Billy get away. Reacting to his bosses' disappointment, Buckshot Roberts steps up with a promise: "I'll hunt and kill the Kid myself." While Billy's demise is being plotted in town, he's sneaking back to Alexander's to recover Tom. The young man's unconscious but still breathing. Billy, Alexander, and his wife carefully get Tom on a horse and they all take off under the cover of night.
There's a new Sheriff in town
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The next morning, a large, somber group attends Brady's funeral. A drunken Murphy leads the service, briefly eulogizing the late Sheriff before going off on a tirade about Billy. He stirs up the crowd, calling for Billy the Kid's capture and hanging. Following the funeral, Riley meets with Edgar Walz, who - as always - comes bearing bad news from his boss/father-in-law, Thomas Catron. With Brady being gunned down in the street, Catron's concerned about Lincoln County's reputation and, more specifically, how a bad rep will affect his business interests there. But he has a solution: Appoint a new Sheriff who will readily restore law and order to the town.
At the Regulator's camp, Billy's friend Juan Patron warns the Kid he could lose support from the Mexican community following his cold-blooded murder of Brady. The Kid's men are also feeling a bit skittish in the aftermath of the ambush and want to lay low for a while. But Billy insists they're now being hunted and should instead take the fight to their enemies. That evening, a restless Billy stares at a picture of Dulcinea and flashes back to happier times with his would-be wife.
The following day, the Kid gets his opportunity to bring the fight to Jesse and his boys. Juan's nephew's been tracking the Seven Rivers Gang, and knows where they're located. The Regulators - save for an on-the-mend Tom who Billy insists stay behind - head to Jesse's last known location, where they quickly pick up his tracks. Looking to cover more ground, they split up - Billy takes some of his posse in one direction, while Juan, Charlie, and some others follow a different path.
Before long, Billy's group comes across Buckshot Roberts and a few other Seven Rivers members. Upon spotting each other, both sides hunker down and begin exchanging fire. They each suffer casualties during an extended skirmish, but Billy's men eventually get the upper hand and force Buckshot and his remaining boys to flee. Juan's group isn't so lucky, as they soon run into Jesse and his men. After a brief chase, Juan's nephew is brutally gunned down, and Charlie's knocked from his horse.
Forced to find cover on foot, Bowdre hides behind a boulder while Jesse and another man attempt to flush him out. Charlie's able to take out the second gunman, but Jesse's too quick, pulling his pistol on him and angrily interrogating him on the Kid's whereabouts. Just as Jesse's screaming about frying the Kid up for breakfast, however, Billy shows up right behind him with his pistol drawn. The former friends briefly face off, but Jesse's more concerned with convincing Billy he didn't kill Tunstall. Charlie hops on Billy's horse and the two take off. With his gun pointing at Billy, Jesse looks both angry he's lost him again and relieved the Kid didn't kill him.
As night falls and the episode draws to a close, we return to town. A mysterious man rides his horse down the main street. He arrives at Murphy's store, where he's greeted by Riley, "So, our new Sheriff." Riley then offers him a drink and begins advising the new, still-unknown lawman on forming a posse and riding the Regulators out of town.
With the Sheriff's back turned toward the camera, he confidently states he's not afraid of dealing with Billy the Kid. Murphy then emerges from the back and asks the man's name. As the camera pans to his face, we see a familiar black hat and mustache to match. He quietly introduces himself: "My name's Garret. Pat Garret."
Questions and Predictions
Prediction: The series will take a breather...for a bit: With Season 2 going on hiatus at its halfway point, we're guessing it'll also take a break from the battlefield when it returns in 2024. The last two episodes have been packed with flying bullets and rising body counts -- including the shocking deaths of Tunstall and Brady -- but with Pat Garret back in the game, we're thinking the deck will be reshuffled before the all-out war continues.
Will Catron return in person? Episode 1 introduced a heavy we immediately loved hating in Thomas Catron. But aside from his weaselly son-in-law Edgar Walz regularly bringing up the baddie in conversation and carrying out his orders, the villain has been absent. We know Catron desperately wants to stop the Kid, so hopefully, the season's latter half will put the spotlight back on this compelling character.
"Billy the Kid" Season 2 will be back with new episodes in 2024.
