WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Billy the Kid.
Summary
Murphy plans to charge McSween with accessory to murder, while Riley is more concerned about the Regulators’ vengeful determination.
The Regulators engage in a bloody battle with the Jesse Evans Gang, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries on both sides.
The Lincoln County War is in full effect in Billy the Kid season 2, episode 4 titled “The Day of the Dead” with The Regulators continuing to face off against the Jesse Evans Gang. Fueled by vengeance after the wrongful murder of their leader John Tunstall, who was a great mentor to the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid, the Regulators plan their retaliation strategy against Lawrence Murphy and Tunstall’s ruthless killers. Billy, along with fellow Regulators Dick Brewer, Fred Waite, George Coe, Charlie Bowdre, and Tom O’Folliard, fight fire with fire, targeting one of Murphy’s most trusted allies.
Billy The Kid season 2, episode 3 depicted how Murphy and his associate John Riley, who ordered the killing of Tunstall in cold blood, initially believed that removing Tunstall from the picture would secure their monopoly over Lincoln County. Billy the Kid had other plans in mind, rallying up the group of Tunstall’s former enforcers under attorney Alex McSween, refusing to let Murphy, Jesse Evans, and the corrupt lawman William Brady get away without consequences. All hope for reconciliation between Billy the Kid and Jesse Evans appears lost in the violent mid-season finale. Billy the Kid season 2 will return to MGM+ sometime in 2024.
7 The Regulators Are Wanted For The Murders Of Baker & Morton
Billy The Kid Killed Both Jesse Evans Gang Members In Cold Blood
Billy the Kid season 2, episode 4 kicks off with the immediate aftermath of the previous episode in which Billy murders two members of the Jesse Evans Gang, William Morton and Frank Baker. Earlier in Billy the Kid season 2, Baker had thought about killing Billy while he had the chance after the Jesse Evans Gang betrayed The Regulators once they broke them out of prison. Billy didn’t hesitate when he had the opportunity to avenge Tunstall’s death, killing both suspected men for being involved in the ambush on Tunstall. The Regulators realize they will be treated as fugitives and outlaws after Billy killed Baker and Morton but up the ante of their violent rebuttal rather than flee Lincoln County.
6 Murphy Orchestrates An Accessory To Murder Charge On McSween
Killing McSween Would Give Murphy & Riley Full Reign Of Lincoln County
Murphy and his unpredictable business associate Riley discuss how to respond to the threat that Billy the Kid and the Regulators still pose to their monopoly over Lincoln County. Riley encourages Murphy, whose alcoholism has been a persistent problem for him throughout Billy the Kid season 2, to be mindful of the Regulators’ determination to defend McSween even after Tunstall’s death. Murphy plans to have Sheriff William Brady arrest McSween the next time he rides into town and plant an accessory to murder charge on him for the deaths of Baker and Morton, resulting in McSween being lawfully hanged. Riley is more concerned about The Regulators than Murphy is but agrees with his plan for McSween.
5 The Regulators Ambush & Kill Sheriff William Brady
Brady Had Colluded With Murphy To Wrongfully Arrest & Hang McSween
Riley orchestrates a party on Main Street in Lincoln to avoid attention from the public in his and Murphy’s plan to have McSween arrested. They have Sheriff William Brady, who Dick Brewer previously suspected of being bribed by the Murphy House, waiting at the edge of town for McSween to arrive with his wife so that he can be served an arrest warrant and taken into custody. Billy the Kid and The Regulators sneak into town and open fire on Sheriff Brady, effectively killing him with multiple gunshot wounds. A massive shootout takes place between the Jesse Evans Gang and the Regulators which resulted in several deaths and bloodshed on both sides. Billy makes a point to grab the arrest warrant for McSween off Brady’s body and gets shot in the leg.
4 Tom O’Folliard Gets Shot In The Leg & Nearly Bleeds Out
Billy Had Warned Tom About The Dangers Of Fighting With The Regulators
Tom O’Folliard is the most wounded of the Regulators from the bloody battle and needs serious medical attention. Billy the Kid, who had warned Tom about the dangers of getting too involved with the Regulators earlier in the episode, comes to Tom’s rescue and rushes him off to McSween’s house. The McSweens are able to tend to the severely wounded Tom along with Billy the Kid as the Regulators continue the shootout against the Jesse Evans Gang. Eager to get back and help the Regulators, Billy gives Tom food, water, and a blanket and hides him under the floorboards of the McSween house.
3 Billy Reflects On His Lost Love With Dulcinea Del Tobosco
Dulcinea Thought Billy Gave Up Violent Past But Was Wrong
Billy reflects on his lost love with Dulcinea Del Tobosco for a brief moment in season 2, episode 4. Billy had previously told Dulcinea that he had no choice but to wage war against Murphy and the Jesse Evans Gang to avenge John Tunstall’s death. Dulcinea did not see eye to eye with Billy on the matter, claiming that he lied to her and that he had agreed to be done with a life of violence and criminality. Dulcinea went so far as to kick Billy out of her house once she discovered his intentions. It appears that Billy did love Dulcinea and went so far as to talk to her father about marriage but ended up sacrificing his love for his beliefs.
2 The Regulators Fight Jesse Evans’ Gang At The Battle Of Blazer’s Mill
Billy The Kid Leads An Aggressive Attack Against His Old Friend’s Posse
One of the most epic battles in Billy the Kid season 2 arrives toward the end of episode 4 in the historic Battle of Blazer’s Mill. Eager to continue the aggressive attack on the Jesse Evans Gang after killing William Brady, Billy the Kid leads the Regulators in a charge against them. The long-range shootout eventually becomes very close quarters, with Charlie Bowdrie nearly losing his life in the battle. Jesse has a clear shot at Billy but refuses to take it and lets him and Charlie escape. The scene depicts the part of the real-life Battle of Blazer’s Mill that occurred during the Lincoln County War in 1878.
1 Pat Garrett Is Named The New Sheriff Of Lincoln County
Garrett And Billy Used To Work Together In Season 1
The final scene in Billy the Kid season 2, episode 4 reveals the new Sheriff of Lincoln County, Pat Garrett. Garrett is quickly appointed by Murphy and Riley after being approved by Santa Fe Ring leader Thomas Catron. In real life, Garrett was elected as Sheriff of Lincoln County by its townspeople and was not the immediate successor to William Brady. Garrett is hired with the expectation of ceasing the violence in Lincoln County, which starts and ends with arresting or killing Billy the Kid and the Regulators. The remaining episodes of Billy the Kid season 2, and potentially the eventual yet unconfirmed Billy the Kid season 3, will chronicle the hunt for Billy the Kid and his eventual death at the hand of Pat Garrett.
Release Date: 2022-04-24
Cast: Tom Blyth, Eileen O’Higgins, Daniel Webber, Alex Roe
Genres: Western
Rating: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Writers: Michael Hirst
Streaming Sevice: MGM+
Showrunner: Michael Hirst
