America: Facts vs. Fiction Season 2 Episode 2 Last Man Standing
- TV-PG
- October 7, 2014
- 22 min
In season 2 episode 2 of America: Facts vs. Fiction, titled Last Man Standing, the show explores the myth of the lone cowboy in the Wild West. Was the American West really populated by courageous gunfighters who stood up to injustice and defended their land against all odds? Or is this simply a popular Hollywood trope that has little basis in fact?
As the episode delves into the history of the American West, viewers are taken on a journey that challenges many commonly held beliefs about this iconic period of American history. The show explores the origins of the cowboy myth, tracing it back to dime novels and other forms of popular culture that romanticized the notion of the solitary hero who rides off into the sunset. However, the reality of life in the Wild West was much more complex.
The show examines the true nature of frontier towns, which were often rife with violence and lawlessness. Rather than being ruled by virtuous lawmen, many towns were actually run by corrupt officials and gangs of outlaws who terrorized the local populace. Meanwhile, life on the range was hard and dangerous, with cowboys facing numerous hazards including weather, predators, and accidents with livestock.
In particular, the episode focuses on the story of one cowboy, Bass Reeves, who has been largely forgotten by history. Reeves was a former slave who became one of the most successful lawmen in the American West, apprehending over 3,000 outlaws during his career. Despite his many accomplishments, Reeves was largely ignored by the media of his time, and has only recently begun to receive recognition as a pioneering figure in American law enforcement.
As the episode concludes, viewers are left with a new understanding of the Wild West, one that is far more nuanced than the simplistic myth of the cowboy. By exploring historical facts and debunking popular myths, America: Facts vs. Fiction offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at the stories that have shaped America's history and identity.
