For instance, we know that Billy the Kid met his end at the age of 21, having allegedly claimed 20 lives in his quest for justice. And in a telling twist, the series has already introduced the sheriff who would put an end to his reign of terror. This hints at the likelihood that Season 2 could be the show's swan song, as Billy's days of survival are numbered. Yet, it's perhaps unwise to take the historical details of Billy the Kid too seriously. For one, based on sketches from the time, Billy didn't resemble the dashing leading man Tom Blyth. Moreover, the show's almost unapologetic simplification of morality has painted Billy as a hero, standing on the side of righteousness against the egregiously evil drunkard Lawrence Murphy, his old rival Jesse Evans, and the sinister secret societies they are closely associated with.
In "The Road to Hell," we find Billy embracing John Tunstall, a well-intentioned Englishman who is battling Murphy for control of Lincoln County, New Mexico, with a position of not murdering the natives willy-nilly. Things are looking up for Billy; he manages to finesse a first date with Dulcinea Del Tobosco and knows he's finally on the right side of things. Tunstall, in every way except an open gunfight, seems like he might be a match for Murphy. Of course, Billy hasn't considered the lengths his adversaries might go to secure a victory, which most viewers might not have considered either given that John Riley's murder of his compatriot Jim Dolan deviates from the real-life record somewhat.
I'm delighted by this development as it lends the show some welcome unpredictability. Simply browsing Wikipedia pages of the major players doesn't seem sufficient anymore; a new interpretation of these characters and events can only be a good thing – after all, no one thinks this is a documentary.
It is heartening to envision this narrative arc continuing with the introduction of Tom O’Folliard, Billy’s real-life BFF, who met a similar fate at the hands – and gun – of the same Sheriff. Tom’s debut in the Season 2 premiere is a poignant one, his heroic admiration for Billy and his own wrenching backstory painting a sympathetic portrait. While Billy offers to teach Tom the ways of ranching, it’s clear that as the Lincoln County War intensifies, he’ll need to hone other skills too. Tunstall harbors the hope that this conflict can be waged on more honorable grounds, and to that end, his lawyer, McSween, forges a partnership with Judge Wilson, one of Lincoln County’s few remaining impartial officials, to take on Murphy and the House through the courts. Wilson, whose son was slain by Jesse Evans’ gang at Murphy’s behest, has ample motive to bring Murphy down, but his close ties to the Santa Fe Ring make this endeavor somewhat far-fetched.
Furthermore, we are introduced to Thomas Catron in “The Road to Hell,” the leader of the Santa Fe Ring and thus the most powerful man in New Mexico. He reveals a distinct interest in Billy the Kid, a revelation that Billy clearly takes as a figment of his imagination. Given that Old Moss is a fictional construct, it’s not to be taken too seriously. His warning that “things don’t always work out the way you want ‘em to” carries a heavy dose of foreboding, but it’s somewhat disappointing that the premiere chose to deliver this message – which echoes throughout the episode – in such a blunt and quasi-mystical manner.
Nonetheless, this is the only genuine disappointment amidst an otherwise robust opening episode, so we’ll overlook it for now.
