The Western genre has seen no shortage of adaptations attempting to tackle the short, fascinating life of legendary outlaw Billy the Kid. Over the years, countless films, shows, and documentaries have tried to tell the most accurate, entertaining tale of the iconic Old West antihero.
But last year's aptly titled Billy the Kid did an especially good job not only portraying the infamous gunslinger but also breathing a gritty authenticity into the harsh world that helped shape his tragic path. This welcome approach resulted in a much more sympathetic take on the character, as played with intense emotion and incredible nuance by the talented Tom Blyth.
This refreshing, empathetic take on the titular outlaw will continue with the hit MGM+ (formerly Epix) series' second season, landing on October 15. Of course, if you didn't mosey up to the first eight episodes, you might be wondering how the series managed to make one of history's most dangerous men someone you wanted to root for. If you're among that camp - or are an existing fan just craving a quick refresher - read on for our full recap of Billy the Kid's first season.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Billy the Kid Season 1.
Billy the Literal Kid
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The series' first season premiere is bookended by scenes of a 17-year-old Billy "dealing" with a bounty hunter in a bar, but the rest of Episode 1 surprisingly focuses on the Kid when he's still, well, a kid. We're introduced to playful, carefree Billy McCarty, the tween son of Irish immigrants struggling to make a life for themselves in 1870s New York City.
The down-on-their-luck family decides to pursue a better future in Coffeyville, Kansas, a risky move, but one Billy embraces with excitement and positivity - the resourceful tyke even has a hand in securing an affordable wagon train for his family. But the trip proves extremely dangerous, and the destination disappoints in its potential to deliver on the American Dream.
Billy's father, suffering from severe depression, soon dies, leaving his mother Kathleen (Eileen O'Higgins) to barely make ends meet for him and his younger brother Joe. The widow makes the difficult decision to move her family to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where a better life hopefully awaits. But the trip brings trouble when their driver attempts to sexually assault the single mother. Billy, who'd earlier learned to use a pistol following an encounter with horse thieves en route to Kansas, fends off the man until they can reach Santa Fe.
Sadly, their new home doesn't bring much good fortune either, as most of the local men seem about as friendly as the one who forced himself on Kathleen. Still, she's able to secure a job at an inn, where Billy also helps out and soon makes friends with a Mexican boy named Carlos. His mom also meets someone, the seemingly kind and wealthy Henry Antrim (Jamie Beamish), whom she decides to marry in her continued effort to bring emotional stability and financial security to her family.
Billy grows up fast
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It's around this time the series skips ahead five years, and we're introduced to the young adult Billy we spend the remaining episodes with. His friendship with Carlos has only strengthened, while his mother's relationship with Antrim has begun to show some cracks. It turns out her husband's a liar, a bigot, and a regular at the local brothel. Billy, understandably, is not his biggest fan, as proven by the beating he unleashes on Antrim when he catches him with a pair of prostitutes.
Henry is the least of his problems, however, as he and Carlos soon run into more serious trouble at a poker game. The latter beats a racist judge, who ruthlessly kills the teen in cold blood because he can't accept ceding victory to a Mexican. Losing his best friend in this brutal way obviously leaves Billy with a deep emotional wound, one that's soon overflowing with salt when he realizes the killer will get away with the murder. As Billy learns from journalist friend Ash Upson (Ryan Kennedy), the judge is part of a powerful, secret ring of corrupt officials who are essentially above the law and run the Old West from behind the scenes.
Frustrated and desperate to find justice for his friend Carlos, Billy begins focusing on sharpening his gun-slinging skills. He's soon able to showcase his prowess behind a pistol when he and his family are on the trail. They're heading to Silver City - so the now-bankrupt Antrim can find work - when a rattlesnake enters their tent. While his cowardly stepdad screams and curses in terror, Billy instinctively draws his gun and blows the reptile's head off without missing a beat.
If it sounds like Billy's already endured enough trauma to fill multiple lifetimes, you'll want to strap in for what's next. Like Santa Fe and Coffeyville before it, Silver City brings more hardship, bad luck, and enough encounters with unsavory characters to nudge anyone toward a life of crime. Billy makes a new friend in burgeoning outlaw Jesse Evans (Daniel Webber), a young man who sees promise in his poker buddy's shooting skills. He asks him to join him on a cattle-rustling run, a job that'll bring a big, albeit illegal, payday with little effort. Billy's reluctant to break the law, but desperately needs money to pay the doctor treating his brother Joe, who's been stricken with consumption.
The cattle theft - which Billy justifies partaking in because the ranch owner is part of the corrupt ring Upson schooled him on - goes off without a hitch. Unfortunately, no amount of money can save poor Joe, who soon succumbs to the disease. If that wasn't bad enough, Billy also finds himself kneeling beside the deathbed of Kathleen, who also falls victim to consumption.
Now an orphan with little money and no roof over his head, Billy hastily does another job with Jesse. This time, the pair rob a Chinese laundry, but the theft doesn't go as smoothly as the cattle-stealing job. Jesse flees after being shot by the laundry's owner, and Billy is arrested. Sentenced to three years - an especially harsh judgment handed down by the ring-connected court - he's sent to prison. But he quickly goes from convict to fugitive, easily escaping and taking off to Texas.
Trouble in Texas
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On the run and desperate to figure out his next move, he meets a fellow outlaw — also headed to the Lone Star State — who recruits him to help steal some horses. Now using the alias William H. Bonney, Billy agrees to the job. This leads to even more horse thievery, which also leads to a local blacksmith recognizing one of the stolen steeds as property of the U.S. Army. The accuser pushes Bonney on the matter, calling him out in front of a crowd of saloon patrons. A scuffle ensues, and the drunken blacksmith is accidentally killed by Billy.
With the man bleeding out on the floor, Billy flees the scene. But his moral compass pulls him back into town, where he attempts to do the right thing and confess to the unintentional murder. He pleads self-defense, but is still convicted. Not wanting to meet the business end of a noose, he makes his second prison escape. He runs into a bit of bad luck though, when he's attacked by a Native American tribe that steals his horse.
Hallucinating and dehydrated, the Kid collapses in the desert. Thankfully, he's rescued before the vultures can make a meal of him, and he later wakes in a strange bed. A mystery girl named Barbara (Christie Burke) not only nurses him back to health, but becomes physically attracted to her patient. The pair share a brief, passionate relationship before Barbara's housemates return home from a job. It turns out she's riding with the Seven Rivers gang, led by none other than her boyfriend and Billy's old buddy Jesse Evans.
But Barbara belongs to no man, so while there's tension among the trio, there's no immediate conflict between the old friends. In fact, Jesse invites Billy to join Seven Rivers. But with a desire to still get on the right side of the law, he decides it's best to move on and start fresh. Plus, on top of the awkward love triangle he finds himself in, he's a wanted man - as evidenced by the ubiquitous posters calling for his capture. So he borrows a horse from Jesse, saddles up, and and sets off for new adventures in Mexico.
Making Friends - and Enemies - in Mexico
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Despite his best efforts to go straight, Billy finds even more trouble in Chihuahua. Soon after his arrival, he's attacked by bandits. But the assault is a blessing in disguise, as he's rescued by Segura (Guillermo Alonso), a man he becomes fast friends with. The two quickly join up and make a killing at a poker game. Unfortunately, they win the money from Don Ortiz, a dangerous man who doesn't like to lose.
The pair celebrate their victory with a night on the town, where they meet a pair of lovely ladies who seem interested in them. Fast forward a bit, and the women not only get Billy and Segura drunk, but they steal all their money. Desperate and broke, the two decide to rob a bank. But still pulled by a desire to do what's right and make an honest living, Billy can't justify stealing from innocent people.
This leads the pair back to Ortiz' poker table, where Billy calls the criminal out for cheating, resulting in another sizable win for Segura. With their pockets full, the two say goodbye and go their separate ways. But while making his way to El Paso, Billy's attacked by Ortiz' men. The skilled gunman is able to defend himself, taking out all assailants before coming face to face with Ortiz himself. The conman begs for his life, but Billy — for the first time — executes with extreme prejudice. The squeeze of his trigger changes everything, setting him on a dark path he'll never fully return from.
A New, Lawless Path Takes Shape
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With his former existence as Billy McCarty completely overshadowed by his new life as William H. Bonney, the rising outlaw arrives in Texas. His first stop is a saloon, where he meets a mysterious man holding one of the Kid's wanted posters. It's Pat Garrett (Alex Roe) - the man who'll ultimately be credited with cutting Billy's life short at the age of 21 - and it seems he's a member of Jesse's Seven Rivers gang.
The chance meeting not only results in a reunion between Billy and Jesse, but also with the former joining the latter's band of outlaws. Before long, they're up to their old ways, stealing cattle and reaping the rewards over bottles of whiskey. But one of the jobs goes south, forcing Billy to kill a cowboy who pulls a gun on him. Despite this violent act and his growing reputation, Billy's not comfortable with his newfound infamy.
But it's no use, as the gang's recent misdeeds have made the newspapers - and the Kid's involvement gets top billing. The press coverage invites the attention of Lawrence P. Murphy, a crooked Lincoln County businessman who wants to hire Seven Rivers to protect his interests. For the first time, Billy fully embraces his lawless reputation, not only accepting the offer but grabbing the leadership reins from Jesse.
At this point in the series, the name "Billy the Kid" is also coined by his friend, fellow gang member - and future sheriff - Pat Garrett. But before Billy can embody this persona working for Murphy, he's called off to Mexico to help his friend Segura. His poker partner has been captured and is apparently taking the fall for Ortiz's murder. Billy sets off to save him from being hanged, breaking him out of jail and killing the prison's guards in the process. Having fulfilled his duty to his friend at the cost of leaving more innocent blood in his wake, Billy heads back to regroup with Jesse and the gang.
A Battle Between Businessmen Brews in Texas
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His return to Texas, however, isn't what he'd hoped for. It seems Murphy, a fellow Irishman, is just another crook connected to the corrupt, controlling rings Billy first learned about from Upson. This comes to light when competition from legitimate businessman, Englishman John Tunstall, pushes Murphy to play dirty. He orders Seven Rivers to intimidate the local farmers who are breaking their contracts with him to work with Tunstall, who pays them better and treats them fairly.
To Billy's shock and horror, these intimidation tactics soon escalate to violence, leading to a Mexican farmer being gunned down by Garrett. While Pat is arrested for the murder, the Kid goes to the farmer's funeral to pay respects to the grieving family. While there, he encounters some of Tunstall's men also in attendance.
The two Tunstall associates attempt to recruit Billy, suggesting he swap sides and fight for what's right. An enlightening meeting with Tunstall's lawyer, as well as the increasingly merciless actions of the Seven Ringers gang, only helps to push the Kid into picking a side. Still, it isn't easy for him to not only abandon his longtime friend Jesse but also essentially become his enemy if he decides to fight for Tunstall.
But his decision becomes much easier to make after he meets the man himself and discovers just how different he is from Murphy. Tunstall isn't just a good chap, but one who promises to help Billy expunge his outlaw record with an impassioned plea to the governor. Add in the fact Jesse and the gangs' latest act of enforcement has left multiple women and children slaughtered, and abandoning Murphy to align with Tunstall becomes a no-brainer for the outlaw still clinging to his moral compass.
Of course, letting Jesse know he's come to this decision is much more complicated - and potentially dangerous. Still, Billy faces the situation head-on, returning to the Seven Rivers camp and informing his friend that he's going to side with the "good guys." Most of the gang accuse him of being a traitor, pull their pistols, and intend to end the conflict before it can start. But Jesse orders them to stand down, respecting Billy's decision to be upfront and honest about switching teams. Jesse quells his men by telling them they'll soon get the chance to face Billy in the coming battle between the two factions.
Speaking of the simmering Lincoln County War (teased in the newly released trailer), Season 2 aims to put us right in the middle of the conflict between Murphy and Tunstall. With the lines now drawn in the sand, we look forward to watching what unfolds between Billy and Jesse as they fight on opposite sides of the escalating range war. But the coming episodes promise more than just old friends squaring off in epic gunfights. The final episodes of Season 1 also introduced a potential love interest for the Kid, one Dulcinea del Tobosco. A powerful woman from a wealthy Mexican family, the beautiful heiress is well aware of Billy's reputation, but still wishes to see him again. The character's due to return, and we can't wait to see where that relationship goes.
And let's not forget that loose narrative thread involving Mr. Pat Garrett. The murderous Seven Rivers member is said to be avoiding prison time by learning to be a lawman - thanks to Murphy's connections with the ring - and we can't help but wonder how and when he'll once again cross paths with Billy and, ultimately, go down in history as the man to finally take down the legendary outlaw. With new episodes hitting like a stampede in just under a week, we cannot wait to dig into all these main plots, side stories, and any other narratively justified excuses to see lawless men ventilated by smoking holes. Head back here every week for full recaps of each episode of Billy the Kid Season 2!
