Saagar Kote
Set in an alternate, steampunk version of the American West in 1874, Netflix’s ‘Bass x Machina’ follows Bass Reeves, a Black man working as an official bounty hunter. A devoted father and a former Union soldier during the Civil War, Bass is forced to be tough in a lawless frontier plagued by ruthless outlaws, dangerous machines, and supernatural threats. Each decision he makes to protect his family carries the risk of losing the very people he is fighting for. Bass’s latest assignment is to track down Eugene Starr, a brilliant scientist who has mysteriously disappeared.
Eugene’s absence leaves his niece Dana Starr, a spirited young White girl with dreams of becoming an engineer, alone. As Bass investigates, he crosses paths with Dana, and their lives become intertwined. Both are driven to uncover the truth about Eugene, while navigating the dangers of the West and their own uncertain futures. Their unlikely partnership helps them discover what they truly want from life, even as Bass struggles to advance his career and keep his family safe. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Bass x Machina Plot Synopsis
Bass Reeves is one of the few Black men in 1874 America who works as an official bounty hunter. His world has both advanced technology and the charms of the Old West. In Bass’ world, violence seems to be the norm, especially in the aftermath of the Civil War. His only reason to live is his pregnant wife Glory and his two young sons. Bass was also a soldier during the Civil War, which cost him his right arm. He now wears a specially designed arm, made of Aianhli, an almost magical metal that has properties beyond normal human imagination. He uses this “God Arm” to hunt down his targets, claim his rewards, and safeguard the interests of his family. Dana Starr is a spirited young White girl and an aspiring engineer who works at a hardware shop that used to belong to her uncle Eugene Starr.
Eugene is an extremely skilled scientist who has inexplicably gone missing, leaving Dana to fend for herself. After a particularly nasty bounty hunt, Bass is awarded an extremely unsatisfactory cash reward by the army. But his fortunes soon change when a superior official gives Bass a chance to earn more. Bass is tasked with finding and bringing back Eugene Starr safely. It is revealed that Eugene has been kidnapped by the members of the Choctaw Tribe. Eugene is a high-value hostage, as his inventive skills could be targeted by Confederate loyalists to build dangerous weapons and start another Civil War. Bass and Dana’s paths cross when the former starts investigating Eugene’s whereabouts. Bass reluctantly teams up with Dana, as she says she will use her technological skills to find her uncle.
Their search takes them to Lighthorse, a Choctaw Chief, who says that Eugene had been taken by Bully Shaw. Lighthorse does this to misdirect Bass and Dana and gain some time to execute his own plans. It is revealed that Lighthorse is working with a dangerous man named Rivenbark, a Confederate loyalist. The two of them have Eugene in custody and plan to unveil a superweapon that could change the world forever. Rivenbark is also the one who destroyed Bass’ right arm during the war. Lighthorse, who shares a decent friendship with Bass, had his own reasons to side with Rivenbark.
Bass and Dana cross paths with Etta, an aging Native American woman with advanced technical knowledge and inventory skills. It is revealed that Dana is actually a biracial girl who had a Black father and a White mother. She hides her hair to conceal her Black features and passes as White, taking an emotional toll on her. Things reach a decisive point when Rivenbark unveils the Colossus, a mega weapon that can destroy Central City.
Bass x Machina Ending: Do Bass Reeves and Dana Save Central City? Does Bass Survive?
Bass Reeves and Dana finally realize they must work together to overcome Rivenbark and the Colossus. This task proves more difficult than either of them imagined. Rivenbark seeks to avenge the loss of his family during the Civil War, and hopes to destroy the world. The Colossus is a brutal, city-sized Aianhli core-powered superweapon that can level an entire town and also defend itself against ordinary weapons. Rivenbark, who is now opposed by both Lighthorse and Bass, realizes that he has a tough fight ahead of him. Using his Aianhli inventions, Rivenbark charges Lighthorse and his team of elemental warriors, which also includes Ahni. Though Rivenbark gains the upper hand initially, he is stopped by Lighthorse and Bass.
For a moment, it seems like everything is handled. But a shocking moment unfolds, as Lighthorse takes control of the Colossus and reveals his intention to destroy Central City and start a new empire by killing all the White people in his path. Lighthorse, being a member of the Choctaw Tribe, wants to avenge the brutalities he and his people suffered at the hands of White invaders. Though Bass tries to convince Lighthorse to rethink his decision, the latter remains steadfast in his will to give rise to a new social order. Bass returns to the upper levels to take on Lighthorse, while Dana descends to the engine room, hoping to bring the Colossus to a halt by disabling the Aianhli core. Etta and Eugene arrive in time to assist Dana in her mission.
One of the most important parts of the puzzle is Ahni’s identity. She is actually the daughter of Bass and Nanye, Bass’ first wife and a Choctaw woman. Ahni teamed up with Lighthorse owing to her Choctaw loyalty after her mother’s death. Bass and Lighthorse’s fight takes a turn when Ahni changes her mind about siding with Lighthorse. She has always been hesitant to take innocent lives, and reaches a breaking point when she sees that Lighthorse is willing to sacrifice members of his own tribe to achieve his goals. Ahni incapacitates the other elemental fighters and teams up with Bass to end Lighthorse’s plan. Working together, Dana, Eugene, and Etta finally succeed in finding the Aianhli core of the Colossus.
Etta explains that Bass’ new Aianhli arm is the key to stopping the Colossus. It can absorb energy, but he must make direct contact with the core to release the stored charge and shut it down. However, the attempt could cost him his life. Bass prepares to sacrifice his own life for the sake of Central City and reaches the core and presses his arm against it. For a moment, nothing seems to happen, but the charge suddenly disperses, bringing the Colossus to a halt and saving the city. Though it seems like he died in the process, Bass emerges alive from the debris left by the collapsed Colossus.
Does Bass Become a US Marshal? What Happens to Lighthorse and Rivenbark?
After saving Central City, Bass earns the town’s respect, overcoming racial barriers. The White people still look at him with doubt, but realize the importance of his actions and his willingness to sacrifice his own life to save the country from a more violent war. Had Lighthorse succeeded, a second Civil War would have been inevitable and might have led to even more death and destruction. The army arrests Rivenbark for his extreme war crimes during the Civil War, including genocidal actions against non-White races. As for Lighthorse’s future, Bass takes a different route. Bass realizes that Lighthorse, despite his recent warmongering, was a good man in the past. Circumstances force Lighthorse to launch the Colossus against Central City.
To ensure true justice, Bass hands over Lighthorse to his own people, the Choctaw Tribe. Bass does so because he thinks this is a higher form of justice than the one that White people could hand out to Lighthorse. Bass was promised by the army that he would be made a Marshal if he saved Eugene. Since Bass has done more than just save Eugene, he expects to be promoted instantly. However, the White army officials hesitate to make Bass a Marshal, owing to his race. However, since the Colossus has already taken the lives of several Marshals, the army faces a shortage of men to fill these ranks. Ultimately, Bass is made the first Black Marshal and is given the power to act according to his own judgment.
Do Dana and Eugene Get Their Hardware Shop Back? Does Dana Embrace Her Biracial Identity?
Dana, with Bass’ help, manages to save her uncle, Eugene, and they have an emotional reunion. Returning to their town, Dana and Eugene get their hardware shop back from the man who had illegally claimed it. After her parents’ death, Dana struggles to come to terms with her racial identity. Since her father was Black and her mother was White, Dana doesn’t truly know who she is. She hides her hair to pass as White, and manages to convince the outside world that she is indeed White. But her journey with Bass teaches her that racial identity is complex.
She understands that she must embrace every bit of herself to truly achieve a sense of belonging and liberation. During the mission to save Central City, Dana finally throws her hat away, revealing her full hair. Dana is also convinced by Etta, who tells her that she should recognize that she is both White and Black, despite how difficult it is to find a balance between the two. Dana’s acceptance of her own identity is one of the most crucial parts of her character arc.
What Happens to Ahni? Does She Accept Bass and His Family?
Ahni’s growing understanding of the truth behind Lighthorse’s plans to level Central City ultimately brings her to Bass’ side. Days after the Colossus is stopped and life returns to normal, she visits Bass at his home and tells him that she accepts him as her father, though she still struggles to understand why he continues serving the White men and the US Army. Bass believes he can create change from within the system, but Ahni remains unconvinced. Even so, she wants to spend more time getting to know him. Their conversation is interrupted when Bass is called away on duty as Marshal. Ahni prepares to leave, but Glory and the children persuade her to stay for dinner. By choosing to reconnect with Bass and remain with his family, Ahni begins to embrace the different parts of her heritage as a woman of both Choctaw and Black ancestry.
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