Bass x Machina Season 1 Review: A Bionic Bass Reeves Origins Story

Netflix’s newest animated series, Bass x Machina Season 1, introduces viewers to a bionic version of a real-life historical figure, Bass Reeves. 

The series is set in the post-Civil War United States. That means we meet Bass after he fought in the Civil War, as he collects bounties to support his family.

But Bass x Machina isn’t just an animated account of Bass Reeves’ life. It is a steampunk-inspired fusion of the western and sci-fi genres.

The sci-fi element is introduced quickly during the opening sequence, when Bass reveals he came back from the war with more than just emotional trauma.

While trying to capture a fugitive, Bass whips out his bionic metal arm to take them down.  

The tech that powers Bass’s arm is central to the plot. It’s not just cool world-building or stylistic flair. Many details about how that plays into the plot, however, are too spoiler-heavy to get into much here.

What can be said is that while that part of the plot is probably one of the less interesting parts – at least thematically- it does create a great playground for expansive world-building, especially if there are additional seasons. 

It is also a solid vehicle for driving the much more compelling character arcs forward. 

Overall, the series takes a bit to get going. The first few episodes aren’t bad, just a bit one-note. We can chalk a lot of that up to the necessary initial world-building and character introductions.

Still, it does take a minute to feel invested in both the characters and the story. Long enough that more casual viewers may bail if they aren’t told to stick with it. 

And it would be a shame if they did, because once the series starts dropping its twists and big reveals, it gets good. 

While much of the show’s strength is its world-building, it’s actually the show’s secondary characters that are the biggest highlight.

Bass is a perfectly adequate protagonist, probably better than most. However, he is nowhere near as compelling as some of the supporting characters. 

Bass is a standard arc type and a serviceable lead that can carry the show. Nothing makes him more than what you expect, though, which, again, is fine, just not that memorable. 

The same can’t be said about Bass x Machina’s supporting characters, particularly its women. Like the show’s tech element, it’s hard to talk about what makes them so compelling without giving away major spoilers.

However, it is important to know going in that, like the rest of the show, it takes a bit for those characters to come to life fully.

Initially, Dana and Ahni, who become the series’s most complex characters, start off very much like Bass. They feel like standard tropes. Fine, if a little flat. 

But around episode 3, as the backstories start to reveal themselves and the twists start dropping, Dana and Ahni come into their own with a new nuance and depth. They become what elevates the series from “this is fine” to “this is good.”

Another fantastic character is Etta. Unlike Dana and Ahni, Etta is a spark for the show that shines as soon as she is introduced. She is the most endearing character of the series, bringing much-needed levity and spirit to the show. She is sure to be a fan favorite.

It’s no coincidence that the show starts to pick up around the time viewers meet her.

It’s also worth noting that part of what makes these characters stand out is the cast’s voice work. Overall, the voice acting is another strength of the series across the board.

However, the actors who play the three characters discussed above highlight how much life a voice actor can bring to a show that isn’t necessarily in the script.

Cree Summer is of course fantastic as always, and frankly, for people of a certain age, she’s a huge part of our childhood. So having her on any show is a treat. But Tati Gabrielle, who plays Dana, deserves special recognition, too. 

Dana is a character that could easily come off as a cliché. Gabrielle, however, brings a vulnerability to Dana that makes so many of her scenes resonate with a unique poignancy not present elsewhere in the show.

The series animation is also solid, if pretty straightforward. It doesn’t have the breathtaking beauty of something like Blue Eye Samurai, but that’s a pretty high bar.

Similarly, the action sequences don’t quite reach the heights of the two Castlevania series, but they are still quite cool and always exciting.

One of the coolest parts about the show, in terms of animation, is actually its opening credits and music. That may seem small, but it does an excellent job of setting the tone at the start of each episode and grabbing viewers’ attention.

Overall, Bass x Machina starts a little underwhelming in terms of story and character. The style and tone are cool from the get-go, but that’s not enough to make the first few episodes stand out from the crowd of animated shows on Netflix.

However, viewers who stick with it are rewarded. Not only with a more-than-satisfying first season, but also with a show that has plenty of potential for additional world-building, themes to explore, and character development in future seasons. 

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What did you think of this season of Bass x Machina? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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Bass x Machina premieres November 3 on Netflix.

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