Reservation Dogs

Native here, raised on the rez. I won't say this is 100% accurate because it's obviously a caricature in some ways, but they get so much right, especially the slang. I found it hilarious that the old warrior character truly represents Native humor in a way I've never really seen before in pop culture, just really fast, double barreled, and then suddenly drab. The sets are very close to real life. I watched these first two episodes thinking "I've been there," or "I've done that." Probably the best glimpse into rez life since Smoke Signals which is a huge tip of the cap.

Just wrapped up season 3, which does a lot of things well, but this most recent batch delivered one the best anti-ageist portrayals I've come across.

Behind the young-but-wise Willy Jack, a community is built that reaches past the graveyard, through prison bars, and even extends to us white devils.

That said there is still plenty of comedic relief (when I die, I hope my "spirit" can deliver some modicum of that). The clear love between the four quirky, strong, memorable young leads is just tremendous. That alone has been there from the very start and like such friendships in real life is built to endure. Brought a tear to my eye repeatedly, even when having me laughing out loud a few minutes later.

Plenty of other topics and time-shifting were expertly woven in as well. Thank you...

No spoilers, do yourself a favor and enjoy all three seasons. Watch 'em with Daniel's spirit by your side.

• Just a few episodes in and I already know this will be one of the best series this year. It's hilarious and deliciously original. -

My family is from Eastern Oklahoma (Choctaw Nation) and save for the lack of Okie accents, this series is so spot on. I can't recall any media that frames the Indian experience with such raw humor (impeccably delivered by this young crew, btw). Most depictions of Native American life is either pure tragedy and destitution, or an elevation of the "noble savage" trope. To be clear, the driving circumstances here are the very real challenges of poverty and crime that plagues rural Indian communities. But the comedic approach in this series puts these kids in the mainstream and makes their lives widely relatable. Native kids really are just like all other American kids from marginalized, minority backgrounds - with the same attitudes, hustles and pop culture references. In a lot of ways this show is unique to the Indian experience, but it could easily be translated to a black inner city, or an immigrant setting. Basically, anyone and everyone can and should enjoy this show.

Also, side note for anyone unfamiliar with Native American territories - there aren't actually any reservations in Oklahoma. Reservations are sovereign territory with tribal jurisdiction - ie. The Wind River Reservation near where I grew up in Wyoming. However, when OK was made a state, the feds dissolved the tribal governments to make way for the land runs by white settlers. Today, there's this whole complicated governance structure within nations where only tribe members are subject to tribal law, but the state retains most authority.

I know, this isn't all that pertinent to this TV show, but I just wanted to point it out since it's explicitly tying Oklahoma to reservations which is misleading. I absolutely love the reference to Reservoir Dogs, and its totally relevant to the storyline. But considering how little most Americans know about Indian affairs, I hope they find a way to clarify this distinction in future episodes.

With a wild Taika-tinged swagger, Reservation Dogs arrived as a fully formed concept - giving audiences a sharp caricature of contemporary native culture with buckets of wit, personality and sincerity. The whole ensemble here are remarkable, and it feels tremendously fresh. In its breathless efforts to make up for centuries of little to no representation, Rez Dogs bursts right out the gate and pushes down character tangents which other shows would've only felt confident doing whole seasons in. This isn't 'other shows' though and the characters are easily strong enough to make the otherwise alienating diversions work. Over the course of these three short seasons I wept deeply, I laughed hugely and I learned absolute buckets. The cultural impact of it is already fairly apparently but here's hoping the shadow of Rez Dogs ends up long.

I've only seen two episodes but I am hooked on the story. I like the pace of character development that has already occurred. Looking forward to seeing more.