Reservation Dogs

• 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.

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.

First off - I am an old white lady who bypassed this for a while until I saw a trailer and was intrigued. I cannot believe this isn't sitting along "Resident Alien" and "Better Call Saul" it is so well done and so beautifully off center. It also has several of my favorite native actors in it - both young and old(er).

The humor, at times, is so subtle, that you have to really watch what's happening. Also you have to see the quiet things in the background too. After a while, you will want to sit and just watch it - and see what this group is up to next.

It is not always funny. It's like everyone's day - mixed with different happenings and different feelings and emotions. The more I got to know the kids and the families and the characters in the town, the more at home I felt.

Am anxious for the next season!! THANK YOU FX for this incredible series!!

PS -Zahn McClarnon (Big) is absolutely brilliant in his subtle comedic timing. It's worth watching just to see him. And then there is SO MUCH MORE!!

This is one of VERY few shows out there that represents a community that has long been overlooked or stereotyped by the entertainment industry and it's not in an artificial, forced way. Why ? Because the creators and majority of the writers on this show are of Native American / Indigenous backgrounds. As a result the storytelling feels natural, it comes across in an authentic way, and it's not preachy in the "please don't cancel us" way that a lot of recent "representation matters" shows are guilty of.

That being said, I very much enjoyed the first season of this show. It's a coming of age story about 4 teenagers living on a Native American reservation in Oklahoma. We not only watch them experience the typical angst and dilemmas that come with adolescence, but we also see them discover their roots and find their respective places within their community. The teens are not of the cookie cutter variation, they commit petty crimes and grand theft auto (if the stealing of the truck in the first episode can count as that) for the sake of making enough money to go and live out a California dream, that their late friend had thought of. A simple storyline, but it's told in a very engaging way that not only serves as representation for the Native American/ Indigenous communities but also reminds viewers of all backgrounds that regardless of skin tone, religion, or ethnic backgrounds - we're all humans experiencing the same issues. The only thing that differs is our settings.

Take for example the episode where we are introduced to Bear's estranged relationship with his father. This is a dynamic that can, unfortunately, be found in any household of people from any background. The story is told in a very thoughtful and natural way as well so that anyone watching who has gone through something similar can relate to it. The show also tackles issues that are exclusive to the Native/Indigenous experience as well and it does so in a comedic but still serious manner. An example of that being the episode where Bear's mother meets a man at a local bar and goes home with him only to find out his attraction to Native women is not as innocent as it initially seemed. This is something that does happen within the Native/Indigenous community, unfortunately, and it's why there is a high number of Native/Indigenous women missing.

But, again, the shows takes on these subjects in a way that is not forceful or patronizing, it's all integrated into the story so that the message comes across naturally and not preachy. This is also seen in how the adult characters like the local reservation sheriff Big, Uncle Smoke, and Leon teach the kids about their Native/Indigenous roots without having to be cheesy about it; in a "Full House" moral of the day kind of way. When the adults pass on advice or cultural lessons to the teenagers, it's done so in a natural way and that goes back to good writing. Most importantly that it's being written by people who have actually experienced what they're writing about.

The acting is great, the characters are all memorable, however some of the jokes can be hit or miss. This is why I rated it at a 8/10, there were times where the jokes fell flat but considering how good the rest of the show is, this is something that can be overlooked.

I look forward to season 2 and hope the excellent writing keeps up. This is a great example of representation done right ! Thank you Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi !

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.