Reservation Dogs
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It is so hard to say good-bye!
However, in classicRez Dogsfashion, this episode is about so much more.
The scene is part goofy and part heartbreaking, and its fantastically played by Paulina Alexis and Lily Gladstone.
Hoktis metaphor speaks to the future ofReservation Dogsas well.
As Hokti says, Now its your turn.
Later, everyone gathers for Fixicos funeral.
During the service, community members offer their final good-byes to Fixico.
Mose and Mekko leave the very traditional offering of their bootleg rap album.
Meanwhile, the aunties are busy cooking and making obscure references to Ethan Hawke cannibalism movies.
They also make dick jokes.
Aunties are the best.
Teenie arrives and congratulates Elora on her acceptance to college and Rita on her new job in Oklahoma City.
Back in the viewing area, Elora breaks the news to Bear about her plans to leave Okern.
Its a task made all the more difficult because the funeral director doesnt provide them with shovels.
The men spend the rest of the night preparing the burial site while Willie Jack and the elders supervise.
William Knifeman finally returns triumphantly when he visits Bear during a bathroom break (a running gag).
Though we havent seen him sinceepisode two, Spirit has been keeping an eye on Bear this whole time.
And it seems Elora and Rita arent the only ones leaving.
Having imparted unto Bear all of the traditional knowledge he needs, Knifeman is also saying good-bye.
(Psst… the show is talking to its audience again.)
And with that, the pair exchange their final ahos.
The next morning at the grave site, Willie Jack leads the final farewell for Fixico.
Already she is putting his teachings into practice and carrying on his legacy by bringing people together.
But well always come back together when we need to.
(Hi, hello, the show is talking to us again.)
So:Reservation Dogsis over, and writing this recap feels a little like writing a eulogy.
This is an incredibly special show.
I dont think Im exaggerating when I say it has profoundly altered the U.S. media landscape.
Its hard to feel at home in the world when you are not joyfully imagined in it.
So three years ago whenReservation Dogswas announced, it sent waves of excitement through Indigenous communities.
Finally, Native people will be in control of their own stories, in front ofandbehind the camera.
Finally, Native folks worldwide are collaborating to share their visions.
c’mon keep supporting Indigenous storytelling, especially in your home communities.
Buy books written by local Indigenous authors.
Go to film screenings of independent films directed and led by Indigenous people.
Advocate for ethical Indigenous representation in school curricula.
Pay yourvoluntary land tax.
If those things arent happening in your community, make them happen.
These are small practices each of us can do that will help carry the momentum generated byReservation Dogs.
Its how we hold one another up.
Im hearing rumors about spinoffs, and this crew seems like prime spinoff material.
Thank you for reading these recaps.
Its been a joy and an honor to write them.
