Review: "Reservation Dogs"

 By Pat Greene

Writer and director Sterlin Harjo's work always gives the viewer a frank and true look inside Native American culture, refusing to play into the stereotypes that continue to plague mass media.

Here, you will see these caricatures and those who idealize them ridiculed. Harjo humanizes his people and their culture in ways we haven't seen before. Throughout the three seasons of “Reservation Dogs", he shows us how a community's history repeats itself each generation, in cycles. Trauma and pain can be inherited. Each generation's trauma is informed by the prior generation's, and in turn that trauma informs the next. But through this story, Harjo shows us that healing can be found in that same traumatized community- in shared culture, in elders, in peers, in children.  

“Reservation Dogs" tells us a story about a group of four young Muscogee teens living on a Native American reservation in fictional Okern, Okla. When we meet them- Elora Danan, Bear, Willy Jack and Cheese- it has been one year since the suicide of 15-year-old Daniel, the center of their group. Daniel's death has cast a long shadow over their homes, their families, and the group itself.

Season One

As they go about their daily lives throughout the first season, we learn more about each teen. Bear is raised by a devoted but overworked single mother, who has prioritized her search for a romantic partner. Willie Jack, who is Daniel's cousin, often speaks to his picture in an attempt to connect with him. Her parents are also still grieving Daniel’s death deeply, and avoid discussing him. Elora Danan, whose mother Cookie died when Elora was a child, lives with her maternal grandmother; their relationship is rocky. Cheese, whose biological family is absent from the show, lives with his ‘cousin-uncle' Charley.  

The first season centers around a plan the group has made to run away to California together, a trip they plan to fund by committing petty crimes on the reservation. They almost have enough money to leave- and now that the goal is close, it becomes real to them. Elora is the most determined. She believes that Daniel died a preventable death of despair, brought on by the hopelessness of reservation life. She resolves to get out before that same fate befalls her, and the others claim to be serious about leaving as well. A rival group of teens, new to the reservation and lead by a girl named Jackie, bring conflict in the neighborhood. The two groups begin menacing one another.

As the season unfolds, the four navigate life on the reservation while Elora becomes more and more disillusioned with Bear because she feels that he is not dedicated to their plan. He spends part of the group's savings on a hand-beaded medallion to gift his absent father, infuriating Elora. The two argue and the group begins to splinter.  

Finale

As the season finale “Satvrday” begins, the group makes final preparations to leave- today is the day. Willie Jack confesses that she is not going, and contributes her cut of the saved money. They are delayed by a tornado warning. The community is forced together in an underground shelter, and some take the opportunity to clear up old grievances and plan for their futures.

The weather outside however, chaotic and frenzied, mirrors the conflict of the main group. Cheese admits that he is not going to California either. Elora begins talking to Jackie, and the two pair off to discuss the possibility of leaving for California together. Elora and Bear argue again, cutting each other deeply with hurtful words.

During the argument we learn that the real issue at hand is Daniel. Bear remembers him alive, wanting to talk about him. He says that Elora only thinks about his death. The two move to different spots in the shelter. Elora silently resolves to leave Bear behind.

The tornado passes, and the community emerges from the shelter to assess the damage. The season ends with Elora, having stolen her grandmother’s car, picking up Jackie. As Bear waits for Elora to pick him up, the two girls leave for California without him. Bear waits alone on the curb, realizing he has been ditched, and the season closes. 

Angst and Rebellion

In the first season’s opening scenes, Harjo fools us into believing that we are watching a story solely about unruly youths and teenage rebellion. While this is a story about angst and rebellion- there is more. Harjo invites the viewer to experience the same journey as Bear, Elora Danan, Willy Jack and Cheese.

We learn as they learn. Are you grieving a loss? Do you feel like you don’t belong? Are you afraid? The answer to your problems may lie in community, spirituality and family. The people we should to turn to are the ones that have shown us, through action, that they are family.