The third and final season of Reservation Dogs will leave behind a legacy certain to be discussed for years to come
“We’re just echoes of things that came before.” Graham Greene as Maximus
So what can I say about the third, and yes, the final season of Reservation Dogs?
As a Native American journalist and certified Rotten Tomatoes critic, as well as a man that is 56 years old, I admittedly never thought I would have seen so many Native American-themed shows on television. This thought is compounded by my own experiences, considering what I grew up watching on television and at the movies at the 99-cent cinema just off Compton Blvd in California.
What was my experience with Native American cinema and television in the 70s? Folks, aside from horrendous stereotypes and the crying Indian Iron Eyes Cody, my Native influences were only Clint Eastwood, (and forgive me, Creator,) John Wayne westerns.
The reason I am venturing into this side of my own personal story at the beginning of this review is that these are the thoughts that came up for me after watching the first four episodes.
They were funny, disturbing, thoughtful and agonizing.
Sometimes reality hits a little too hard.
I understand Sterlin Harjo wants to end the series after this season, but I think he might be ending it about at least one season too soon. But that is his creative call. I think of the British TV series “The Young Ones,” which ended at the height of its popularity. It was a choice by the creators to end at that point, but the series, based on the hilarious interactions of punk-rock kids, ended itself much to the aching pleas to continue by their massive audiences.
But it is what it is. Congratulations, everyone, you made it in Hollywood.
Reservation Dogs, Season Three: description from FX Networks
In the third and final season, the Rez Dogs find themselves stranded in Cali and have to figure out their way back home. After making it back to Okern, Elora considers the idea of college, Bear comes across a conspiracy theorist named “Maximus” (Graham Greene), Willie Jack grows more invested in healing her community and Cheese, well, he still lives with his grandmother who’s not his grandmother.
Meanwhile, the aunties, uncles and elders explore their pasts and try to heal old wounds. We learn more about tribal cop “Big” (Zahn McClarnon); cannabis-loving “Brownie” (Gary Farmer); physics-obsessed “Bucky” (Wes Studi); the enigmatic “Deer Lady” (Kaniehtiio Horn); Bear’s mom “Rita” (Sarah Podemski) and her cousin “Teenie” (Tamara Podemski); Willie Jack’s dad “Leon” (Jon Proudstar); Daniel’s mom “Hokti” (Lily Gladstone); medicine man “Old Man Fixico” (Richard Ray Whitman); junkyard prophet “Kenny Boy” (Kirk Fox); gum-smacking “Bev” (Jana Schmieding); and ride-less rap duo “Mose” (Lil Mike) and “Mekko” (FunnyBone).
Season three is full of road trips, bathroom wisdom, unexpected fathers, boarding schools, Bigfoot, rumors, revenge and healing.
My review: Rotten Tomatoes Score 9.2/10
It’s a fickle thing how I review shows and films. There are several things that go into my mind when giving a score, based on points to anyone. There is a lot to think about. How many countless hours must a writer, a director, or an actor put into something before I throw a number at it? It’s not easy.
I want everyone to be proud of what they have done, and yes, I do want to give a gold star to everyone involved.
So here we are at season three, and yes, the show deserves an A. There are a few things I think about quite a bit and feel concerned regarding, and overall, I appreciate that Native kids are teaching the world a lot about Native people. I say kids because I am 56.
I struggle when I see Native teens stealing, people in the Native community struggling with addiction, or not being there for their kids. Yes, that type of thing exists, and I can’t help but wonder what type of impression the television world might now have regarding Native people. Is it a good impression?
So what’s the solution, don’t talk about it at all? I don’t think so.
I just needed to say it moving forward.
Overall, I genuinely care about the welfare of every single character in this show. I feel their long and complicated backstories that follow them to today, like the ever-present Daniel that is no longer with us, at least not on this plane of existence.
But don’t confuse all of my love for agreement as for all of their actions in life.
Man, does this show make me think a lot.
Reservation Dogs has been a big middle finger to the long-standing film world’s definition of the Indian
After saying all of the above, I also have to say I might understand Sterlin Harjo’s point. For so long, the definition of a Native American has been that image of Iron Eyes Cody, who, standing in front of piles of garbage next to a river, turns to the camera and cries. (So does Dallas Goldtooth in a hilarious comic moment, but for a different reason. Well-played Rez Dogs crew, well-played.)
The world has long since learned that Cody was Italian, but the definition was no less a daunting one for Native people to tackle.
So Dallas Goldtooth, who portrays the f-bomb-laden ancestral spirit William Knifeman, constantly tackles the B.S. narrative that has plagued the definition of Native people for so long, and everything he does, makes a lot of sense.
Harjo has continued to say to his audience, “You think you know about Native people? Well, watch this episode.” As he told IndieWire, “I don’t want to show us as victims. I want to show rage that I think has been put inside of a Native person who knows their history.”
To Native people, there are a lot of hidden messages. I’ll call them Indigenous Easter Eggs, which continue to give me a private smile. I know many of my friends and family get the hidden jokes too.
The first four episodes of Season 3
As a critic, I received the first four episodes for review. The first episode, “Bussin,” was a sincere and funny approach to venturing out into the world as a young person, and I found the evolution of relationships between Elora, Bear, Willie Jack and Cheese to be one of the most sincere episodes in the entirety of the series, throw in a funny white Jesus who lives in a homeless encampment and you have all of the makings of a worthy addition to the Reservation Dogs palette.
As the viewer heads into the second episode, “Maximus,” featuring Graham Greene, the world of Reservation Dogs to me hit perhaps its most serious note, even though the episode was filled with humor. I liken the episode to life’s moments of completely random chances, as if we run into a random person at a bus stop, who for all intents and purposes, appears to be less than sane, but leaves you with a bit of brilliant advice that you carry with you for the rest of your days.
The episode was short, and the interactions between Maximus and Bear were short-lived, but the interactions, as short as they were, were incredibly genuine, and perhaps the most heartfelt and warm performances for both of them. As a Native man, this episode was so much more about the episode. Here were two Native actors, one young and at the beginning of their career, alongside Graham Greene, who has been all over the world for over a generation.
Yes, Maximus, the two of you were and are, kindred spirits.
In addition to Greene’s guest performance, was Dallas Goldtooth, who in my view, hit a level of sincerity as well. Yes, his character is supposed to be a middle finger toward every Native stereotype, constantly battling against the “beautiful Native American spirits” that have defined us for way too long. In this episode, Goldtooth shows a vulnerable side that I truly noticed and hope to continue to see.
The third episode, “Deer Lady” with Kaniehtiio Horn as Deer Lady, was stellar. Horn is masterful on screen, and her interactions with Bear were genuine as well as mildly frightening. The portrayal of Indian Residential School was something I have never seen before on a television sitcom. I’m going to take a moment to bask in that sentence. Never seen before.
My heart ached with the reality. My grandmother attended a Residential School as well as other members of my family. I have been writing a book on this subject with intense research over the past two years, the agony of this truth simply doesn’t go away with the next generation.
Hats off to everyone, Reservations Dogs’ third episode was magical with the agonizing story it tells. This episode is a 10 out of 10. Horn’s performance was truly exceptional.
The fourth episode is a return to the Rez, with all of the series regulars and I truly enjoyed the feeling of returning home with some of the characters. I truly enjoyed the trajectory of Cheese and his unveiling of his gender identity as well as a new adornment I have a true connection to. I won’t reveal the spoiler, but you will understand when you see the episode. Go Cheese! #NativeNerd power!
Also the interactions between Bev (Jana Schmieding) and Big (Zahn McClarnon) was hilarious, make sure you watch the credits.
All said, I can understand the popularity of this show. If I had to say one thing, it would be that this show makes you think. I have literally discussed the show at length with friends and family, who have given me a lot of food for thought. My Native sister from another mother even discussed the second episode with me for so long, I had to go back and watch it. (Nia:wen Marie!)
The third and final season of Reservation Dogs will leave behind a legacy certain to be discussed for years to come.
I’m looking forward to more episodes.
P.S. Hey, FX Networks, give Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone their own show.
More about Reservation Dogs via FX Networks
From Co-Creators and Executive Producers Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, FX’s Reservation Dogs is a half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of “Elora Danan” (Devery Jacobs), “Bear Smallhill” (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), “Willie Jack” (Paulina Alexis) and “Cheese” (Lane Factor), four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma.
After the death of “Daniel,” the fifth member of the Reservation Dogs, the crew took to stealing, scheming and saving in order to fulfill his dream of getting to California. The plan took a detour when the gang disbanded, leaving everyone to forge their own paths. Elora took off with the Rez Dogs’ mortal enemy, “Jackie” (Elva Guerra), Bear received ancient wisdom from “Spirit” (Dallas Goldtooth) in the most sacred of porta potties, Willie Jack discovered her ancestry in a prison visiting room and Cheese spent time in a boys’ home, while never forgetting his pronouns. Realizing they were stronger together, the Rez Dogs reunited and made it to Cali, where, with feet in the sand and waves crashing in front of them, they said goodbye to Daniel.
Reservation Dogs is co-created by Sterlin Harjo (Love and Fury, Four Sheets to the Wind) and Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi (Our Flag Means Death, What We Do in the Shadows) and executive produced by Harjo, Waititi and Garrett Basch (What We Do in the Shadows, The Night Of). Reservation Dogs is produced by FX Productions.
Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the founder and editor of Native Viewpoint. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Native journalist and former member of the White House Press Pool, Vincent works to uplift underrepresented voices in the world of media and beyond. Follow Vincent on YouTube.com/VinceSchilling, on Twitter at @VinceSchilling or on any other of his social media accounts by clicking on any of the icons below.
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