The director? Writer? Producer? Unsure, but giant thanks to the leader for the magnificent, and unusual, show. My background is watching a number of new age fruits appropriate bits and pieces of indigenous culture, and claim it.
A portion of my family is hearty pioneer stock from Oklahoma, and as such, I might be able to claim some indigenous bloodline, but I find that circumspect data at best. Being from a long line of raconteurs, on both sides, truth mixed with family lore, often lacking in verified claims, tends to be highly subjective.
But that subjective nature of reality is what made the show so immensely enjoyable.
We meandered through the first half-dozen episodes, looks like they were shot in — guessing — Eastern Oklahoma, and the pace was a bit slow for a sitcom. However, there were loving touches added, and some flashbacks.
Reservation Dogs
By the 7th or 8th episode, there was a supernatural twist that just resonated with me. The Scorpio humor, trenchant wit, sardonic aside? Wasn’t just good, but added the necessary touch of magical realism. To me, the light yet deft hand suggested more realism than magic. The supernatural appears real.
Because I floated back and forth across the Southwest for years, part of the indigenous cultures are part of my own mythology. I don’t claim actual lineage. I do appreciate the stories, the Coyote stands out as an example.
It’s that pleasant blend of social commentary and satire, I would suppose, and an honest attempt to change the way something like native culture is portrayed in media. From my own experience, the show is a lot more accurate than any sanitized Hollywood version.
It was a book, from some years back, changed my attitudes. Made me more aware of the connection between the land, spirit, and natives, of whatever background. Formative, just to suggest.
Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs is wondrous, but then, this is our world where magic exists every day?
I wonder how much is fiction and how much is real.
