Reservation Dogs (Season 1)

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Tim)

This is a quirky little show that stars an indigenous cast living in rural Oklahoma. We are focused on a group of 4 scrappy teens struggling to adjust after the death of their friend, and trying to get enough money to leave their small town and head to California. The premise sounds dark, but this show is incredibly light and charming.

The main talking point here is the inclusivity of this show, and it probably doesn't mean a ton coming from me but it is very cool to see a show set in a place like this written by and starring all people who are indigenous actors. I can't speak to what it might mean for indigenous viewers, but I found it truly unique and fresh.

The show I would compare this most to is Atlanta. The vibes are very similar, especially with the viewpoint of an underrepresented group. More than that, this show is just totally unexpected. I have no idea what will happen every episode, and it randomly throws in flashbacks, dreams, and a wide array of distinct characters. It tackles some difficult topics in unexplored ways, and again, this is where the underrepresented viewpoint plays a big role. It takes this world that seems foreign and bizarre and amplifies those qualities.

I found it charming and funny, and it brought me to tears a couple times. I do think it starts a bit slow, and the strangeness of it all takes some getting used to, but I would highly recommend this to anyone.