Wednesday, September 22, 2021

September TV Finales - Reservation Dogs - Season One

A lot of new shows are returning now in the US of A, however Reservation Dogs aired its season one finale yesterday.

The series is created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for FX on Hulu in the USA along with Binge in Australia. 

It is a notable first in that it features all Indigenous writers and directors, along with an almost entirely Indigenous American cast and production team. It is also the first series to be shot entirely in Oklahoma.

The series premiered in early August on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The eight episode first season follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. They spend their days committing crime and fighting it, in an effort to get to California.


A month after the series commenced airing, it was renewed for a second season. Starring D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Deverey Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, and newcomer Lane Factor.

Part of the development process included casting unknown actors from Indigenous communities, and the young leads in particular forming a working rapport, often around their shared love of Indigenous comedy. 

The series has been well received while being part comedy, part drama. I do love a swift thirty minute show with a short episode run. Reservation Dogs is a welcome addition to my TV dance card. The show is also one of the most original series I have watched in a while. No medical/cop/fire fighter/drug procedurals on this series.

It's back to basics TV at its best. Taika Waititi is at the top of his game right now. Tomorrow a look at last night's explosive Wentworth episode. The Emmy's may be over but it's peak TV season y'all!

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