Reservation Dogs – Season 3 Episode 7 “Wahoo!” Recap & Review

https://youtu.be/P3BpDkYjlTY

Wahoo!

In Reservation Dogs Season 3 Episode 7, Rita is offered a job in an IHS that’s out of town. She worries about making the right decision. Should she move? Would it upset Bear?

Cookie’s spirit appears to her to talk about the change, but Rita doesn’t want to see her. In fact, this freaks her out so much that she goes to see Larry, the IHS psychologist. He tells her that if she’s seeing the dead, maybe it’s her who needs something.

During a game of Wahoo, Cookie tells Rita that Bear sees spirits too; some families just can. She also advises her to see Elora more, as she’s her auntie. But when Rita asks her if she’s able to see Elora, Cookie evades the question.

They go get catfish together, where the employees note that she gets two orders just like Bear. Rob asks her if she’s okay, thinking she’s fallen off the deep end.

Cookie then asks her to take her to her mom’s place so she can check on Elora. Rita asks Elora if she’s happy, and Elora shares her desire to go to college. While Cookie looks on, Rita tells her Cookie would be proud. Elora even notes that she can sometimes feel her mom’s presence.

After Rita and the spirit leave, Cookie berates her for not having done that before. It turns out that there are a lot of things Rita could be doing with her life that she’s not. Cookie’s going to be 20 forever–but Rita should be doing whatever she wants. Cookie then starts crying, saying she always wants to tell Elora she’s here for her–except that she’s not really here.

Back at home, Rita asks Bear about what they did for Daniel in California. Their conversation makes her realize that she, Natalie, and Bev must do something for Cookie. They go to the river with a cassette titled “Cookie’s Hot Mix.” After saying a few words for Cookie, they throw the cassette in the river.

It’s then that Rita realizes she wants to take that job in the city. It will be up to Bear if he wants to come with her. But her friends will look after him if he stays–and Elora too.

The Episode Review

K. Devery Jacobs directed this beautiful episode, another credit to her creative input on the show (along with her writing for “Mabel,” one of my all-time favorite episodes).

I loved the performances from Sarah Podemski (Rita) and Janae Collins (Cookie) in this episode. It’s nice to see Bev and Cookie encourage Rita that she’s raised Bear well. He’s fully grown, and that means it’s about time for Rita to be able to do what she wants. Like so many Indigenous women before her, she’s forgotten about herself and her own needs. But that’s not the singular message. She and the other aunties can’t forget to keep looking out for the young ones.

I have very little criticism for this extremely touching episode and its welcome spotlight on Rita. Although, I would have liked to see more from Natalie. As much as we’re told she’s a part of this tight-knit group, we don’t often see that. But who knows? Maybe there’s a reason for everything.