Starting with a bang, a catchy pan-Indian 'fry bread' rap video plays. The rapper is obviously not in the league of better examples of the genre, like Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and playing to the average Joe, but it appears that's what people like, as Rita's colleagues cheer on the health clinic bringing him to town for an event...in another realistic, if disappointing, depiction of a rez hero. Rita walks out, revealing the rapper to be Bear's deadbeat Dad. Bear spends his time preparing for the visit, with support from his gang, while Elora is secretly being recruited by their rivals. Rita goes to a bar and meets Doctor David, played by the gorgeous Garrett Hedlund, and wakes up in his glamorous home. At first, she thinks she's finally hit the jackpot. Then comes a scene that belongs in television history for the first and best portrayal of an ignorant, if well intentioned white Indian wannabe. Rita notices David's tattoo of a confederate flag, covered with feathers; he unapologetically explains how he loves Indians and "Native women"...and it just goes downhill from there in an under a minute sequence that should win someone an Emmy. His grandfather bought the house from a Creek down on his luck, but then lost everything and Dr David is proud to have bought it back. Grandpa was real generous, letting the original property owners live on the land and occasionally come into the house. Suddenly, we're transported 100 years into the past, Dr David is dressed as a plantation owner and his Indian slaves all about are in costume as well, offering Rita homemade lemonade, like she was the fancy lady of the house. This scene is pure genius, reminiscent of several truly poignant and scathing scenes in Sherman Alexi's Indian Killer, in which a white people who study American Indian history/culture are shown to be condescending fools, unable to conceal their desperate desire for cultural appropriation - feigning lifting Indians up, with no apparent self awareness. I would not be surprised if this phenomenal scene was inspired by scenes in Alexi's novel, although pretentious New Agers are not an endangered species near reservations in America. Garrett Hedlund's performance is convincing, unaffected as the oblivious white dude - one of his career best performances, and it's a true shocker when he appears in the bar picking up Rita.
Bear and Elora both ultimately encounter extreme disappointment in those they love, yet again, and the episode ends in letdown. However, in American Indian literature, letdown sometimes foreshadows glimmers of hope. Likely, it will take until the end of the season until we really see that hope shine through.
Bear and Elora both ultimately encounter extreme disappointment in those they love, yet again, and the episode ends in letdown. However, in American Indian literature, letdown sometimes foreshadows glimmers of hope. Likely, it will take until the end of the season until we really see that hope shine through.
