As fans get ready to bid farewell to the beloved characters of the “Reservation Dogs,” FX raises the anticipation with a brand-new trailer for the show’s third and ultimate season. The critically lauded series, crafted by the creative duo of Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, intricately weaves the tale of four indigenous adolescents: Elora Danan (portrayed by Devery Jacobs), Bear Smallhill (represented by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Willie Jack (embodied by Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (characterized by Lane Factor) who inhabit a rural area in Oklahoma. The plot turns on its axis when they resolve to embark on a journey to California, in homage to their friend, Daniel (played by Dalton Cramer), who tragically took his own life. For the better part of two seasons, audiences have seen the quartet devise plans to garner the requisite funds for their Californian dream, which was a lifelong ambition of Daniel. The previous season climaxed with an emotive scene when Elora, Bear, Willie Jack, and Cheese ultimately achieve their target and pay tribute to Daniel.
The trailer for the third season, accessible below, resumes the narrative as the group retreats from California. The scene depicts all of them boarding a bus; however, only Elora, Cheese, and Willie Jack arrive back home. Bear’s spirit of adventure appears to be insatiable, and he remains absent. Elora, back in her hometown, contemplates her future, while Willie Jack embraces her lineage, expressing willingness to imbibe wisdom from her ancestors to carry their legacy forward. Meanwhile, in Bear’s absence, his mother, Rita (Sarah Podemski), finds solace in communicating with the spirit of Cookie (Janae Collins), a departed friend, and Elora’s mother. In juxtaposition, Bear maintains his connection with his spirit guide (depicted humorously by Dallas Goldtooth) who enlightens him on topics as diverse as the invention of the potato chip to the journey towards healing.
The Final Journey: “Reservation Dogs” to End with Third Season
Despite bagging a Peabody Award, two Independent Spirit Awards, and earning nominations for Critics’ Choice Television Awards and Golden Globes, “Reservation Dogs” will conclude with its impending season. This unexpected announcement was made by Harjo, the show’s co-creator, causing a ripple of surprise among fans, considering the show’s monumental success. On June 29, Harjo turned to Instagram to break the news, saying, “Aho young and old warriors! Here it is: The forthcoming third season of Reservation Dogs will be the last one. It’s a hard pill to swallow, and an even tougher decision to make. However, it’s the right choice creatively for the series. I always envisioned how this story would culminate, but the timing was uncertain. As we dove into the creation of storylines and scripting this season, it dawned on me, the producers, and Taika that the third season’s finale is the perfect SERIES finale.” Despite the disheartening announcement, Harjo had some silver lining to offer, indicating that the much-loved characters from “Reservation Dogs” might “appear in other stories in the future.”
“Reservation Dogs” first hit the screens in 2021, marking a landmark moment in American TV history, being the first series where every writer, director, and series regular were of Indigenous origin. Harjo and Waititi not only co-created but also served as executive producers, in collaboration with Garrett Basch.
The swansong season of “Reservation Dogs,” an FX on Hulu show, is all set to premiere with a double-bill on August 2. Comprising ten episodes, the season will unfold every Wednesday until September 27. The countdown begins, as fans eagerly await to see how this unique and compelling story comes to an end.
