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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Potency in plants and humans is something that comes fresh, to be passed down from generation to generation.
Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi’s Reservation Dogs Season 1 Episode 3 (titled “Uncle Brownie”) takes the titular group of criminals-turned-vigilantes on a short road trip. This review will include spoilers, as the title of this article suggests, so please read ahead at your own discretion.
Plot Summary
According to FX on Hulu, here is the synopsis for the series’ third episode.
With a new rivalry crew threatening the Rez Dogs, Elora seeks out her Uncle to help them learn how to fight.
Devery Jacobs plays Elora Danan Postoak, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai plays Bear Smallhill, and Paulina Alexis plays Willie Jack. Lane Factor is credited as Reservation Dogs member, Cheese, but does not appear in the episode.
Gary Farmer makes a guest appearance as Uncle Brownie, while Kimberly Guerrero also makes a guest appearance.
Marshall Bell plays Skippy, Ginger Gilmartin plays the bartender at Old Muggy’s. Mark Hanson and Todd Jenkins play barflies. Gary Sievers plays an old man, while Louanne Stephens plays a woman named Louanne. Bobby Wilson portrays Jumbo.
Elva Guerra returns as Jackie.
Discussion
Mark Schwartzbard returns as the cinematographer for the episode, while Varun Viswanath serves as the editor. Tiffany Anders acts as the music supervisor. Brandon Tonner-Connolly and Jillian Bundrick design the production and costumes, respectively. Angelique Midthunder is the episode’s casting director.
This week’s episode focuses on natural power. An elderly couple debate on how much land the American government should return to the Natives. Out of nowhere, they hit a deer on the road, which the Reservation Dogs soon find and take with them. It’s worth noting that this animal carcass starts off as a gag (no pun intended), and eventually, we see it as something more meaningful. It becomes part of a peace offering between Uncle Brownie and the bar folk.
Willie Jack also found her own way of taking down the rival gang. She somehow comes into possession of their hair, which she then puts in a baggy to use to place a curse on the new kids. A bar patron takes it and tells her he’ll see what he can do. This only means this is the beginning but also goes against something Uncle Brownie warned the Dogs earlier in the day. “Don’t mess with bad medicine.”
Brownie believes his dug-up jar of marijuana is worth selling. It’s unfortunate, however, that no one in town takes it. The residents would rather have white man’s weed or from the local dispensary. Similarly, he has gotten too old to fight and passes his knowledge of tricks to the kids. It’s important to pass such things onto the younger generation so that they can be modified and improved. Weed and fighting skills have this in common.
Juxtapositions in Reservation Dogs Episode 3
The episode juxtaposes perceptions of different subject matter. The elderly couple discusses what the Natives deserve. Louanne (Stephens) says: “The whites did kill an awful lot of ’em [Native Americans] and took the land, so America oughtta be ashamed of itself.” Her husband believes otherwise, that the casinos should be enough. What he doesn’t know is that not all Native Americans live in casinos. Hence, the Reservation Dogs and their community.
“Uncle Brownie” also juxtaposes its namesake characters with the younger generation. His home consists of a The Thing movie poster, along with VHS tapes of Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Stargate, The World is Not Enough, Top Gun, The Blues Brothers, Shanghai Noon, The Rock, The Hitcher, Crocodile Dundee, and other 1980s and ’90s films. Brownie’s weed is even juxtaposed with the weed sold at the dispensary. He’s told that his plant is too old and is even allowed to smoke from the business’s bong.
We also get looks at the reservation, which is a little messy and run-down compared to other small towns you might see in film and television. For the Native Americans, it might be the norm. This environment has become their living grounds, and it’s why the elderly couple has a quarrel about it.
Performances and Character Developments
Gary Farmer just steals the show. From the marijuana smoking to the fight choreography, and to taking control as an adult, I hope this is not the last we see of Uncle Brownie. I like his dynamic with the girls, Elora and Willie. For example, I like his spitting match with Willie, which lasts a few moments. It’s important to get an angle from the older Native American people and learn what they have to offer. Brownie has some philosophies that are worth noting. In terms of fighting, he says, “You listen, you learn. A warrior has to take a beating sometimes. That’s how he gets stronger. It’s all about getting back up again.”
When it comes down to it, Brownie is a rather impressive individual, especially once you learn that he fought 30 people and 2 cops at a bar instead of 20 people (including one cop).
Final Thoughts
“Uncle Brownie” has some good to it that must be revisited in the future. While the first two episodes featured young and adult characters, this third episode was inclusive of the elderly. It’s important to absorb some wisdom from these types of people while time is still on your side. Especially with things like the pandemic happening, this virtue can never be truer.
Harjo and Waititi’s Reservation Dogs is now available on FX and FX on Hulu!
Have you seen this series? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know! For more comedy-related news and reviews visit and follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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