Teenie comes home as well. She’s been gone ever since Elora’s mother, Cookie, died. Now, she’s here for Elora, and she says she should have been there sooner.
Jackie comes by to be there for Elora as well, but the rest of the Rez Dogs aren’t ready to accept her yet. Jackie asks Cheese to admit that he doesn’t like her. He doesn’t. Or, at least, he’s not supposed to. But “life is short,” he says. Maybe she’s not so bad. She is here for Elora, after all.
Bear has an encounter with the spirit warrior at Mabel’s house. He asks Bear why he’s there. He says he wants to be there for his friend. But the spirit wonders if Elora knows that, if Bear won’t tell her.
Big and Teenie are talking outside, pondering how funny it is that death brings people together. They tell each other that they’re here for Elora. It goes unsaid, but you have to wonder after Bear’s encounter with the spirit–Does Elora know that?
Elora is mostly quiet at the gathering, accepting condolences when offered and listening to stories about her mother and Mabel. At one point, Jackie asks if they are going back to California after all this. Elora confirms that they are. ..
Elora is surprised when Teenie tells her that Mabel’s house will be hers when she passes. She can keep it, or she can sell it and get out of here, like Teenie did when Cookie passed.
That night, Mabel passes. Elora can’t take being around everyone inside, so she rushes out, crying. “Hey, shitass,” she hears. Turning around, she finds her grandmother’s spirit watching her from the other side of the door.
Mabel tells her granddaughter that she did well today–and not to sell her dish set, or she’ll haunt her. Elora laughs as Mabel’s spirit walks away.
The Episode Review
K. Devery Jacobs, who plays Elora, co-wrote and directed the best episode of season 2 so far.
Elora and Jackie’s return to Oklahoma feels seamless because Elora hasn’t yet made the decision to stay. We get to witness her struggle while she’s surrounded by people she once left behind. ..
The novel is written in a journal-style, and it’s easy to see how the author’s thoughts and feelings are expressed in the writing. The journal entries are brief, but they provide a great deal of insight into the characters and their thoughts. The author also uses strong language to express her emotions, which makes the book even more powerful.
Jacobs gives an excellent performance that elevates such a poignant and beautifully-written episode.
