GGA’s Indigenerd Wire’s rewatch of Rutherford Falls continues. In “Stoodis,” Nathan (Ed Helms) pushes back against Terry’s (Michael Greyeyes) retail community idea. Reagan (Jana Schmieding) discovers a Rutherford family secret.
Terry came up with the idea to turn Rutherford Falls into a retail tourism community called Ye Olde Rutherford Village. And Nathan is the village’s mascot. Mayor Deirdre (Dana L. Wilson) likes the idea but Nathan hates it. Even though Reagan is on board to help Nathan save his family home.
RELATED: Rutherford Falls Rewatch (S01E08): Skoden
FLASHBACK
The night before her wedding, Reagan told Nathan about her full ride to Northwestern. The only problem is Ray doesn’t want to go to Illinois because his car won’t make it back. Reagan really loved Ray and she knew people would freak out if they didn’t get married. She asks Nathan what she should do. He won’t tell her what to do, but instead says she deserves to live a fulfilling life. If she doesn’t go after what she really wants, she won’t have a fulfilling life. That’s why Reagan called off her wedding.
PRESENT DAY
Nathan rejects Terry’s plan for Ye Olde Rutherford Village and walks out of his office. Reagan chases him down to convince him to change his mind. Nathan calls her a liar and says he doesn’t know who she is. He won’t listen to her so Reagan stops chasing him.
Regan returns to Terry’s office to say I told you so. She also yells at Terry because her cultural center is not on the diorama. I mean, Terry put a Tesla recharging station in the plans, but no cultural center. Well, he did put the cultural center. He thought it would be more respectful to create a separate building outside of the casino.
Reagan is amazed. The structure is two stories and even has an ADA compliant ramp. She thanks Terry but says it’s a huge space to fill. Terry suggests she start with the stuff in Aunt Joan’s carriage house. He gives her a blank check and tells her to keep the cost under 20K. Reagan knows that Nathan is going to hate what she’s about to do. Terry says he will take care of Nathan, while Reagan shakes down his aunt.
STOODIS
Nathan returns to the museum and finds Bobby (Jesse Leigh) rearranging the photos of the prominent Rutherfords. He tells his assistant about Terry’s plan to turn Rutherford Falls into Disneyland. Nathan decides he will hate Terry forever for trying to turn him into Mickey Mouse. Bobby likes the idea of Nathan being one of the most beloved figures in pop culture. He says it’s better to be a part of the solution instead of against it. Like the time when Bobby became friends with a group of girls who used to bully him. Now they bully people together. Nathan sees his point. He says there were several historical inaccuracies in Terry’s proposal and decides that Terry needs him to make sure everything is historically correct.
Reagan takes Josh (Dustin Milligan) with her to visit Aunt Joan (Nancy Berggren) because he’s pretty and might be able to charm the old lady. And if not, she rented a van for a few hours and they can spend that time making out. At first, Aunt Joan refuses to sell because the items were promised to Nathan. Reagan offers Joan $5,000 and she will be listed as top donor. Joan asks for $80K and won’t budge. Reagan threatens to take the matter to the Department of Interior to see if everything is compliant with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Or she can give Joan money for items that belong to her people anyway. Joan agrees and tells Reagan to get out. But Josh can stay.
BUTTER CHURNS
Nathan returns to Terry’s office to re-negotiate his participation in Ye Old Rutherford Village. Nathan’s list of demands include $23 million to expand the Rutherford Museum; full veto power on all architectural and historical decisions; use of the non-existent company helicopter … when Terry buys one; and an unlimited diorama budget. Terry says he will consider his demands but wants to show Nathan something first.
That something is a stereotypical colonial outfit complete with a white wig. Terry says it captures the spirit of the era. He also gives him a butter churn. According to Terry’s research, the average American’s understanding of history is based on seven things: George Washington, the Flag, Independence Day, Independence Day the movie, MLK, Forrest Gump, and butter churns. He says the butter churn will take the Rutherford Museum to the next level.
Terry renamed the museum, “Grandpappy Rutherford’s Old Time Creamery and History Museum.” He even suggests they get a cow with a cute name to please the crowd. Bobby comes up with the name Sir Milks A-Lot. Nathan gets frustrated saying Terry’s version of his family history is crap. Terry agrees and says every version of the Rutherford family history is crap. But at least this one is profitable.
THE LETTER
Reagan tries to quickly pack up the Minishonka items from the carriage house as Josh goes through some letters. He finds one from 1982 addressed to Nathan’s mom. It’s from a guy named Ron and he is disappointed they couldn’t name Nathan after his father. Upon further reading, they find out that Nathan is not a Rutherford. Reagan is suspicious of the letters, saying they can’t be real. Mainly because she knows Nathan will be extremely upset if he were to find out. Josh says she has to tell him.
Nathan and Bobby go back to the museum and Nathan starts packing things up. He’s sulking about the events of the day, saying no one cares about true history. He also hates that he’s being turned into a cartoon. Bobby tries to cheer up Nathan by being excited about the Rutherford history for him, but ends up annoying Nathan. Nathan says Bobby is a teenager who will never understand. Bobby decides to give Nathan some space and leaves.
Josh continued to dig in the items from Aunt Joan’s carriage house and found the custodial release from Nathan’s biological father. He says it’s the missing piece to his story. Regan says he can’t publish Nathan’s story, but Josh says it’s the only way to tell the Rutherford Truth. Reagan decides she can’t be with someone who is destroying her best friend’s life. And Josh wonders if Reagan and Nathan are really friends at all.
THE TRUTH
Reagan visits Nathan with a peace offering, P. F. Changs. This makes Nathan feel a little better after having the worst week. Reagan agrees and hesitates to ask how he likes his bad news. Nathan tells her to just give it to him.
Reagan starts by saying she was digging through Aunt Joan’s carriage house. This prompts her to explain that she bought back the Minishonka artifacts from his aunt. Of course, Nathan is upset and accuses her of stealing from his family.
Then Reagan blurts out that Nathan is not a Rutherford. She tells him about the letters they found from his real dad to his mom. Nathan doesn’t believe her and gets more upset. He says he’s sick of people acting like they know his heritage better than he does. Nathan tells Reagan to leave.
BEING NATHAN
Nathan goes to Buckheart Lodge where Duz (Benjamin Koldyke) finds him. Duz says everyone is worried about Nathan, including Reagan. He also tells Nathan that Reagan was right. Nathan is biologically not a Rutherford but a D’Angelo. Their mom had a friend from her bowling league named Ronnie D’Angelo. He would spend the night from time to time.
Duz says Nathan is still a Rutherford, regardless of his bloodline. Nathan starts to freak out a little bit and thanks his brother for enlightening him. Duz invites Nathan to come stay with him, but Nathan wants to be alone. Duz hugs him and apologizes before leaving. Nathan then calls Bobby to let him know that he’s closing the museum indefinitely. He tells Bobby that he’s an awesome person before saying goodbye.
Nathan gets in his car after tying a chain between the car and Big Larry. He drives away, hoping to pull Big Larry down. But his bumper falls off instead.
RELATED: Catch up Rutherford Falls Season 1 Recaps Here!
You can stream episodes of Rutherford Falls on Peacock.
News Editor, Senior Contributor, and Press Editor. Coordinate breaking news, trailers and press releases. I also contribute reviews, recaps and interviews. Creator of the Indigenerd Wire, a column dedicated to the Indigenous creatives in pop culture.
GGA's resident Indigenerd, a little bit rez, a little bit classy...with a love for all things Star Wars, zombies, science fiction, and Indigenous. My ultimate goal is to start my own podcast.
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E07) I Could Not Prevent It - June 24, 2024
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E06) Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light - June 17, 2024
- INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Recap: (S02E05) Don’t Be Afraid, Just Start The Tape - June 10, 2024
