In the wake of a society that is becoming more accepting, television is taking a crack at exposing people to the Native American/Indigenous lifestyles and beliefs. Recently, shows like Bones, Grimm, Sleepy Hallow, The Blacklist, Hannibal, Supernatural, Charmed, etc. are filming episodes dealing with Native American myths. But are the program creators of these networks accurately portraying tribal beliefs? In an investigation into the mass media and exploring the ploys and tactics of how closely television directors portray native mythology, I uncover the startling truths.
Focusing on the television show Grimm, an American based series based off the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, who collected and published European folk tales in the early 19th century. The premise is that those brothers weren't writing fairy stories, but warnings about the creatures that live among us. The television show is set in Portland, Oregon where detective Nick Burkhardt has inherited the ability to see supernatural creatures, and as a "Grimm," he is tasked with keeping the balance …show more content…
In a shortened summary, the three law enforcements working the case, Farris, Hank, and Nick, pay a visit to Hector, the tribe’s Dream Reader/Spiritual Guide. Hector tells the officers that Simon (his son) is on a power quest; alone and in the woods with no way to contact anyone. “The search for one’s spirit guide,” he tells them, “can be the source of a person’s special power—spiritual and physical” (“Mishipeshu.”). They revisit Hector at the reservation and he says it sounds like a Mishipeshu, a horned water serpent that can be called forth. But in order to gain the full story, they will need to enter the dream world and find Simon. In the end, Nick is able to expel Mishipeshu back to its home through the creative use of red