Ep 6. Negotiations

In Rutherford Falls season 1 episode 6, titled "Negotiations," the tensions between the town of Rutherford Falls and the neighboring Minishonka nation continue to heighten. In the previous episode, the Minishonka tribe announced their plans to build a casino on their land, which is located near the historical land that the town of Rutherford Falls was built on. The show has been building up to this conflict for a while now, and it finally comes to a head in this episode.

The episode opens with Nathan Rutherford, the main character, meeting with the CEO of the casino company. Nathan is hoping to persuade the CEO to move the casino to a different location, but his efforts are unsuccessful. Back in Rutherford Falls, the residents are divided on the issue. Some are in favor of the casino, believing it will bring much-needed revenue to the town, while others are vehemently opposed, arguing that it would destroy the town's historical landmarks.

Meanwhile, Terry Thomas, a member of the Minishonka nation and Nathan's childhood friend, is appointed as the tribe's representative to negotiate with the town of Rutherford Falls. Terry is initially optimistic about the negotiations, but soon realizes that the town's representatives are not willing to compromise. They refuse to budge on their demands, which include maintaining control over the land where the casino would be built and receiving a percentage of the profits.

As tensions continue to escalate, Nathan suggests a compromise: the Minishonka nation could donate a portion of the casino's profits to a historical preservation fund for Rutherford Falls. While this proposal seems like a win-win solution, it's not enough for the town's representatives, who refuse to back down.

Throughout the episode, the show continues to explore the complex history between the Minishonka nation and the town of Rutherford Falls. In one scene, Terry explains to Nathan how his people were forced off their land by the government and have been fighting for their rights ever since. This lands heavy on Nathan's conscience as his family is responsible for the creation of the town and he begins to speculate on the morality of his family's actions.

The episode ends with tensions still high between the two sides, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats for the upcoming episodes. Throughout the series, "Negotiations" is one of the most intense and emotionally charged episodes. The show masterfully explores complicated political issues while remaining funny and engaging. This episode cements Rutherford Falls's place as one of the best new comedies on television.