“Prayer for the White Man” is episode seven of season two of First Wave.
In a forest, a Native American man is by a fire and performing some sort of ritual, throwing tobacco into the flames. A younger man, Alex, approaches and the older tells him he isn’t welcome. Alex tells the older man, Lonetree, that’s he’s concerned; Lonetree hasn’t eaten in four days. He may be searching for answers, but starving himself is not the way. Lonetree doesn’t see what’s so important about progress, about being like the white man. A deal with the devil is now deal at all. After Alex leaves, Lonetree has a vision. A wolf, and a floating young woman. She says something and points to the ground. The word ‘GUA’ is there.
Cade arrives at the Winchala Reservation. He says that gambling may be the most insidious of vices, a flame of affliction that may be spreading. The tribal council is voting on expanding gambling to all reservation lands. Cade first goes to a casino and plays some blackjack, talking to the dealer about gambling and the downsides of it, such as increased crime. The dealer is making far more working in an air-conditioned casino than he did digging ditches, so he doesn’t see a downside. Cade asks about the upcoming vote and how it works. The dealer mentions Lonetree, a member of the tribal council who thinks the white man is behind this. He’s a lawyer who exposed a government fraud and expanded their lands greatly, and is respected for this. The dealer thinks he’s a dinosaur, though; it’s not about red and white. It’s about green. Cade asks where he can find Lonetree.
Cade is posing as a reporter for the Gaming Chronicles when he finds Lonetree. Lonetree’s reception is less than friendly to say the least. He thinks Cade is working with Alex. Lonetree says that the casinos will be built in the centre of villages, just like this one, and will make the villages worse, just like this one. Only people like Cade think the economic benefits are worth it. Lonetree is sure that Cade is working for a big casino and Alex.
Inside the casino, a man (Brent Strait), has a picture of Cade and is asking if he’s been seen. The dealer admits he has when the man offers him money, and that he sent him to see Lonetree.
Cade has now gone to see Alex, who says that Lonetree is claiming that gambling diminishes their spirituality and connection to the past. Yes, white man may have destroyed their culture to a degree, but they are all brothers on this planet and have to work together. Eddie has looked up Alex and he’s squeaky clean. He arrived seven years ago and, though he’s brought in a lot of money, only takes $30K a year. Cade still doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t know what the Gua would be doing, though. Eddie has looked something up; it’s a supernatural spirit that empowers the tribe.
Alex and a female assistant have looked Cade up and discovered who he really is. Alex thinks Cade’s name sounds familiar and suggests running by the Gua command. The woman tells him they need to keep it to themselves; they’ll contact the command after achieving their goal. Cade was a top-notch thief; maybe he’s casing the casino. Alex says he will set 2-3 men on Cade to give him a beating. Later, Cade is walking when a man asks for help with his friend. Then he and said friend start beating on Cade. Until they are driven off by a wolf. Cade also sees the woman Lonetree saw.
Cade is back at Lonetree’s, who is treating his bruises. Lonetree is trying to figure out what Cade’s game is. Cade knows it sounds crazy, but two guys jumped him and it was looking really bad. Until a wolf saved him and he saw a woman floating above the ground. Lonetree says that’s not possible; Cade probably heard their legend. It’s blasphemy. Cade insists he did and that he’s investigating a group of people who are interested in the outcome of the vote. He thinks Alex is one of them. Lonetree is sure Cade is up to something. All white men take; it’s in their nature, and nature doesn’t change. Cade insists, on the way out, they have a common goal and his gut tells him Alex is dirty.
According to Eddie, Cade has made Bounty Hunter Monthly. The man looking for Cade might be a bounty hunter, going by that. Lonetree really doesn’t trust Cade and thinks he’s up to something. Perhaps he is, but not what Lonetree thinks. At some point, though, Cade is likely to mention the name ‘Gua’ and that will mean something to Lonetree.