SummarySet in 1971, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and his new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), investigate a double murder in this Graham Roland adaptation of Tony Hillerman's book series.
SummarySet in 1971, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and his new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), investigate a double murder in this Graham Roland adaptation of Tony Hillerman's book series.
Dark Winds may seem similar to other detective shows but it’s more than that. With well-written and sharply defined characters, plus an invigorating and tightly wound story, it’ll be hard to wait a week for each episode to drop.
It’s a riveting one. ... A heartfelt and accomplished thriller that doubles as a proof of concept for Camel Rock Studios’ ability to tell Native stories in popular television genres. It’s a stellar showcase for McClarnon.
I'm surprised that users rated it quite a bit lower than critics. Is it perfect? No, but the cast does a great job and the mystery is interesting enough to keep you invested. It's only until the finale that things slip away a little. And even though it is only 6 episodes long, I wish it had only been 5. There's a little too much filler for my taste and it makes a bit you see from each episode feel like padding.
The performances of McClarnon, Gordon and Matten shine through a fair amount of stiff dialogue and convoluted, not always convincing plotting; the role of the supernatural, in particular, feels less intriguing than simply unresolved. But “Dark Winds” has a sensibility that draws you in and compensates for the lapses in storytelling.
Whitover is an accent on a story that’s gratifyingly tightly told and focused on its core ensemble and their world. ... “Dark Winds” has an admirable directness of approach: It doesn’t slow down to explain itself to viewers, trusting that its milieu will come through loud and clear.
Not enough of the supporting characters have the same texture as Leaphorn and Chee. The supernatural intrigue doesn't entirely work. Still, this is an atmospheric crime thriller with real potential.
I like these mysteries. It reminds me of Tony Hillerman mysteries (it is!), which I always liked with the tribal police being the protagonists and good mysteries to solve, with lots of action happening on the side. Good acting, good scenery, good interaction of characters, good bad guys. All in all, worth watching.
Clichés, stereotypes and tropes! What's not to like?
- is it your woke dose of reversed racism that you want? Madame est servie: White people: all bad, evil, stupid, entitled. Indian people, all imbued with superior morals, culture, not only in tune with nature but also the supernatural. Dance with your wolf now!
- Detective: Taciturn, oh yes! Brooding? Hiding a dark secret! Say no more. That one never smiled in his life!
- Convulated heist that unearthes a deep-routed cancer at the heart of a community ? True, Detective!
Hail the algo!