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.
What matters is how the characters — and Joe Leaphorn in particular — feel about everything that’s happening, and that material lands beautifully. It cannot be overstated how great Zahn McClarnon is in this role. .... Gordon, Allison, and Matten are also excellent. Even though the series is primarily a Leaphorn/Chee two-hander, the nature of this season essentially turns Manuelito into the second lead, and she more than justifies the extra screen time.
From the gorgeous, stark southwestern setting to the mystery to the main characters to the hint of dark magic, everything works to heighten the drama and keep the action compelling despite a comfortable pace that matches the ‘70s aesthetic.
Aside from a few repetitive cat-and-mouse moments between Leaphorn and the new Big Bad, “Dark Winds” benefits from its short run because it’s not bloated like so many streaming series are these days. The show makes every episode matter and keeps up a breakneck pace that relentlessly drives the story forward.
The coming together of the murder and robbery plots is fine, and more or less satisfying, but it’s everything else about this series that will reach you.
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.