Dark Winds Season 4 Review: The Neo-Western Hits a Series Best

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The fourth season of Dark Winds begins with Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) going through his daily routine: riding through the mountains, tending to his garden, and heading to work. However, things have changed. His wife, Emma, is gone, and her side of the closet is empty except for hangers. This new, unfamiliar situation sets the stage for the season, promising to be even better than what came before.

For years, Dark Winds has been a hidden gem on television, consistently captivating audiences with each new season. Beyond its stunning visuals, the show boasts intelligent writing and a compelling story that builds suspense with every episode. Season 4 centers on Tony Hillerman’s novel The Ghostway from the Leaphorn & Chee series, sending our main characters to Los Angeles for the first time. This change of scenery introduces a gripping, city-based mystery that quickly takes over their lives.

Dark Winds Unravels the Overly Romanticized View of Indigenous Peoples

Following the events of the previous season, Dark Winds returns to its familiar pattern. Detectives Leaphorn and Jim Chee are now investigating the disappearance of Billie Tsosie, a young woman who ran away from boarding school. At the same time, Bernadette “Bern” Manuelito is considering rejoining the Navajo Tribal Police after her job with the Border Patrol ended. She doesn’t stay away for long, as Joe asks her to return to the NTP for a specific case.

The departure of Los Angeles and Emma isn’t the only big change for this team of Navajo investigators. After three seasons of building attraction, Bern and Chee are now officially a couple, and actors Matten and Gordon portray their connection with fantastic chemistry. From quick kisses at the police station to supporting each other through tough times, they’re a joy to watch. This newfound intimacy has allowed both characters, especially Chee, to reveal previously hidden sides of themselves.

This season, Joe faces exciting new challenges with the arrival of Irene Vaggan, a dangerous hitwoman played by Franka Potente. As Joe works to reconnect with his Navajo heritage to win back Emma’s trust, Vaggan becomes obsessed with him, a fascination stemming from her childhood love of a fictional Apache chief in a Western story. Meanwhile, Vaggan’s employer, Dominic McNair, is pressuring her to find Billie to settle a family debt.

Potente brilliantly portrays the conflicting sides of Vaggan. She convincingly plays both a ruthless assassin, lurking and waiting to strike, and a vulnerable young woman filled with desire when she thinks her romantic fantasy with an Indigenous man might come true. This isn’t the first time Dark Winds has explored how white characters idealize and obsess over Indigenous culture. The show often presents this through humor, like the running gag about white people buying anything with a ‘tribal’ look, or Chee’s recent joke, “White people like their rocks.”

Season 4 pushes boundaries with a storyline where Vaggan crosses ethical, social, and sexual lines with Joe, culminating in a particularly gripping eighth episode – one of the most intense in recent television. This plotline cleverly connects with other themes, like Chee’s spiritual disconnection from his heritage, the pressures of cultural assimilation in boarding schools, and the FBI’s lack of concern for missing Indigenous people. The series poignantly illustrates why the NTP would travel all the way to Los Angeles for a missing girl: because Indigenous communities must rely on each other when no one else will help.

Season 4 Takes Dark Winds to Los Angeles

This season of Dark Winds, largely set in Los Angeles, really embraces the city’s style. The costumes are fantastic, letting Bern and Joe join Chee in sporting trendy flare pants and blouses—though Chee remains the most fashionable. The show highlights that his Los Angeles vibe goes beyond just his clothes, showcasing a deep connection to the city.

The show’s visual design, including sets and locations in Los Angeles – from stylish bars to comfortable homes and simple motel rooms – is remarkably well done. It’s clear the creators are dedicated to creating a distinct atmosphere and fully integrating the story with its environment. While many shows set in the 1970s can feel overly reliant on period details, Dark Winds strikes a perfect balance, avoiding cliché. The music and references feel natural and contribute to a polished, sophisticated narrative.

The biggest criticism of Season 4 is that the character Vaggan appears suddenly without a clear explanation of how she arrived. While her motivations are compelling, her intense personality can sometimes be overwhelming. Furthermore, her history with McNair and their relationship could have been explored more thoroughly to provide a better understanding of both characters and their connection.

Zahn McClarnon Takes Command Yet Again

This season, McClarnon is clearly the most dominant character, though Gordon and Matten are becoming strong contenders. Last season, Joe’s guilt about B.J. Vines’ death took on a supernatural element, putting his life in danger and ultimately leading to his breakup with Emma, who moved to Los Angeles. Now, in Season 4, Joe is trying desperately to become the ideal man for Emma – embracing wellness practices, reconnecting with nature, and focusing on his spiritual side. However, this transformation ironically makes him a more appealing target for Vaggan.

This season, instead of facing external threats, McClarnon is grappling with an internal struggle as he helps Joe. Like the character Vaggan, Joe is living in a fantasy, believing he can win back Emma if he proves himself good enough. He remains as emotionally fragile as before, but now fully understands the pain of his past. He’s deeply marked by his mistakes, and slowly realizes that accepting them is something he must do for himself, not seek validation from others.

Joe is consistently portrayed as a strong, admirable figure, even when facing immense challenges. The show, Dark Winds, deliberately explores his vulnerabilities, reinforcing why the community respects him both as a person and as a police officer. The writing is particularly strong when Joe uses his intelligence to solve problems, though he’s never portrayed as flawless. When he struggles, actor Zahn McClarnon beautifully conveys a raw, relatable vulnerability. It’s surprising he hasn’t received more recognition from the Television Academy, and he also delivers an impressive debut as a director with the season’s second episode.

I’m really seeing Gordon step up to McClarnon’s level this season. The trip to L.A. has unlocked a lot for Chee, bringing up all these visions of his past. Gordon is playing him as someone completely haunted, like a man still trapped in his childhood, unable to process things he should have dealt with ages ago. It makes total sense, considering how much of his life he’s spent away from the reservation, and it cleverly connects back to his roots in the first season. And while his connection with Bern is amazing, honestly, the chemistry between him and Chaske Spencer’s new character is just electric. It’s a dynamic I can’t get enough of!

The fourth season of Dark Winds begins a bit slowly, with an episode dedicated to Robert Redford, but quickly grabs your attention by the end. As the team investigates a crime scene bathed in red light, they uncover increasingly disturbing clues. The tense atmosphere is heightened by shaky camera work, a slamming screen door, and a truly chilling musical cue. This season premiere is a standout, demonstrating the show’s ability to consistently deliver compelling storytelling year after year.

Dark Winds Season 4 premieres on AMC and AMC+ on February 15.

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2026-02-09 21:12