Dark Winds

I just finished the first season of Dark Winds and have to say it was so much better than I expected it to be. I'm not it's one of my favorite shows, not even close, but it's definitely worth watching. It does start a little slow, I don't mind a slow burner but even I almost gave up early but stayed with it and it just got better and better with each episode to the point I binged all six episodes of the first season in a weekend. Six episodes was perfect for a show like this, it could possibly go to eight but I like six. The writing and acting is what makes this show so good. It looks like most people who stuck with it really enjoyed it and the people who didn't gave up after the first episode. Stick with it, you won't be disappointed. It did well enough to be picked up for another season so I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Well written, well acted, well paced. Two episodes in and I'm hooked. So far there are three plots to follow - the murders of two reservation residents, a high-profile armored car robbery using a helicopter, and a possible conspiracy to blow up a mining operation. And then there's spooky stuff... It sounds like a lot going on, but because the writing is so good, it's very easy to follow the various intersecting plot lines.

The characters are quite appealing - I credit the fine acting for that - consequently you get invested in the show very quickly. The show doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the overt and systematic racism faced by Native Americans in the 1970's (not to suggest it's strictly a thing of the past), but so far it's not falling into the trap of portraying the native people as 'noble savages,' either.

This is simply good drama, and the fact that it's set on a Navajo reservation just enhances the drama rather than over-relying on it or using it as a shtick. I like this show and I think if you give it a try, you'll be hooked, too.

I liked this so much, I couldn't stop watching it, I Binged watched it all. I kept forgetting that it took place in the 70's and not a computer, cell phone, modern vehicle in sight. It did not take feel like it was in the 70's either. AMC is doing great things non stop. They take their time and get the job done unlike Netflix.

I have really respected Zahn McClarnan's work in the past and looked forward to this version. Acting was good but the script and concept is so far from Tony Hillerman's (and later Anne Hillerman's) vision that I elected not to pursue future episodes.

I admit that I am old and well steeped in the Leaphorn and Chee tradition from the excellent novels and the Robert Redford PBS American Masterpiece programs so this version- which discards the most basic elements in favor of superficial oh so predictable plot progression and politically correct characters that this is thin gruel indeed.

Joe Leaphorn is NOT Joe Leaphorn. Bernie is NOT Bernie. And Jim Chee is from another universe altogether. It could be that everything was changed to make the series more palatable to a younger audience which has not experienced the richness of the novels from Tony Hillerman and continued by his daughter Anne, but there is no there, there and Jim Chee is NOT Jim Chee- not even close.

Maybe as a stand alone with new names for the characters it might work, but it plods and skims along the surface of something that has great potential to tell a great story.

I hope that those new to the Lephorn Chee Manuelito canon might take the time to read or listen to the books as written by the Hillermans, both father and daughter there is much to be drawn from them and, in my opinion, provide a much greater return for the time invested.

Dark Winds is an exceptional TV series that masterfully blends elements of noir, thriller, and even sci-fi, creating a gripping and immersive experience. Set in 1971 on the Navajo Nation, the show follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his deputy, Jim Chee, as they navigate a series of complex and interconnected crimes. The storytelling is top-notch, with each episode unraveling layers of mystery and character depth.

The cast delivers outstanding performances, particularly Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, whose portrayal of a man haunted by his past is both powerful and nuanced. The chemistry between Kiowa Gordon (Jim Chee) and Jessica Matten (Bernadette Manuelito) adds a heartfelt dimension to the series, providing moments of warmth amidst the tension.

Overall, Dark Winds is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and anyone looking for a series that combines thrilling plots with rich cultural storytelling. Highly recommended!