Written by John Edward Betancourt Zahn McClarnon and Jenna Elfman as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Agent Sylvia Washington in Episode 303 of ‘Dark Winds’ – ‘Ch’į́į́dii (Ghosts)’. (Photo Courtesy of Michael Moriatis/AMC.)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One particular truth in life that we go to great efforts to avoid, is that there will always be consequences for our actions. For the universe believes in balance over anything else, and no matter how hard we try to keep our actions out of sight or justify them, it will exert that balance through consequences. Some of them will be large and devastating in nature, while others will be smaller and frustrating, depending upon what we are trying to keep out of sight. But they will come and well… this is top of mind today, simply because Joe Leaphorn and Bernadette Manuelito dealt with this in the next episode of Dark Winds on AMC. For ‘Ch’į́į́dii (Ghosts)’ featured consequences big and small for this duo, with Bernadette dealing with the latter. Because she came to learn that Spenser’s muscle, Roberto C. ‘Budge’ de Baca, was keeping tabs upon her and made sure to return her service revolver as an olive branch. Which gave Bernadette an option in her case, either enjoy the stalemate and let things be, or keep pushing forward on her investigation, and she of course, chose to push. Because she knew something was happening and that led… to consequences… despite her best efforts to keep her search on the down low. For Spenser arranged a fine dinner in Mexico between her and Budge. Wherein she learned that Budge and Spenser were formidable forces, since she was left to fend for herself in Mexico, to make it clear she needed to back off, and that warning was her consequence and paled in comparison to Leaphorn’s journey. Who at first, did not seem to be dealing with any consequences at all. Because despite taking some injuries in the last episode, he and Chee were hot on the trail of their suspect and that brought them to a chili farm just up the way from the cabin. Wherein they met some very strange individuals that clearly knew something about the case at hand but did their best to just keep Joe and Chee at bay. But of course, secrets always come out and eventually Joe was able to learn that the boys were at that farm often and recently ticked off the group’s leader. But before justice could be served on such matters, the farm was abandoned and its leader escaped in the red truck that was involved in the murder, stretching this case out and leaving wounded in its wake.  Jessica Matten and Bruce Greenwood as Agent Bernadette Manuelito and Ted Spenser in Episode 303 of ‘Dark Winds’ – ‘Ch’į́į́dii (Ghosts)’. (Photo Courtesy of Michael Moriatis/AMC.)
But in between that progress on the case, there were consequences that came to light for Joe and his actions with BJ Vines. Mainly because, two little girls who were out playing, found his freakin’ body. Or what was left of it, rather. For six months of decay left behind a bushel of beard and not much else and that of course… ignited something within Agent Washington. Who prompted Joe to take her to the crime scene to work the clues and that in turn… forced Joe to face his actions and that did not go well. Since it put his mind in a panicked place and left him in an uncomfortable position where keeping his cool and being the strongest investigator at the scene was not possible. Since Vines was truly coming back to haunt him, and there is a real sense that will only be a matter of time before Agent Washington puts two and two together.
A sense that was reinforced by the fact… that Joe’s family found out about it and offered up some unique responses for it. Because Joe’s dad, Henry, was over the moon that justice, be it off the books, prevailed in this moment, and that put Emma in a dark place. Wherein she realized that her husband lied to her and crossed all the wrong lines and that led to a powerful confrontation. One where the spiritual world and the real world collided, since she spoke to how Joe had done the family a hideous disservice by letting the spirit of Vines hang about their family, and how he had sullied the memory of their son. Because now, justice was mired in revenge and blood, and that left Joe in silence and of the understanding, that the chickens had indeed come home to roost and consequences were now in front of him. All of which made, for a magnificent story. Simply because, what Joe did here, is often glossed over in the genre. As though the grey justifies necessary evil when the time is right. So, to see consequences come into play was quite powerful and quite refreshing, and now Joe is going on a powerful journey. One that will test him in ways he never thought possible. Yet, while that will be fascinating to see play out, this episode also made it seem as though Bernadette and Joe/Jim’s cases are on a collision course. Since the creepy chili farmers had a picture of Bernadette in their barn, and well… all of these elements will have us counting down the minutes to next week’s tale. To enjoy more thoughtful moments involving Joe and to see where these fascinating cases are headed. Until next time. Watch ‘Dark Winds’
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