‘Dark Winds’ Recap: ‘Ha’iinlni’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that crime dramas follow quite the specific formula when they reach the third act of the story. The kind that involves a grand manhunt for the villain, one wrought with violence and worry and sacrifice before at long last… the mastermind is confronted in a spectacular final showdown with the investigator that’s been hunting him. One that is visceral and angry and where good is triumphant, and it makes sense as to why this formula permeates the landscape of this genre. Because it provides one hell of a show or one compelling read, depending upon the format of the story, and it works so well and offers so much satisfaction, that this formula continues to be the standard for the crime drama.
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Which is why the next episode of Dark Winds on AMC is incredibly significant. For ‘Ha’iinlni’ is a story that should have followed that formula. After all, Frank Nakai was in custody after that ugly shootout, and that should have brought about a renewed search for James Tso, following a full-on confession from Nakai since the police had him dead to rights. Not to mention, having the FBI pop back up in this tale, should have allowed for a race to the finish line to take place, where Whitover and Chee would have worked to outwit and outlast the always resourceful, Lieutenant Leaphorn in the hunt for this criminal mastermind. For all of those elements would have been a powerhouse way to move us toward the season one finale of this series and well… it turned out that this episode did none of those things in the slightest.

Instead, this episode took the time to offer up a little healing and context for the Lieutenant. Because his chat with Frank led him back to that dark day when his son died, since there was implication that something more happened on that fateful day. And a chat with Guy revealed that the oil fields happened to also harbor Uranium, so much in fact that others were eager to buy the land to get at that Uranium, and finally getting answers from Guy… allowed for both men to finally lower their guard and resolve their differences. Bringing forth some genuine healing and a renewal of friendship and of course… it led Leaphorn to B.J. Vines to learn more about the Uranium and how exactly the Buffalo Society connected to it and Vines’ outright purchase of the old facility. 

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Plus, this is a story that also took the time… to throw a little mysticism into the mix as well. Since Nakai escaped with the help of Emma, who put Bernadette under a spell to free the man. Which meant that Bernadette had to bring Emma in to put an end to this madness and that terrified her. For she knew Emma would use her magics to keep her and law enforcement at bay. But her duty eventually outshined her fear and compelled her to confront Emma and arrest her, and well… that brought forth some surprises. Because not only was Bernadette able to resist her power, but she inadvertently managed to bring an end to Emma through the cleansing power of fire. A twist that brought about more truth regarding this case. For Wanda woke up once the spell was broken and quickly sang to the authorities.
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Yet while those two storylines could have carried this episode from beginning to end, there was another unique plot thread present here that kept this episode in unique territory. For this is also a tale that put Jim Chee at a crossroads. Because despite landing a spot in the D.C. office for his fine work in this case, his continued digging on the matter, revealed some troubling truths about his boss. In that Whitover did nothing about the laundering/blackmailing aspect of the case since he never once filed a word about what Devoted Dan told him, and he was seemingly working to do whatever was necessary to bury any matters that weren’t related to a federal case. Putting Jim at quite the crossroads, one where a decision about where his loyalties will lie will have to be resolved since Whitover was basically putting the Navajo on the backburner.

But that, will need to wait until next week’s finale. For in the closing moments of this tale, we were surprised by a touch of the traditional here. In that, Joe Leaphorn managed to track down James and Nakai to their hiding place, setting the stage for that grand showdown after all. One where backup is on the way courtesy of Whitover and Bernadette and well… that’s likely the only traditional portion of this story that we will get. For after a brilliant episode, one filled to the brim with dynamic, trope shattering storylines… it’s safe to say that we can expect the unexpected come next week. When Joe and his colleagues settle the matter with the Buffalo Society, once and for all. Until next time.

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