‘Dark Winds’ Recap: ‘Hózhóo Naasháa’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past six weeks, we’ve talked at length about the brilliant and refreshing nature of the AMC series, Dark Winds. For not only has this particular series, finally spotlighted the beautiful and important culture of the Navajo people that reside in the American Southwest, and offered a great deal of diversity, commentary, and representation along the way… it’s also been a show that has offered up a revolutionary crime drama. One that has defied the conventions and tropes that permeate the genre to provide its viewers with a mystery unlike any other. The kind grounded in the pain that comes from prejudice and apathy. 
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But while that has made for some powerful and engaging storytelling for certain, there is one particular constant when it comes to crime dramas. In that, wonderful writing or no… all roads eventually lead to a particular type of ending. One where good and evil will stand off in an epic and harrowing manner and where good often wins the day, and well, that’s mostly what the season one finale of this incredible series sent our way. For ‘Hózhóo Naasháa’ is a story that saw Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his associates finally confront the Buffalo Society in their cave hideout, and that did indeed lead to a fairly traditional and satisfying showdown for certain. But this writer uses the words ‘mostly’ and ‘fairly’ for one reason and one reason alone. Because despite familiar elements being present within this tale, the writers’ room of this story did their best to make sure this finale stayed in tune with the show’s desire to be a different kind of crime drama.

A feat accomplished here, by offering up quite the incredible reveal early on in this tale. For it took a matter of minutes to show us exactly why Special Agent Whitover has been working to quietly bury the murder case and why he’s been so hell-bent on getting onto the reservation to get to the bad guys. Simply because… he’s been on it the whole time. Because he figured out that James Tso and Frank Nakai were using a string of bank robberies to fund the Buffalo Society’s actions, and well… he also knew that the Gallup bank robbery was going to net them their biggest haul, and his retirement fund. Because like it or not… he was either getting his cut or they were going to jail. An ultimatum that left James with no choice, but to give Whitover what he wanted and well… that revelation added all kinds of tension to this tale.

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After all, in present day, Bernadette was with Whitover since they were making their way to the hideout. And knowing his true intentions at this point, combined with a warning from Chee, only added to tension that outright exploded once everyone arrived at the cave. For this coming together of heroes and villains, brought forth some epic moments. The kind that showed off Joe’s resourcefulness and Jim’s bravery. Plus, it also featured some unsung heroes since Guy swooped in to save the day and well, in the end… that grand showdown ended mostly as expected. Since Whitover paid for his treachery, the family the society kidnapped was returned home, and James imparted justice upon himself. For when he was faced with a lifetime in prison, he chose the easy way out, bringing an end to this mess, allowing for the story to explore… the importance of closure.
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For this whole ordeal re-opened old wounds while creating new ones. But it also provided everyone with clarity and context and an understanding that healing needed to take place. Which it did at last and with that in hand… the story had one last surprise in store for us. In that, Jim Chee returned home after all. Because the disgusting nature of Whitover’s actions prompted him to leave the FBI and not deny his roots any further… and as an added bonus, he would face no penalties for the vengeful actions he took on that fateful night. Since he concealed the fact that Guy shot Whitover and that he and Bernadette tried to destroy the money. Because it would seem that Nakai survived his injuries in the battle and took the cash, leaving a bit of an open end to this case and some new horizons ahead.

The kind where Jim Chee can show off his skills as an officer of the law now that he is free of the lies hanging over him, and perhaps he and Bernadette can explore their burgeoning love. Plus, now Joe can resume his duties as the top officer on the reservation with no more ghosts chasing him on the highways and with peace in his heart and in the hearts of those that once derided him. But before we truly look ahead to season two, and the good news is that season two is indeed on its way… we can bask in the majesty of a quasi-traditional finale. One that really did offer up some epic and familiar moments, while finding new ways to pepper in surprises as only this series can and now that we’ve reached the end of this case… we can now start counting down the minutes to a new year of storytelling, from one of the most refreshing crime dramas to hit the airwaves in recent years. Until next season.

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