‘Dark Winds’ Recap: ‘K’e’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous and fascinating new AMC series, Dark Winds, we talked at length about quite the surprise. In that, the series wasted little time in solving some of its biggest mysteries. Such as the fact that Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn figured out that Deputy Jim Chee was in fact, an FBI Agent working undercover to solve the bank heist, and why Joe harbored such bad blood amongst some of the people of the Navajo Nation and of course… we came to learn that a man of the cloth, was involved in a heinous and brutal crime. But we also pondered upon the possibility that solving so many important mysteries early, potentially meant that the story had other concepts in mind to explore, as the season rolled along and well, it turns out that particular pondering was in fact, correct.
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For ‘K’e’ is a story that used that freedom to explore a great deal more about this fascinating universe. For instance, it took the time to inform us that Devoted Dan, the car dealer with those annoying commercials, was part of this whole heist. Since he used his car dealership to launder the vast amounts of money stolen in the robbery and we also learned that the money was finding its way to him, in a supremely inconspicuous manner. By way of a panting in fact, one that was quietly purchased at the outpost on a regular basis by others who wouldn’t arouse suspicion and what made this particular part of the story so incredibly engaging… was the reveal of who exactly was helping to move those paintings. 

Because it turned out to be Wanda, Lester’s wife. Whom clearly just wanted to get her cut and enjoy a little financial safety and it was just fascinating to see an everyday woman, risk so much in the hopes of enjoying a little extra money in her bank account, and learn how dangerous and ruthless Father Tso actually can be if his prize might be remotely threatened. For a chance encounter between Wanda and the police, one that Tso got word of… motivated him to scare Wanda and eventually kill her through mystical means involving Anna’s knowledge of the darkness of the world. But while it was fascinating to learn more about the heist and how the gang works, there was so much more that this episode took the time to dig into now that it was free of some mysteries.

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Such as… what the Navajo culture is all about. For this down time presented the opportunity to explore such matters in an in-depth manner and what the Navajo people celebrate and cherish and that came forth by way of Leaphorn’s niece. Because she had her first period in this tale, and that meant the community needed to come together to celebrate her coming of age through the Kinaaldá ceremony and well, it was both beautiful and incredible to see this ceremony firsthand and learn how the Navajo people view life and cherish it, and the incredible exploration of this culture didn’t end there. Since we were also privy to how the Navajo honor their dead, since Joe brought back Anna and Hosteen's bodies and that oddly enough, led to some powerful commentary.
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For the isolation and solemn nature of the two funerals that took place, and the process of bringing the dead to their final resting place, helped us to understand how Indigenous Americans from every tribe are nothing more than an afterthought in Modern America. A reality reinforced by the fact that Special Agent Whitover made Joe handle the body transfer to begin with, an indignity that was further compounded by the fact that Joe was forced to buy the shrouds that would cover the dead and other items for the Kinaaldá ceremony. Which of course, helped out some of the merchants in Flagstaff, but spoke to the reality that none of this was readily available for him to purchase. Because no one out there cared enough to offer it because no one… thought about or thinks about Indigenous Americans. Which was some sobering commentary for certain, the kind that stays with you long after this episode has ended.

Because it reminds you that the various tribes that still reside across the United States of America, were here first, and should be afforded every right we have and more for the atrocities they endured, and they should be celebrated and recognized, and well… that’s why this show needs to continue to be applauded. For it is flawless in its representation and it does a wonderful job educating us, and it absolutely features a powerful mystery for certain. One that is beginning to grow in scope and danger, because hostages are involved and these criminals are causing trouble every step of the way and well, this shockingly original and unique episode only compels us to continue the journey. So we can not only see where the mystery will take us, but see what else we will learn about the Navajo people and their beautiful culture and ideologies. Until next time.

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