Written by John Edward Betancourt Zahn McClarnon as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn in Episode 302 of ‘Dark Winds’ – ‘Náá’tsoh (Big Eyes)’. (Photo Courtesy of Michael Moriatis/AMC.)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the Season Three Premiere, click here.
When we last settled in to discuss the wonderous AMC Networks series, Dark Winds, we talked at length about how the show seemingly made it known that its third season would be diving into vastly different concepts storytelling wise. For the premiere really toyed with the possibility that there might be something spiritual lurking about in the American Southwest, since Leaphorn saw echoes of something hideous and sinister, and Bernadette had many a question regarding what happened at the border, since the mother and daughter she rescued, were deeply spooked by something powerful. To the point where a symbol left us curious as to whether that mother and daughter saw something evil in the darkness as well. Leaving us to wonder, what’s really happening in both storylines and if indeed our heroes have brushed up against something from another world. Well as it turns out, the next episode in this series, really didn’t answer that question. If anything, it leaned harder into realism, for the most part. For ‘Náá’tsoh (Big Eyes)’ made it clear early on, that Bernadette’s journey likely will involve a trafficking case. Since the man responsible for stealing her gun, was put to death by a silent and smooth assassin and after he was out of the way, Bernadatte managed to figure out that what that young girl drew, was a symbol for a nearby ranch. Ted Spenser’s (played brilliantly by Bruce Greenwood) ranch to be specific. Which was where the van was hiding and that prompted an impromptu look at his property, which got Bernadette in a whole heap of trouble. Because Spenser also happened to be an oil baron. So naturally, he flexed his power and managed to get Bernadette assigned to weigh station duty, wherein she would see his trucks day in and day out. A move that left her quite unhappy, to the point where she reached out to Joe for advice, and spent a little time chatting with Jim Chee instead, about their connection. In silence, it seemed, but what they share… loaded the silence with words for us. But truly, the fact that the muscle was present on one of the oil runs, and watched her closely while she looked for signs of trafficking, made it clear that Bernadette’s story will be light on the spiritual, and heavy on the greatest monster of all, humanity.  Jessica Matten as Agent Bernadette Manuelito in Episode 302 of ‘Dark Winds’ – ‘Náá’tsoh (Big Eyes)’. (Photo Courtesy of Michael Moriatis/AMC.)
Not to mention, Joe’s story really did not offer up anything spiritual either, at first. After all, it became clear quickly that nothing sacred was broken in the murder of that boy. Simply because, the arrow found in his mouth was a reproduction. One designed to perhaps throw everyone off the trail. So, Joe and Jim settled into finding clues and finding the other boy. Which led to intimate moments that showed us how the death of his son still haunts Joe to this day, despite finding some peace regarding it. Which he may never find with Agent Washington, around. For she was still asking questions about BJ Vines’ disappearance from this life, and we saw more of Chee’s struggles with his own past. Oddly though, those paid off.
Simply because he used those connections and that fury to press for results on finding the kid, and what really happened that night. Which brought about search warrants, cross agency involvement and a long trek up to a cabin to find the young man that was hiding. But alas, upon arrival… something stunning happened, and a journey that seemed grounded in cruelty became supremely mystical in nature. For while Joe Leaphorn was doing his best to find the kid, something dark and hideous struck. For that monstrous being that was haunting him and hunting in the season three cold open, was present in the cabin and it struck true and badly wounded Joe. Making it clear that there is something evil in this land, something that has its sights set on Joe and that sets the stage for a vastly different kind of season. One where we get the best of both worlds perhaps. Since Bernadette’s story will see her tackle Ted and whatever dark acts, he is up to and remind us of the cruelty that men are capable of, especially well-off gents that lose touch of their humanity and see people as products and profit. While Joe’s journey will showcase the mysticism of the Navajo people and perhaps explore the possibility, that there are things in this world we cannot explain. Which are plots that are quite reflective of our world. Since there are so many that ponder upon what exists in the shadows, despite what science tells us and there are plenty of rich dudes causing trouble, and that will make the wait for next week’s episode quite painful, as we impatiently await answers and explanations from one of the best mysteries out there. Until next time. Watch ‘Dark Winds’
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