Dark Winds – Season 2 (2023) AMC Plus Series Review

Series Review: Dark Winds (Season 2)

It hasn’t been that long since the first season of the AMC+ series *Dark Winds* came out, and now the second season has arrived. This season is more dangerous and tense. So, are you going to be watching?

Navajo tribal policeman Joe Leaphorn investigates a murder that could have personal connections and ties to the community. Zahn McClarnon returns as Joe Leaphorn, and as I said before, this season felt more energetic, suspenseful, and perilous than the first season, even though that first one did have its moments.

The Mystery and the Stakes

There’s a murder that happens to one of the tribe’s people, leading both the outside police and the Tribal Police to investigate. But before the show gets to that, the season opens with a very intense sequence that immediately lets us know that the stakes have been raised, and we could be in for a wild, mysterious ride.

In addition to McClarnon, several others return from the first season, including Jessica Matten, Kiowa Gordon, Deanna Allison, and Elva Guerra. There are also some new additions like A Martinez, Jeri Ryan, and Nicholas Logan. The show continues to shine as it shows life on the Navajo reservation and dives into some real issues. Along with the mystery, there’s a secondary storyline that focuses on births and just horrible actions that state hospitals were taking against Indigenous women. This is a very powerful commentary that’s highlighted, and while it’s not preachy or in your face, it is incredibly emotional and heartbreaking.

Within the main story arc, Leaphorn is investigating the murder, and Chee is working as a PI for a client. That’s when their paths cross, and this allows for some really good tension between Chee and Bernadette as they have to work through the awkwardness of being former law enforcement partners as well as friends—maybe even more.

Action, Landscapes, and Morality

The villain for this season is brutal and ruthless, and that makes the chase exciting and sometimes leads to action filled sequences that are high with adrenaline as well as danger. I love how the landscapes and the terrains are used in this. For several of the episodes, the wilderness becomes an antagonistic character needing to be overcome by all of the characters; it’s a deadly adversary, and I thought those scenes translated well. The camerawork helps to put us up close with our characters, allowing us to intimately see their hurt or fury.

Through one of the plotlines, moral dilemmas come into play, making characters choose whether they will do what’s right by the law, do what’s right by justice, or if they’ll follow their rage and give in to their vengeful desire. I was riveted during so much of this season. Not all of it is filled with action or even quick paced drama. There’s a certain meandering pace that this takes, embracing some of the Western genre feel while also being infused with a crime thriller.

Character Depth and Indigenous Representation

I enjoyed how emotional this season got. There are some big reveals for Leaphorn that even carry over from the first season, and they create engaging scenarios and conversations. The turmoil that he faces is complex and nuanced—he’s got to balance being a police officer, a husband, a father, and a leader in his community, and then reconcile some of his desires with what he has to do and uphold as an officer.

Something else I really appreciated in this show—and it’s something I’ve also enjoyed in *Reservation Dogs*—is that the Indigenous customs and beliefs are shown to us and they’re even explained, so that we can get an understanding and appreciation for the way of life. It’s also awesome that Indigenous people are in the cast, not just having a bunch of white people portray them.

Style, Flaws, and 1970s Aesthetics

Now, the season isn’t perfect. I mean, there are some slow spots and even portions that feel more drawn out than maybe they should be. I liked Jeri Ryan in this season, but some of her inclusion didn’t feel as pertinent, especially towards the latter half of the show.

There’s something with the filming in a couple of the episodes that I’m still not sure where I land on. The scenes are in black and white, and at first I thought maybe they were flashbacks, but within these, only certain colors are illuminated—like in one, it’s just the blues, and everything else is in grayscale. Another used red as the highlight color. Now, that sequence *was* a flashback, and the red is very visceral. The technique looked good, but it also wasn’t used consistently, so I’m still having a bit of trouble determining if it’s a gimmick or a powerful storytelling mechanic.

Just like with Season 1, this is going to be a weekly release. If you have AMC+, you will get to see the episodes a few days before they air on the regular AMC channel. I think this go around, the story is more engaging and exciting, so watching week to week will give you something to look forward to. But if you do decide to wait and binge it all, you’re in for a great string of storytelling.

Something else I like in this series both seasons included is the sets and the costume design. Because this takes place in the early ’70s, we’ve got period appropriate clothing and cars. I mean, you know, the clothing complete with large collars and those polyester suits. The suits are indeed hideous, but that was the ’70s! So it’s really fun to watch the characters, especially Chee, try out the styles, and it’s even better to watch the reactions and the ribbings that come from his friends.

Final Verdict

I’m not sure if there’s going to be a third season. The story we follow here is completely wrapped up with a good resolution. There are also character decisions that will impact future seasons if they do go forward, but if it doesn’t, the show ends on a very satisfying note, providing closure to a lot and allowing us to have hope for the future for a couple of the characters. If you enjoyed the first season, I think you’re gonna like this one even more. The intensity, drama, emotion, and peril have all been amped up, creating moving and thrilling sequences as well as touching storylines that are rich with meaning.

Overall, Season 2 of *Dark Winds* delivers another exciting crime thriller with the Navajo reservation as its backdrop. Zahn McClarnon continues to bring passion and ferocity to his quiet character, this time wrestling with palpable moral dilemmas that test his mettle. The settings are both harrowing and beautiful, complementing the dangerous mystery through beautifully captured, treacherous terrains. And kudos to the writers for including a story arc that both condemns and draws light on the atrocities that were carried out by state hospitals on unwitting mothers of the reservation. This show continues to amaze and captivate, with this season improving over the last to bring a powerful drama to the screen.

Rating: I give Season 2 of Dark Winds 4 out of 5 couches.

So, were you a fan of the first season? Do you have a favorite character? I really like Bernadette because of her snark and her attitude. Let me know yours in the comments below!