Dark Winds: Is This Cop Drama Great?

Dark Winds (Season 1/2022) series focuses on two (too) good Native American cops. Set in the 1970s Southwest region of North America, this cop drama focuses on the cases of the Navajo Tribal police. Notably, the murder investigation case was carried out by the two Navajo Tribal police officers in this show.

While chasing the elusive murderers, these two indigenous police officials (Joe Leaphorn & Jim Chee) are forced to confront their belief system. Thus this mysterious case challenged their spiritual beliefs when they investigated murder cases.

When Too Good Native American Cops Hunt For Criminals…

Spoiler-Free Review: Dark Winds (Season 1/USA/2022) Series

The synopsis and the introduction

Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, it follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past. 

He is joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon). Chee, too, has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation. Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their demons on the path to salvation.

Over the years, we have seen a few Native American stories in the Hollywood industry. Windtalkers (2002) was one of those movies. In that 2002 film, set during the Second World War, the Native speakers of the Navajo language conveyed vital military information over the open air in their obscure indigenous language that the Japanese could not decode. Thus Navajo contributed to the successful outcome of the Second World War. That movie has stars like Nicolas Cage and Adam Beach. Now, once again, we came across this well-made crime drama about the indigenous Navajo community.

About this Native American Cop Drama & Crime Thriller

This neo-Western drama introduces the elements of Navajo tribe mysticism. Plus, this psychological crime thriller maintains a sense of drama. It also touches upon the sensitive political and social issues of Indigenous people.

For instance, the forced sterilization of Indigenous Native American women in the USA, that we have read about.

American Doctors began sterilizing indigenous women in the 1930s and grew at a faster rate in the 1970s when Congress passed the Family Planning Services Act, which subsidized said sterilizations for Medicaid and Indian Health Service patients. The rationale for these procedures was centered around fears of global overpopulation and increases in welfare spending which would put an undue strain on the budget of the local community and the Federal Treasury.

WXXI News

The Dark Winds series is based on the Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman.

A talented actors from the Native American community

Interestingly, Joe Leaphorn – played by actor Zahn McClarnon is half Hunkpapa Lakota. His partner Jim Chee – played by actor Kiowa Gordon is half Hualapai. Neither the Lakota nor the Hualapai tribes are ethnically or linguistically remotely related to the Navajo tribe. Also, Bernadette Manuelito – the actress Jessica Mattenred plays the third Native American police officer. She traces her roots to the Red River Metis-Cree tribe. However, it must be reiterated that all three actors are good. No doubt that they have done commendable acting jobs in the show.

It is heartening to note that these days, the usually ignored and invisible Native American people are getting long-overdue recognition in the Hollywood entertainment industry. We hope to see more of their stories.

The conclusion

We like this new positive development, as indigenous native people can tell their stories to the world. Nowadays, we are witnessing a course correction and inclusion of Native American tales in mainstream movies/series, and such steps are praiseworthy. So, we repeat that we highly recommend this crime series set in the 1960s-1970s era in the Native American land. Plus, you get to learn about the mysterious world of indigenous Native American society and the various issues that affect their native tribal society.

This Native American cop drama is a great step towards the retelling of the indigenous stories. We think this crime mystery series, with only six episodes in season one, is perfect for marathon (binge) watching on any given day. So, go ahead and follow the Dark Winds. We loved the show.

Rating: Dark Winds (Season 1/USA/2022) Series

Poster: Dark Winds (Season 1/USA/2022) Series

Key Details: Dark Winds (Season 1/USA/2022) Series

Trailer: Dark Winds (Season 1/USA/2022) Series

Break the Stereotypes | Dark Winds | New Episodes Sundays | AMC+ | YouTube.

Spoiler Alert: 6 Episodes Summary of the Season 1

If you like the Native American series, then perhaps you can check out the Reservation Dogs series and the second season of the Dark Winds (S2/2023) series in our Focus Magazine, too. 

Featured & Other Images: Dark Winds | AMC.