Dark Winds

I'm going to switch from Angel shows and talk about a series we enjoy that streams on AMC Plus. It's called Dark Winds. Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his associates from the Navajo Tribal police in the 1970s. 

The show is now in its fourth season on AMC Plus. This isn't your typical binge series--unless you are catching up from the beginning.  Each new episode airs on Sunday on the streaming service. 

I enjoy Dark Winds because it gives a view into a different culture in a time I don't remember (I was born in the 70s). Each episode is given a title in Diné (the Navajo native language) that is translated into English. You hear Diné throughout the series, but you see the English translation. 

For the first two seasons, the action of the show is limited to the Navajo Reservation. The third and fourth seasons branch out beyond the rez, but a portion of the action is still predominantly centered around the people and life on the reservation.

Lieutenant Leaphorn leads his deputies as they try to solve the cases that land on their doorstep. Like any drama series, the characters have their own quirks and secrets. Seemingly content lives can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Joe Leaphorn has secrets of his own that may end up costing him the life he holds so dear. 

This is a fascinating detective series for those who, like me, enjoy well-developed story lines that don't resolve in a single episode. The glimpse into the life of the Navajo in the 70s is both fascinating and eye-opening. The series was initially developed by George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford which gives you an indication of the level of dramatic quality you can expect.  

We are given glimpses into festivals, traditions, and daily life of the Navajo people as well as a peep at the discrimination these people experience. I say a peep for two main reasons. One, this is a television show, so they show us a dramatized version of what they see as truth. Two, we can't truly understand what anyone experiences without having the same experiences. 

If you are a history buff and a mystery/detective series fan like me, I would like to suggest Dark Winds as a show to add to your list of watches. Should you decide to give it a try, I'd love to hear what you think of it.