Spoilers for the Season Three Finale of ‘Dark Winds’: The Strength of Womens’ Anger and Love

Christopher Heyerdahl must have a clause in his contract with the universe to always play The Bad Guy. Or he’s been The Bad Guy enough times that when they introduced his character in this season of Dark Winds I knew immediately that he was suspect. And I was right! Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) spent all season chasing the specter of Ye’iitsoh, but it turned out to be Heyerdahl’s archaeologist, Dr. Reynolds, trying to cover up the crime of faking evidence that linked the Folsom and Navajo peoples at his dig site.

The main plot of the season was Leaphorn’s quest to solve Ernesto Cata’s murder and find George Bowlegs while he battled off the FBI inquiry into the death of BJ Vines. Spiritually, he was reckoning with how meting out Navajo Justice for his son’s death had tied Vines’ spirit to his own. It caused his visions and dreams and the dissolution of his 24-year marriage to Emma (Deanna Taushi Allison). And, at the end of the finale, during the showdown on the train with Dr. Reynolds, we are left wondering if Joe hesitates to shoot him because he doesn’t want the blood of another white man on his hands while the FBI is still nosing around. Or if it’s because he doesn’t want to have another angry spirit tied to him.

Joe’s internal and external journey is the heart of season three. But a lot of the action that drives the season falls on Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) and Emma Leaphorn. We learn from them that the women of the reservation should never be underestimated.

Manuelito, working as a border agent, uncovered a drug and human trafficking ring tied to a wealthy, white rancher, played by Bruce Greenwood. She’s determined to bring him and his accomplices down, even when it turns out that there’s a significant number of border patrol agents from her office involved and on the take.

They thought she could be silenced and cowed into submission. They thought it would be easy to distract her with a handsome love interest, Ivan (The Twilight Saga’s Alex Meraz), and that it would be easy to get rid of her once she got too close to the truth. But Bernadette is stronger, smarter, and braver than anyone gave her credit for. While the wealthy rancher escaped justice, she brought down the trafficking ring and returned to possibly maybe rekindle the romance with Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) that she left behind at the end of season two. Who can say what will happen with those crazy kids in season four. But come-hither looks were definitely exchanged.

Emma Leaphorn had a compelling story arc this season that put her in the middle of everything when we truly began to understand the silent suffering she had endured since the death of her and Joe’s son. When Joe revealed to her that he did kill BJ Vines, he believed she would understand why he did it and support him. He was not expecting the anger that boiled up out of her. And he did not expect her to cooperate with the FBI agent (Jenna Elfman) who had come to town to investigate.

In turn, Agent Washington expected Emma to roll over on her husband, never fully understanding that the bond between Emma and Joe transcends their marriage. They are each other’s community, sharing tribal bonds that will never be broken by white people’s laws. Even though Emma ultimately leaves Joe, she never betrays him. And, while her departure is heartbreaking, it is also hopeful. She wants to forgive Joe for making her relive their son’s death and for being consumed with revenge. She’s not sure how or when that forgiveness will come to her heart, though.

It was a strong third season. The exploration of Leaphorn and Emma’s marriage and Manuelito’s time away from the Navajo Tribal Police gave us a lot of insight into their characters and the actors’ depths. Deanna Taushi Allison’s monologue about how much Emma and Joe’s son’s death had affected her and their marriage was so powerful that they gave it to us twice. Once when she was being interviewed by Agent Washington, and again when Joe listened to the recording of the interview after he was left alone by Emma and Agent Washington.

The relationships in Dark Winds are up in the air for season four. But, just as you shouldn’t underestimate a woman’s anger as a driving force, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of their love or the power of forgiveness once it’s earned. In the upcoming season, Joe and Jim will both have a chance to prove they’re worth the powerful women in their lives.

All episodes of Dark Winds are now streaming on AMC+