User reviews

Well written, well acted, well paced. Two episodes in and I'm hooked. So far there are three plots to follow - the murders of two reservation residents, a high-profile armored car robbery using a helicopter, and a possible conspiracy to blow up a mining operation. And then there's spooky stuff... It sounds like a lot going on, but because the writing is so good, it's very easy to follow the various intersecting plot lines.

The characters are quite appealing - I credit the fine acting for that - consequently you get invested in the show very quickly. The show doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the overt and systematic racism faced by Native Americans in the 1970's (not to suggest it's strictly a thing of the past), but so far it's not falling into the trap of portraying the native people as 'noble savages,' either.

This is simply good drama, and the fact that it's set on a Navajo reservation just enhances the drama rather than over-relying on it or using it as a shtick. I like this show and I think if you give it a try, you'll be hooked, too.

This show is as good as advertised. I've never heard of the books so I had no expectations going in so I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. Zahn McClarnon has been good in just about everything he's ever been in but he's finally given a chance to be a lead and he excels at it. Kiowa Gordon is an unknown actor who also does an excellent job and should have plenty of opportunities and a bright career after this. The rest of the cast (Noah Emmerich, Rainn Wilson, Jessica Matten, etc) all hold there own here too. There are not many shows built around Native Americans so I'm glad this one didn't flame out and disappoint.

I just finished the first season of Dark Winds and have to say it was so much better than I expected it to be. I'm not it's one of my favorite shows, not even close, but it's definitely worth watching. It does start a little slow, I don't mind a slow burner but even I almost gave up early but stayed with it and it just got better and better with each episode to the point I binged all six episodes of the first season in a weekend. Six episodes was perfect for a show like this, it could possibly go to eight but I like six. The writing and acting is what makes this show so good. It looks like most people who stuck with it really enjoyed it and the people who didn't gave up after the first episode. Stick with it, you won't be disappointed. It did well enough to be picked up for another season so I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Although I'm an Australian living here in Australia, I have a huge passion for the USA and the Navajo Indians. We travel there almost every year. Firstly I read all Longmire Books, then loved the Longmire series. After reading all the Tony Hillerman ones, I love this series as well. Just as expected. Zahn McClaron is an amazing actor, as usual, and the Dark Wind Series with so many gorgeous talented Navajos, I'm in love with it. So glad they did this series.

When I saw in the opening credits that Robert Redford and George RR Martin were executive producers, I knew this would be a good series. The lead cast are very good and the script is believable, the plot is interesting and the dialog is good. The setting is the Navajo Nation in the 1970s and their tribal police. The contrast in cultures, science versus tribal superstitions and the remote and vast reservation all add to the great story.

Can't wait for the next episode. This brings back So much, as I lived on the Navajo Reservation (near Shiprock) in a log cabin during the same time frame. I turned 21 there, & it was another world entirely. This show is really bring int all back. And McClarnon - so good It better be continuing on into another _. LONGER-season !

Now that it is done - I restate, very emphatically - it had BETTER have a 2cnd, LONGER season.

Loved these characters and the settings, but the show took a deep dive into the rather pedestrian wrap up. I was disappointed that the writing couldn't support the characters at the end of the season. The actors were all terrific and are to be lauded, the writing ... not so much.

I liked this so much, I couldn't stop watching it, I Binged watched it all. I kept forgetting that it took place in the 70's and not a computer, cell phone, modern vehicle in sight. It did not take feel like it was in the 70's either. AMC is doing great things non stop. They take their time and get the job done unlike Netflix.

An interesting and entertaining series that was definitely worth the watch. Love the rich cinematography and western vibes. Characters are well cast and very well acted.

I enjoy Hillermans work and have learnt a lot about Navaho culture and conversely about my own reading his books...

Leaphorn and Chee are a solid addition to the crime genre and the first episode portrays them well.

The stories I have enjoyed on the page are brought to life delightfully. The most immediate impression is of space and silence and Dark Winds does this expansively.

Set in the 70s, an alien landscape (but recogniable from so many films) following the lives of people who live there.

Story (not canon but ok) builds nicely, the characters are strong and an awesome cast who fill aforementioned landscape with well sculptured theatre.

And quiet.

I have really respected Zahn McClarnan's work in the past and looked forward to this version. Acting was good but the script and concept is so far from Tony Hillerman's (and later Anne Hillerman's) vision that I elected not to pursue future episodes.

I admit that I am old and well steeped in the Leaphorn and Chee tradition from the excellent novels and the Robert Redford PBS American Masterpiece programs so this version- which discards the most basic elements in favor of superficial oh so predictable plot progression and politically correct characters that this is thin gruel indeed.

Joe Leaphorn is NOT Joe Leaphorn. Bernie is NOT Bernie. And Jim Chee is from another universe altogether. It could be that everything was changed to make the series more palatable to a younger audience which has not experienced the richness of the novels from Tony Hillerman and continued by his daughter Anne, but there is no there, there and Jim Chee is NOT Jim Chee- not even close.

Maybe as a stand alone with new names for the characters it might work, but it plods and skims along the surface of something that has great potential to tell a great story.

I hope that those new to the Lephorn Chee Manuelito canon might take the time to read or listen to the books as written by the Hillermans, both father and daughter there is much to be drawn from them and, in my opinion, provide a much greater return for the time invested.

This show is based on a series of Tony Hillerman novels that focus on Navajo Police activities in the early 70s. I'm five episodes in and enjoying the ride.

I really don't understand why film makers need to screw up a perfectly fantastic story to make a movie. Almost everything in the series is totally inaccurate. Joe Leaphorn never had a son. Jim Chee NEVER worked for the FBI. They portray Jim Chee as someone who knows nothing about the Navajo culture. This is so freaking far from the truth, that I truly wonder WTF were the screenwriters thinking. It's an excellent book and I just can't wrap my head around as too why they would screw everything up so badly. I'm sure that at this point poor Tony Hillerman is rolling in his grave, knowing that this monstrosity of a picture is out there.

Dark Winds is in a perfect spot with AMC, which continues to show content that people once went to the movies to see. I think Actor Zahn McClarnon is one actor who always knows how to play it cool but wise. McClarnon and the rest of the ensemble are a great match-up. The showrunners (so far) are doing a great job getting me to connect with the characters through their stories. It feels like it's going to be a great series, and my curiosity is piqued, I honestly can't wait to see what happens next.

As always, if you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you watch this series, let me know what you think.

Keep it interesting, Stay Channel Surfing!

Damian at TalkTeaV.

So I have AMC+ and have seen the first 2 episodes and it just gets better and better. It's part mystery, thriller, dark humor, and drama- a bit of everything with wonderful acting. I absolutely love Zach McClarnon in everything I've seen him in, the series Fargo, Reservation Dogs, Westword, can't recall what else, but the guy has range and I can't wait for him to have an Academy type role, he is due.

Noah Emmerich from the Americans plays a self-important FBI agent, Rainn Wilson plays a used car salesman and another sleezy part in the story I'm sure, lol. Every character is interesting.

This 6 part series is executive produced by George RR Martin and Robert Redford, so you know it's gonna be a great story. I can't wait to see where it goes!

Familiar with the source material. I think the series overall is going to be called Dark Winds. This intro(first season) is loosely based on another book called The Listening Woman. It seems to be confusing some, as another book is called The Dark Wind. The acting is excellent. You have a lawman who straddles the fence between modern investigation and lore. You have another law person who will pull over and start rituals! Yet another knows the lore well, but so far disbelieves. It's not going to be Night Stalker set on an Indian Reservation if you think that's where it's going.

Loving it already after one episode. No familiarity with the book(s) so nothing is "spoiled" for me. I thought Zahn was a standout in Longmire and I'm glad to see a reprise of sorts here.

I really hate when they change the character's origin stories or write the women to he badasses before that happens in the stories. It's disrespectful to the original work. I can hear Tony Hillerman rolling in his grave.

If you're not a big fan of the books or you don't mind bad adaptations, it's a good show. I'm on episode three and am fighting the super fan in me. I've read the books over and over so the massive changes are making me nuts. But I'm determined to get over it.

A bank is robbed and a double murder is committed of a Listening Woman/healer and her granddaughter. Are they related somehow? There are a lot of plot threads to follow and I'm not sure where they're all going yet.

Dark Winds is an exceptional TV series that masterfully blends elements of noir, thriller, and even sci-fi, creating a gripping and immersive experience. Set in 1971 on the Navajo Nation, the show follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his deputy, Jim Chee, as they navigate a series of complex and interconnected crimes. The storytelling is top-notch, with each episode unraveling layers of mystery and character depth.

The cast delivers outstanding performances, particularly Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, whose portrayal of a man haunted by his past is both powerful and nuanced. The chemistry between Kiowa Gordon (Jim Chee) and Jessica Matten (Bernadette Manuelito) adds a heartfelt dimension to the series, providing moments of warmth amidst the tension.

Overall, Dark Winds is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and anyone looking for a series that combines thrilling plots with rich cultural storytelling. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed the series; the Navajo angle was refreshing. Good acting and chemistry. The story kept me looking forward for the next episode. I think the black magic aspect was a distraction and totally unnecessary. I had the beginning and middle episodes rated a 9 but by the ending it was down to a 5, hence my 7 rating. The writers ran out of ideas for the final terrible episode, and it brought down the series.

Zahn McClarnon is an absolute treasure. One of the finest actors in TV or movies we have right now. This show is worth watching just to see him finely work his craft. The period piece is even more immersive being it's setting in mostly tribal lands. Combining gorgeous natural scenery along with Native American culture brings you and the show to a special place. The subtext of spiritual forces adds yet another layer of mystery to a show that brims with it. I will be hoping that AMC brings this show back for many more years. Hopefully this show will garner the support necessary to be able to warrant this.

A show that starts out strong and interesting, and then by the end of season 1, caves in on itself with cliches and poor writing. Even the acting kind of rolls into boring territory by the time this wraps up. Thats too bad, considering the potential. A missed opportunity.

Set in 1971, the story revolves around the three Tribal Police officers, Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee(Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten). Primarily we have two storylines going simultaneously. First, the investigation of a double murder of a young girl and an old man and the second one where the FBI is in search of the culprits behind a big heist and suspects that it's linked to a native American activist group.

It's quite intriguing how the show creates this dependency of both these departments on each other and how they constantly try to leverage the situation for their own good. The show successfully holds the suspense and keeps the tension high at times. It does a very good job of developing most of the characters and bringing distinctive personality traits out of them. Seeing the native American actors in the major roles makes it more believable and authentic. Another likeable aspect of this show is the representation of the Navajo cultural beliefs and traditions. I always find it interesting when a show tries something like this. Not very often but we do see the characters speaking in their native language which I personally liked. The supernatural aspect of the story does add an additional layer to the show although I found it a little overdone. The show never exactly dwells much into that subplot either until the finale. The moments of grief and self-realisation are handled effectively and one such specific moment does make us emotional.

The show lacks strong cliffhanger moments towards the end of each episode. It definitely gives True Detective vibes (one of the greatest crime investigation shows) but due to some minor issues never reaches that height. The activist organisation and events associated with them were not developed properly, especially their backstory and I found the end twist a little underwhelming. The finale turns out to be the shortest episode of the season and I expected more action and thrill from it. There are few subplots that never get an ending. Maybe they will continue them in the next season. These are the few things that in my opinion could have been improved.

Conclusion: As someone who craves crime shows and movies, Dark Winds definitely serves its purpose as an intriguing and well-made crime drama. The show handles the suspense, action and emotions in a balanced way. The cast performs extremely well. The Navajo traditions are the key highlight of the show. There are a few things that could have been done differently but none is a potential threat to our enjoyment. I enjoyed watching the 'Dark Winds' a lot.

Rating: 8.0/10

It would be interesting to see what a native American thinks of the show. If you have read the books, do you still find this show interesting or it was a disappointment for you?

Whatever your thoughts on this show, share them with me. You can find me on Instagram and Letterboxd: m_movie_reviews

BOOK VS SHOW Since I haven't read any of the books, I went online to find out how similar or different this show is from the books. I'll share a few important aspects of the show that are different from the books. The show didn't pick any specific plot from one book. It borrows different subplots from different books and combines them to create its own storyline. The personality traits of Leaphorn and Jim Chee have been interchanged. Manuelito is senior to Chee in the show and is a pre-established character in the show's timeline whereas the books do not introduce the character until 1996's "The Fallen Man."