Dark Winds Draws New Border Lines

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Warning: Plot details from the third season finale of “Dark Winds,” titled “Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse),” which aired on AMC on Sunday, April 27, are disclosed below.

In the third season, the series “Dark Winds” expanded in scope, both storywise and geographically. Unlike the initial two seasons which primarily focused on the Navajo reservation and the investigations of crimes and mysteries led by Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), Navajo Police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), her mentor, and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), her colleague and romantic interest, this season broadened its horizons. Issues of human and drug trafficking at the Mexican border became a significant aspect of the narrative; characters disregarded boundaries and ventured to Mexico for investigations; an episode delved into Leaphorn’s past. These elements all contributed to one of “Dark Winds” recurring themes since its debut: the exploration of what constitutes “justice,” and how Native individuals can seek it in a world where they so often face limitations.

In the season finale of “Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)”, Leaphorn’s question is answered, retaining his mischievous personality despite consequences such as losing his marriage over avenging the murder of his son by B.J. Vines, a businessman. The series provides a more intricate response to its future ideological leanings through the character of Bernadette.

“Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)” brings Bernadette from Hachita, New Mexico, back to her Navajo reservation home. This return serves as the series’ strongest argument for Indigenous separatism, a concept that was initially rejected but now is presented as the most honorable choice for Native people in a world dominated by white power.

In the series “Dark Winds”, Leaphorn, Chee, and Bernadette are portrayed as representing various shades of traditional Native views, ranging from conservative to radical. Their backgrounds, including military service, religious beliefs, and adherence to tribal customs, influence their positions on this spectrum. Among the three, Bernadette is depicted as the most rule-bound character, which might also be interpreted as a certain narrow-mindedness. This rigidity is accentuated in “Dark Winds” when it comes to matters of duty or service, such as in season two, where a Native teenager’s concerns about being drafted for Vietnam are dismissed by Bernadette. Instead, she insists on the idea that it’s their obligation to serve when called upon, even if the country doesn’t acknowledge them as Americans.

Bernadette leans more towards embracing her American identity compared to Leaphorn or Chee, which led her in the final season two to seek employment with the U.S. Border Patrol instead of the Navajo Police. This choice, she believed, would provide a level playing field, offering her more authority and credibility than she could achieve within the tribal police force. (The show previously showed that this didn’t work out for Chee, who left the FBI due to feelings of being tokenized, but now it is Bernadette’s turn to discover this.) Her decision is portrayed as a commendable one, symbolizing her quest for self-determination, even though Joe may not fully grasp it. By safeguarding the U.S. border, she aims to preserve order that resonates with her law enforcement principles, and since Congress has enacted a law to recruit Native officers for the Border Patrol, she anticipates working alongside individuals who share similar cultural backgrounds and values.

It’s refreshing that the series Dark Winds doesn’t follow typical patterns or take a straightforward approach to representation. Instead, it challenges many of Bernadette’s preconceived notions throughout the season. For example, she initially believes that working the border is an honorable act, but this assumption is shattered as she uncovers corruption within the system. She also assumes that a federal position will grant her more authority, which proves to be false. Furthermore, she thinks that all Native people share the same opinions and goals, but this is also debunked throughout the storyline.

Bernadette’s bust of a Mexican mother and daughter crossing into the country makes her question whether she truly deserves the title of hero. Her white boss, Ed Henry (Terry Serpico), who holds a senior position in the Border Patrol, is involved in drug trafficking and kidnapping across the border, collaborating with white ranch owner Tom Spenser (Bruce Greenwood).

Two Native co-workers that Bernadette trusted turn out to be part of the scheme. Her female agent roommate and landlord Eleanda Garza (Tonantzin Carmelo) pulls a gun on her and leaves her for dead, while her romantic interest Ivan Muños (Alex Meraz), whom she believes seduced her at Henry’s command, is also implicated in the corruption.

In the series Dark Winds, we’re not provided with an explanation as to why Eleanda and Ivan turned to criminal activities, leaving their motivations somewhat vague. It’s possible they valued money over lawfulness; perhaps this is their unique way of defying the system. However, what truly stands out in the show isn’t their backstory but the pattern it sets. Characters like Eleanda and Ivan serve to portray the corrupt side of the U.S. government and its associates who seem immune to consequences. As the series delves into the contrast between “white man’s justice” and “Indigenous justice,” it becomes evident that most white characters represent a world determined to undermine or dominate Native American life. Figures such as businessmen like Vines and Spenser, government employees Henry and FBI agent Sylvia Washington (Jenna Elfman), a priest who abused Joe’s cousin, an archaeology professor who kills a Navajo teen for his flawed theories about Navajo history – all view Indigenous culture as a resource or opportunity instead of something to be respected in its own right. Eleanda and Ivan appear to be the outcome of this influence, having spent too much time in non-Native environments and losing their identities.

In the closing scene of “Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)”, Bernadette makes a significant decision by betraying Henry and Eleanda to U.S. Border Patrol, then leaving her job with them to rejoin the Navajo Police. This isn’t merely a return to familiar surroundings but a rejection of her former belief that the U.S. government could offer the validation she seeks. Instead, Bernadette finds what she needs on the reservation, where the unique “Indian justice” system and tight-knit community provide solace.

This narrative mirrors two other shows from the previous year, namely “True Detective: Night Country” and “Under the Bridge”, which both featured Native female detectives stepping away from their roles. Kali Reis’s Trooper Evangeline Navarro in “True Detective: Night Country” and Lily Gladstone’s Officer Cam Bentland in “Under the Bridge” were both used to demonstrate concern for missing and murdered girls and women of color by their departments, but neither was given the freedom to investigate as they desired. In the final episodes, both characters resigned out of frustration over being treated like diversity hires and mere pawns.

While “Dark Winds” doesn’t follow this exact path – Bernadette only leaves Border Patrol, not policing entirely – it does share with these series a fascination with the consequences of obeying orders versus defying them, particularly for women who invested so much hope in jobs they believed would improve the world. The season finale for Bernadette may have curtailed her personal aspirations, but it strengthens her faith in Native self-governance, even fostering a sense of isolationism, setting the stage for intriguing developments in the potential fourth season.

It’s uncertain how Bernadette’s new understanding will influence her future political views – let’s hope our character finally understands the Vietnam War is a mistake! However, the plot twist in Dark Winds is intriguing, considering that in its initial season, the main antagonists were a separatist Native group called the Buffalo Society. At the time, the series portrayed them negatively as “bad Indians causing trouble.” But as the story progressed, it appears to have softened this stance. The Buffalo Society was proven right about white men being responsible for the mining explosion and about America’s harmful imperialistic and capitalist culture affecting the Navajo. By acknowledging their valid concerns but also introducing characters like Eleanda and Ivan, Dark Winds provides a more nuanced portrayal of Native politics beyond what we know through Leaphorn, Chee, and Bernadette. As Leaphorn told Bernadette in season two, “We have boundaries here,” and the show seems to be leaning towards suggesting that these boundaries are best used to keep whites out. Now that Bernadette is back, we’re curious about how far she’s willing to go to protect it.

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2025-04-28 20:54