Dark Winds Season 4 Review: Zahn McClarnon Leads a Haunting, High-Stakes Noir
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
In its exciting fourth season, "Dark Winds" continues to blend traditional crime with emotional depth, genuine cultural representation, and a unique visual style that will carry momentum into its recently announced fifth season.
Zahn McClarnon returns as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, leading the tribal police force in Navajo County in AMC and AMC+'s popular 1970s Western noir series. Hailed for its portrayals of Navajo history, traditions, and spirituality, the fourth season premiered on February 15 and will release new episodes weekly, through the season finale on April 5.
Joe can't catch a break. When we last saw him in season 3, he was struggling with a significant amount of personal guilt, which led to a spiritual crisis as he investigated the disappearance of two boys and the ruthless "monster killer." McClarnon had never been better in the critically acclaimed season, which saw the veteran actor, who also serves as executive producer, deliver some of his best work to date as Joe's marriage reached a breaking point in the emotionally charged and gut-wrenching season.
Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman, the series is created by Graham Roland and produced by the late Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin. "Dark Winds" continues to be regarded as one of the best dramas on television, and with good reason. Currently boasting an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score for each of its first three seasons, unlike typical procedurals, each season tells a tightly woven, serialized mystery with genuine emotional stakes.
The gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee (Gordon), and Manuelito (Matten) from the safety of the Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.
McClarnon will make his directing debut in tonight's episode, "Bikéé' Doo Éédahoozįįdę́ę́góó (Toward Their Unknown Paths)" as Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito uncover new clues to the missing girl's whereabouts in the wake of a deadly shooting. Tonight's episode is one of the best of the entire season, and without giving anything away, you'll definitely need to tune in to find out why!
This season has an exciting list of Guest stars that includes Linda Hamilton as Barbara Sena, Franka Potente as Irene Vaggan; Isabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie; Chaske Spencer as Sonny; Luke Barnett as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw; Titus Welliver as Dominic McNair; and A. Martinez as Scarborough Police Department Acting Chief Gordo Sena.
The slow-burn pacing continues in Season 4, anchored by nuanced performances from McClarnon, who continues to play Joe with restrained gravitas. This season, both Chee and Manuelito experience significant character development as they confront personal conflict stemming from a decision Joe makes early in the season. The tension builds to an exciting finale, heightening the emotional stakes and setting the stage for Joe's next case, which promises to be even more personal as the story unfolds in Season 5.
Season 4, episode 2 of Dark Winds drops tonight at 9 pm EST. Catch up on the first three seasons on AMC+ and via The AMC Collection on Netflix.
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