Unveiling the Enchanting Era of Dark Winds – Inside AMC's Time-Traveling Masterpiece

Summary

Dark Winds sets itself apart from conventional police procedural tropes by delving deeper into the psychological and moral conflicts faced by its main characters, reminiscent of beloved crime dramas like True Detective.

The show is a significant leap in achieving better Indigenous representation in North America as it tackles ethnic and socio-political issues within the context of the 1970s Southwest.

Dark Winds takes inspiration from Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee novels and season 1 specifically adapts elements from "Listening Woman" and "People of Darkness." If the show gets renewed, it has the potential to delve into different time periods in future seasons.

Set in the past, the AMC psychological thriller series Dark Winds follows Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee on their adventures. These emotionally burdened cops find themselves investigating a series of unrelated crimes, all the while questioning their own moral and spiritual beliefs. As the show enters its second season, the lead duo is compelled to look into another dark and disturbing case in the Southwest.

What sets Dark Winds apart from other police procedural shows are the homicidal cases that Leaphorn and Chee delve into. The series goes beyond the usual tropes and instead explores the psychological aspect of the police officers, resembling fan-favorite crime dramas like True Detective. With actors McClarnon and Gordon leading the ensemble cast, Dark Winds also represents a positive step towards including Indigenous North American talent and addressing the ethnic and socio-political realities of the era it is set in. Additionally, the show gains further depth by drawing inspiration from an iconic series of detective fiction novels.

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Dark Winds Takes Place In 1970s New Mexico

Dark Winds takes place in the early 1970s, starting in 1971. Although the second season doesn't explicitly mention the year, it strongly suggests that the show remains rooted in the early 1970s. While the crimes primarily unfold in New Mexico, the central characters, Leaphorn and Chee, are actually based in Navajo County, located in the neighboring state of Arizona. By utilizing these specific settings, Dark Winds effectively utilizes a scorching desert backdrop that aligns seamlessly with its Western themes and overall atmosphere.

Dark Winds Follows Two Books

The decision to set AMC's Dark Winds show in 1970s New Mexico is based on its source material. Dark Winds is connected to George R.R. Martin, the author of Game of Thrones, who serves as executive producer. The series is directly based on Tony Hillerman's acclaimed Leephorn & Chee novels. Hillerman has written 14 detective novels as part of the series, starting with The Blessing Way in 1970. Dark Winds season 1 is based on the third novel, Listening Woman, and also incorporates elements from the fourth novel, People of Darkness, which introduces the Chee character. The main plot of Dark Winds season 2 is derived from the rest of People of Darkness.

If Dark Winds is renewed for more seasons, it can explore other time periods beyond the 1970s. Hillerman's series of 14 novels were published from the 1970s to the 2000s, with the last novel, The Shape Shifter, being published in 2006. The Shape Shifter exemplifies Hillerman's use of multiple time periods, with a story set in the 21st century that includes flashbacks to the Long Walk of Navajo in the 1860s, as well as U.S. military action in Vietnam during the 1960s and 1970s. With this connection in mind, Dark Winds has the potential to examine other time periods if the opportunity arises.