Based on Tony Hillerman’s novel People of Darkness, Dark Winds Season 2 takes place in 1970s Navajo Country, following tribal police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The season revolves around Leaphorn’s investigation into the death of his son, who perished in an explosion years earlier. His search leads him to Colton Wolf, a bomber responsible for a similar blast. Over time, Joe uncovers a deeper conspiracy tied to businessman BJ Vines, who orchestrated these crimes for financial gain.
Though Colton Wolf carried out the bombing, he was merely a pawn in a larger scheme. The real mastermind was BJ Vines, who ordered the explosion that killed Joe’s son to drive down the value of a drilling site rich in uranium. When Joe realized that the justice system would not hold Vines accountable, he took matters into his own hands. Instead of outright killing Vines, he abandoned him in the wilderness, mirroring how Vines had indirectly killed Joe’s son. Vines froze to death, but Joe did not technically commit murder.
Colton Wolf’s Tragic Past and Vines’ Betrayal Drive Dark Winds’ Twists
Throughout the season, Colton Wolf obsessively searched for his mother, hiring and killing private investigators who failed to find her. However, in a shocking revelation, Colton had actually killed his mother as a child in an act of self-defense after she murdered his father and sister. His desperate search stemmed from psychological trauma, as he had repressed the memory of his actions.
One of the season’s biggest twists was the revelation that Vines had hired Wolf to commit multiple murders. Vines sought to eliminate Emerson, a former associate who wanted to reveal the truth about the explosion, and later targeted Emerson’s son, who possessed crucial evidence. By manipulating Wolf, Vines ensured that he remained above suspicion while expanding his wealth.
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn (Photo: Dark Winds/AMC)Emerson, upon being diagnosed with terminal cancer, decided to expose Vines’ criminal activities. His son stole a lockbox containing a geological survey proving the presence of uranium at the drilling site. To silence them, Vines hired Wolf, who successfully killed Emerson and one of his sons but kept the lockbox. This ultimately led Joe Leaphorn to connect the dots and uncover the full conspiracy.
While it seemed that Joe Leaphorn would ultimately take down Wolf, it was actually Vines who killed him. Vines gave Colton money and let him believe he was free before shooting him in the back to eliminate loose ends. As Colton lay dying, he uttered his mother’s name, symbolizing his unresolved trauma. Vines believed he had covered his tracks, but his downfall was imminent.
A Symbolic Farewell and New Beginnings Shape Dark Winds Season 3’s Direction
After exacting his form of justice, Joe melted his late son’s belt buckle into a metal feather, which he gifted to Bernadette Manuelito. This act symbolizes his acceptance of his son’s death and his attempt to move forward. By giving Bernadette the feather, he acknowledged her as a surrogate daughter, even as she left tribal police for a new role in the U.S. Border Patrol.
While Dark Winds Season 2 received critical acclaim (holding a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), its ending sparked debate. Some fans were disappointed by Colton Wolf’s early demise in the finale, while others appreciated the poetic justice of Joe leaving Vines to the elements. The ending deviated from the book’s original plot, but actor Zahn McClarnon, who plays Joe Leaphorn, argued that his character would not have outright killed Vines, reinforcing his moral compass.
Dark Winds Season 3, set six months after the events of Season 2, follows Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate the disappearance of two young boys. The moral consequences of Joe’s actions will likely play a major role, as questions remain about whether Vines truly died in the desert. Meanwhile, Bernadette’s transition to the Border Patrol signals new challenges ahead. With the show already renewed for a fourth season, Dark Winds continues to build on its gripping neo-noir storytelling.
