Dark Winds’s season four finale delivers sweat-inducing action, as both Joe Leaphorn and Billie Tsosi are captured by Irene. However, it’s timid on clearly defining our antagonist’s motivations, leaving much desired for viewers. While the resolution feels rushed, it steers to a gobsmacking cliffhanger for the next season.
Irene welcomes both her captives to her humble abode. Restrained to chairs at a kitchen table, Joe and Billie must prepare for their “first meal together as a family.” Failure to corporate leads to being gassed and imprisoned separately to try again tomorrow.
Irene is confused as to why Joe won’t accept the gift she’s offering. He lost his son, and Emma deserted him. Irene wants him to accept his new family to make him happy. He delays confirmation, gradually plotting an escape. Joe uses a filter as a mini-gas mask to evade Irene’s poisoning. Appearing unconscious, he overpowers Irene, frees Billie and heads for the exit. Joe’s able to break the lock but stops cold realizing Irene has grabbed Billie. As punishment, she tortures the teen girl as Joe can only listen from his cell.
Joe finally cooperates, being apologetic as Irene prepares breakfast. She forces him to participate in some odd blood ritual, binding them in her mind. Realizing her interest in their culture, he convinces Irene to commit to an actual ritual, an offering. Midway through, Joe tells Billie to run in their native tongue as he tosses the heating canisters, sparking an explosion. Irene is blindsided, burned and flailing in the flames. A chase ensues as Irene rises like the T-1000 from the dead. In the end, Joe strangles the assassin before placing her under arrest. Later, Joe visits McNair, assuring him that he won’t see the light of day as he, not the feds, will bring charges against him.
With nearly 20 minutes left, everyone returns to the reservation. Chee prepares a proper farewell for his mother, while Billie and her mom have reconciled. Emma returns to support Chee, but informs Joe that her life now resides in Los Angeles. Secretly, she knows Joe isn’t ready to bid the job farewell. And if he did, he wouldn’t be doing it for him. He consults with Sheriff Gordo Sena as the two are to go fishing the next day. But, that fishing trip — and retirement — is canceled as Gordo was murdered last night.
Overall, the finale delivers, even if the majority served as misdirection. Other than the confrontation, everything finished too tidy. That should have been a sign for a massive reveal, perfectly setting up the plot for season five. Gordo’s death also makes sense for Linda Hamilton’s appearance in the premiere episode. As Gordo’s widow, she should play a larger role next season.
Rating: 8/10