To call Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 10 an unpredictable, wild ride would be a complete understatement.
I’m still upset that the last episode rushed the wrap-up of the Leroy storyline, but the shocking reveal truly gave Joe the opportunity to shine.
However, there’s absolutely no way anybody could have predicted the direction that the Joe and Irene plot would take.
The first half was hard to watch yet impossible to look away from, serving as proof that the series truly pushes genre boundaries by dipping into thriller and straight-up horror.
But I’m glad that Dark Winds still devoted the latter half to an emotional exploration of the main characters.
While it might not have been the perfect finale, this one will definitely go down as one of the series’ darkest and most memorable moments.
Your Worst Nightmare
Ever since Irene’s obsession with Joe was hinted at on Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 3, this show has been hinting at a final grand confrontation between the two.
But the reveal of Irene abducting both Joe and Billie to create a faux Indigenous family to fulfill her fantasies is horrifying enough to guarantee full-body shivers.
Dark Winds has always pushed the boundaries between realism and fiction.
But this storyline definitely dips into the horror genre, as the life-or-death situation creates heart-pounding suspense that had me worried for a second that Joe might not actually make it out alive.
On top of this, the depiction of Irene’s extremity also offers clear and effective commentary on the dangers of the white savior mindset.
Irene’s desire to control the language Joe and Billie speak, while also demanding that they honor her cultural rituals, points to the hypocrisy of her behavior.
It’s clear that Irene has a vile, fetishized perspective on Indigenous culture, which influenced how her inability to understand how she’s forcing her colonialist beliefs onto Joe and Billie, rather than being genuinely supportive of the Indigenous community.
At times, this storyline is extremely difficult to watch, as every detail, such as the painted window in Joe’s cell, makes the scene bone-chillingly haunting.
However, we also see Joe’s intelligence and his ability to take care of Billie, which we didn’t see much of earlier in the season.
This part of the finale has more than proven Dark Winds as a show that continues to shock and deliver surprises four seasons in.
Closure & Community
While Joe’s story made me gasp, Chee’s emotional conclusion brought tears to my eyes.
This season’s focus on Chee and the show’s ability to delve deeply into his backstory made for an excellent storyline.
It would have been great to see more of Bernadette’s perspective and her reckoning with the opportunity to take over Joe’s job.
This diminished focus on her internal world made her conflict with Chee feel unfortunately hastily resolved, though future seasons might continue to develop their relationship.
However, the decision to highlight the Navajo community’s support for Chee’s ceremony worked very effectively.
The emotional payoff clearly shows how Chee has grown this season, as he finally confronts his greatest trauma surrounded by people who love and care for him.
Compared to how Chee suffered through the loss of his mother by himself earlier this season, the beautiful build-up to demonstrate the power of community care was incredibly powerful.
Hopefully, next season, we can see Chee and Bernadette’s relationship continue to evolve as they both learn to navigate their own complex emotions and past traumas.
After all, they’re one of my favorite on-screen television couples in recent years.
Ultimately, it was refreshing to see the show emphasize collective care and cultural community after the harrowing first half, cementing the series’ central focus on finding a path toward healing.
Also, I’m glad to see Billie get a happy ending after all she’s been through this season.
While the time she gets in the finale isn’t quite enough, it’s great to get confirmation that Billie will be all right after losing Leroy and Albert.
Joe’s Final Decision
The grand elephant in the room for the finale was Joe’s retirement.
As part of that, Joe has to confront his status with Emma and whether their future together still exists.
I appreciate how the show gave a realistic portrayal of their relationship and the need for Joe and Emma both to continue unpacking the trauma of their son’s death and the events of Season 3.
The last moment they share is bittersweet but reminds us there’s still a lot of love between them, even if they can’t be together now.
Throughout the season, Joe has clearly struggled to make choices for himself instead of trying to change for others.
By the last scene, he has fully internalized the lesson to change for himself rather than shape himself to meet others’ expectations.
This shift is likely why he then makes a choice that certainly went against what he has been promising others.
While I initially thought Joe’s new direction slightly discounted some of the season’s plotlines, I also see how it sets up the tension between Joe and the other main characters next season.
Especially after the events in the first half of this episode, Joe’s perspective on what it means to be part of the Navajo Police has clearly shifted.
Speaking of which, the cliffhanger the episode left us on is a promising sign that we’ll see Joe, Chee, and Bernadette on our screens very soon.
After all, there are very few shows nowadays that can deliver such an impactful and memorable finale the way that Dark Winds has.
What did you think of the Dark Winds season finale?
What are you hoping to see in the next season after the renewal news?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and come back next week for our coverage of AMC‘s new show: The Audacity!
-
Dark Winds Season 4 Finale Brings On The Intensity and Horror For Its Darkest Hour Yet
Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 8 front-loads the action and delivers emotional sucker punches during the second half.
-
Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 7 Is A Whirlwind of Quietly Powerful Revelations
Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 7 brings some shocking revelations and wraps up the overarching stories quickly to set up the finale.
-
Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 6 Puts Joe’s Investigative Skills To The Test
Dark Winds Season 4 Episode 6 lingers in the quiet moments while delivering dangerous confrontations with this season’s antagonist.
TV Fanatic is searching for passionate contributors to share their voices across a variety of different articles. Do you think you have what it takes to be a TV Fanatic? Click here for more information and next steps.
The post Dark Winds Season 4 Finale Brings On The Intensity and Horror For Its Darkest Hour Yet appeared first on TV Fanatic.