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Dark Winds on AMC
Based on the Tony Hillerman books about Navaho Indian policeman Leaphorn and Chee. It's a police procedural with a bit of a supernatural twist. It's filmed in Monument Valley and I don't if they did this on purpose but they made this stunning area look drab. But that's my only quibble with a very good show. It's told from the Native American perspective so there is a lot of well deserved white bashing.
The show starts with a armored car robbery juxtaposed against the murder of an old man and a young woman in a hotel room. The only witness to the murder is a blind woman. There are a lot conflicts going as Leaphorn and Chee go out to investigate. The Local Navahos don't like them. The FBI treat them poorly. And there is a witch. All good times.
I am ready for more episodes.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm
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Caught Ep02 and Ep03 last night. I really like this show. It's a good mystery. What keeps it from being your same old same old is the tie ins to Native American Culture kind of like what Ms. Marvel is doing for Pakistani/Islamic culture. And there are lots of storylines going on that I think are all going to tie together. As this point the main mystery has been solved for the audience even if the detectives haven't cracked it yet. Although the murder mystery is still there. There is a nice exploration of the rites of Native Americans as they transition from girls to women. How accurate they are, I have no idea.
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I think Hillerman focuses on Hopi and Navajo, typically, so "Native Americans" is a broad term and rites may be different between tribes.
IIRC Skinwalkers on Masterpiece Theater, another Hillerman, was also good.
--tg
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I could have been more specific. The show does focus on the Navajo Reservation that encompasses Monument Valley. The show does great work show casing the buttes in the area.
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I had a Hillerman phase a thousand years ago and remember enjoying the books. I also remember that Hillerman was given an award from the Navajo People for his portrayals.
In the Tudor Period, Fencing Masters were classified in the Vagrancy Laws along with Actors, Gypsys, Vagabonds, Sturdy Rogues, and the owners of performing bears.
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Ep04 At this point, everyone knows what is going on. It is just time to catch the bad people and rescue the people who need to be rescued. I'm still enjoying the show. The best part is the slight look into Navajo culture.
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Ep05 The penultimate episode. More witchiness. Another double cross. Joe Leaphorn looks craggier than ever. I did not need to see Rain Wilson in a speedo. Granted it was better seeing him in a speedo than thinking he was naked. Still a few loose threads kicking around but I think all the clues are there.
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Dark Winds Season 2 is upon us. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are back to catch bad guys in the Navaho Nation.
Lots of shootouts and explosions and car/horse chases in the first episode. There is a murder of course. 7 of 9 has come down from Starfleet to give Jim a case which eventually dovetails into Joe's case. And there is a mean white guy running around doing bad things.
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Yep. It was a pretty good season. But the ending was a bit unsatisfying. I think how Leaphorn resolved his dilemma was out of character despite the pass given to him by his father.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm
