Review: High Stakes and Low Desert Sun: Why 'Dark Winds' Season 4 is Still the King of Noir

Rating: ★★★★☆

If you’ve been hanging out in The TV Cave for a while, you know we have a soft spot for gritty, atmospheric mysteries that make you want to shake the desert sand out of your boots. AMC’s Dark Winds has consistently been that show. As Season 4 makes its grand debut on February 15th , the question isn't whether it’s good, it’s whether Joe Leaphorn can still carry the weight of the world on his shoulders without getting a permanent crick in his neck.

The short answer? Absolutely. But Season 4 isn't just a retread of the dusty trails we’ve seen before. It’s an expansion of the "Leaphorn-verse" that takes us from the familiar vistas of the Navajo Nation to the smog-choked, neon-lit streets of 1970s Los Angeles.

A New Map for Old Souls

Based on Tony Hillerman’s The Ghostway, this season sees our favorite trio, Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and the ever-reliable Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) hunting for a missing Navajo girl. The trail leads them straight into the heart of a California organized crime syndicate, proving that monsters exist just as prominently in the city as they do in the shadows of the mesas.

The writing remains as solid as a canyon wall. The showrunners have managed to weave the cultural trauma of the Indian Relocation Act into a hard-boiled detective narrative without it feeling like a history lecture. It’s smart, it’s biting and it’s deeply human.

The Pace: A Slow Burn with Occasional Smoke

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the wigwam: the pacing. If you’re looking for Michael Bay-style explosions every five minutes, you’re in the wrong cave. Season 4 starts with a simmer rather than a boil. There are moments in the middle episodes where the narrative feels like it’s wandering through the desert without a compass, taking its sweet time to connect the L.A. underworld to the rez.

It’s a bit of a slow burn, and at times, "slow" is the operative word. However, the "dizzying pace" promised for the back half of the eight-episode run mostly delivers. Once the momentum shifts, it hits like a freight train.

Acting That Commands Respect

What saves those slower stretches? The acting. Zahn McClarnon is, as always, a god-tier talent. Watching him navigate the "gritty terrain" of L.A. while maintaining Leaphorn’s stoic dignity is a masterclass in subtlety. This season also marks his directorial debut and his eye for detail is as sharp as his acting.

The additions to the cast are inspired. Titus Welliver swaps his Bosch badge for something different that works . Franka Potente pops up reminding us all why she’s one of the best in the business. And keep an eye on Isabel DeRoy-Olson, her performance is the emotional anchor. That's all I will say, no spoilers.

The Final Verdict

Despite a few narrative speed bumps, Dark Winds Season 4 remains a mesmerizing gem in AMC’s crown. It’s a gorgeous, moody and a sharp look at justice, identity and the lengths we go to for family. The transition to a larger setting could have felt like a shark-jumping moment but the creative team kept it grounded in the characters we’ve come to love.

With a fifth season already greenlit for 2027, it’s clear AMC knows they have a winner. If you can handle a little bit of a trek to get to the payoff, you’ll find that the view from the top is well worth the climb.

Check out more TV previews and recaps right here at The TV Cave.

Do you think the move to Los Angeles helped or hurt the show's signature atmosphere? Drop your thoughts in the comments!