User Reviews

This show is as good as advertised. I've never heard of the books so I had no expectations going in so I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. Zahn McClarnon has been good in just about everything he's ever been in but he's finally given a chance to be a lead and he excels at it. Kiowa Gordon is an unknown actor who also does an excellent job and should have plenty of opportunities and a bright career after this. The rest of the cast (Noah Emmerich, Rainn Wilson, Jessica Matten, etc) all hold there own here too. There are not many shows built around Native Americans so I'm glad this one didn't flame out and disappoint.

Well written, well acted, well paced. Two episodes in and I'm hooked. So far there are three plots to follow - the murders of two reservation residents, a high-profile armored car robbery using a helicopter, and a possible conspiracy to blow up a mining operation. And then there's spooky stuff... It sounds like a lot going on, but because the writing is so good, it's very easy to follow the various intersecting plot lines.

The characters are quite appealing - I credit the fine acting for that - consequently you get invested in the show very quickly. The show doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the overt and systematic racism faced by Native Americans in the 1970's (not to suggest it's strictly a thing of the past), but so far it's not falling into the trap of portraying the native people as 'noble savages,' either.

This is simply good drama, and the fact that it's set on a Navajo reservation just enhances the drama rather than over-relying on it or using it as a shtick. I like this show and I think if you give it a try, you'll be hooked, too.

I just finished the first season of Dark Winds and have to say it was so much better than I expected it to be. I'm not it's one of my favorite shows, not even close, but it's definitely worth watching. It does start a little slow, I don't mind a slow burner but even I almost gave up early but stayed with it and it just got better and better with each episode to the point I binged all six episodes of the first season in a weekend. Six episodes was perfect for a show like this, it could possibly go to eight but I like six. The writing and acting is what makes this show so good. It looks like most people who stuck with it really enjoyed it and the people who didn't gave up after the first episode. Stick with it, you won't be disappointed. It did well enough to be picked up for another season so I'm looking forward to seeing more!

When I saw in the opening credits that Robert Redford and George RR Martin were executive producers, I knew this would be a good series. The lead cast are very good and the script is believable, the plot is interesting and the dialog is good. The setting is the Navajo Nation in the 1970s and their tribal police. The contrast in cultures, science versus tribal superstitions and the remote and vast reservation all add to the great story.

Can't wait for the next episode. This brings back So much, as I lived on the Navajo Reservation (near Shiprock) in a log cabin during the same time frame. I turned 21 there, & it was another world entirely. This show is really bring int all back. And McClarnon - so good It better be continuing on into another _. LONGER-season !

Now that it is done - I restate, very emphatically - it had BETTER have a 2cnd, LONGER season.

Loved these characters and the settings, but the show took a deep dive into the rather pedestrian wrap up. I was disappointed that the writing couldn't support the characters at the end of the season. The actors were all terrific and are to be lauded, the writing ... not so much.

Although I'm an Australian living here in Australia, I have a huge passion for the USA and the Navajo Indians. We travel there almost every year. Firstly I read all Longmire Books, then loved the Longmire series. After reading all the Tony Hillerman ones, I love this series as well. Just as expected. Zahn McClaron is an amazing actor, as usual, and the Dark Wind Series with so many gorgeous talented Navajos, I'm in love with it. So glad they did this series.

An interesting and entertaining series that was definitely worth the watch. Love the rich cinematography and western vibes. Characters are well cast and very well acted.

I liked this so much, I couldn't stop watching it, I Binged watched it all. I kept forgetting that it took place in the 70's and not a computer, cell phone, modern vehicle in sight. It did not take feel like it was in the 70's either. AMC is doing great things non stop. They take their time and get the job done unlike Netflix.

This show is based on a series of Tony Hillerman novels that focus on Navajo Police activities in the early 70s. I'm five episodes in and enjoying the ride.

I have really respected Zahn McClarnan's work in the past and looked forward to this version. Acting was good but the script and concept is so far from Tony Hillerman's (and later Anne Hillerman's) vision that I elected not to pursue future episodes.

I admit that I am old and well steeped in the Leaphorn and Chee tradition from the excellent novels and the Robert Redford PBS American Masterpiece programs so this version- which discards the most basic elements in favor of superficial oh so predictable plot progression and politically correct characters that this is thin gruel indeed.

Joe Leaphorn is NOT Joe Leaphorn. Bernie is NOT Bernie. And Jim Chee is from another universe altogether. It could be that everything was changed to make the series more palatable to a younger audience which has not experienced the richness of the novels from Tony Hillerman and continued by his daughter Anne, but there is no there, there and Jim Chee is NOT Jim Chee- not even close.

Maybe as a stand alone with new names for the characters it might work, but it plods and skims along the surface of something that has great potential to tell a great story.

I hope that those new to the Lephorn Chee Manuelito canon might take the time to read or listen to the books as written by the Hillermans, both father and daughter there is much to be drawn from them and, in my opinion, provide a much greater return for the time invested.

A show that starts out strong and interesting, and then by the end of season 1, caves in on itself with cliches and poor writing. Even the acting kind of rolls into boring territory by the time this wraps up. Thats too bad, considering the potential. A missed opportunity.

I enjoy Hillermans work and have learnt a lot about Navaho culture and conversely about my own reading his books...

Leaphorn and Chee are a solid addition to the crime genre and the first episode portrays them well.

The stories I have enjoyed on the page are brought to life delightfully. The most immediate impression is of space and silence and Dark Winds does this expansively.

Set in the 70s, an alien landscape (but recogniable from so many films) following the lives of people who live there.

Story (not canon but ok) builds nicely, the characters are strong and an awesome cast who fill aforementioned landscape with well sculptured theatre.

And quiet.

So I have AMC+ and have seen the first 2 episodes and it just gets better and better. It's part mystery, thriller, dark humor, and drama- a bit of everything with wonderful acting. I absolutely love Zach McClarnon in everything I've seen him in, the series Fargo, Reservation Dogs, Westword, can't recall what else, but the guy has range and I can't wait for him to have an Academy type role, he is due.

Noah Emmerich from the Americans plays a self-important FBI agent, Rainn Wilson plays a used car salesman and another sleezy part in the story I'm sure, lol. Every character is interesting.

This 6 part series is executive produced by George RR Martin and Robert Redford, so you know it's gonna be a great story. I can't wait to see where it goes!

I really hate when they change the character's origin stories or write the women to he badasses before that happens in the stories. It's disrespectful to the original work. I can hear Tony Hillerman rolling in his grave.

If you're not a big fan of the books or you don't mind bad adaptations, it's a good show. I'm on episode three and am fighting the super fan in me. I've read the books over and over so the massive changes are making me nuts. But I'm determined to get over it.

A bank is robbed and a double murder is committed of a Listening Woman/healer and her granddaughter. Are they related somehow? There are a lot of plot threads to follow and I'm not sure where they're all going yet.

Dark Winds is in a perfect spot with AMC, which continues to show content that people once went to the movies to see. I think Actor Zahn McClarnon is one actor who always knows how to play it cool but wise. McClarnon and the rest of the ensemble are a great match-up. The showrunners (so far) are doing a great job getting me to connect with the characters through their stories. It feels like it's going to be a great series, and my curiosity is piqued, I honestly can't wait to see what happens next.

As always, if you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you watch this series, let me know what you think.

Keep it interesting, Stay Channel Surfing!

Damian at TalkTeaV.

Familiar with the source material. I think the series overall is going to be called Dark Winds. This intro(first season) is loosely based on another book called The Listening Woman. It seems to be confusing some, as another book is called The Dark Wind. The acting is excellent. You have a lawman who straddles the fence between modern investigation and lore. You have another law person who will pull over and start rituals! Yet another knows the lore well, but so far disbelieves. It's not going to be Night Stalker set on an Indian Reservation if you think that's where it's going.

It's a simple but convoluted tale about greed and double cross. Respect and disrespect. Honour and dishonour. And broad identity and selfish interest. It explores our dark desires but also lays bare our weaknesses.

I liked the fact that this murder/mystery engaged me right from the start and although there were many twists and turns, the pace was great throughout and I never got bored. I binged it all in one go one night: a rarity for me.

I don't think I've ever seen a show devoted to American Indians and this was a breath of fresh air. There was only Noah Emmerich who's name I recognised from the cast, but every performance was sharp and consistent.

Loving it already after one episode. No familiarity with the book(s) so nothing is "spoiled" for me. I thought Zahn was a standout in Longmire and I'm glad to see a reprise of sorts here.

I really enjoyed the series; the Navajo angle was refreshing. Good acting and chemistry. The story kept me looking forward for the next episode. I think the black magic aspect was a distraction and totally unnecessary. I had the beginning and middle episodes rated a 9 but by the ending it was down to a 5, hence my 7 rating. The writers ran out of ideas for the final terrible episode, and it brought down the series.

I really don't understand why film makers need to screw up a perfectly fantastic story to make a movie. Almost everything in the series is totally inaccurate. Joe Leaphorn never had a son. Jim Chee NEVER worked for the FBI. They portray Jim Chee as someone who knows nothing about the Navajo culture. This is so freaking far from the truth, that I truly wonder WTF were the screenwriters thinking. It's an excellent book and I just can't wrap my head around as too why they would screw everything up so badly. I'm sure that at this point poor Tony Hillerman is rolling in his grave, knowing that this monstrosity of a picture is out there.

This show was a recommendation and I am grateful. The story is interesting and the cast mostly decent actors. There were some goofs here and there and the music choices were terrible. Background music okay but songs were loud, mostly jarring, and inappropriate for the mood or scene.

Otherwise, solid and, frankly, great attempt to have a good native cast and language. The setting is beautiful and was a great character in the story. Good cultural references, too.

Story hooked me and kept me watching the show. The characters felt authentic and it looks like a great set up for another season. I am recommending to others!