Dark Winds Season 3 Episode 2 recap: Joe and Chee's hunt for truth turns deadly 

The long-awaited Dark Winds Season 3 is finally released, offering an exploration of justice, morality, and the conflict between Navajo culture and external forces. The third installment follows Joe Leaphorn's struggles with the aftereffects of his history while encountering eerie mysteries.

Ever since its premiere, the series has been appreciated by fans and viewers alike for its portrayal of the Navajo culture. For authenticity, the creators collaborated with Navajo cultural advisors, and even members of the cast and crew of Dark Winds are Indigenous Americans.

Following the show's success actor Zahn McClarnon said:

"These stories are being told from a Native perspective... We put together quite a team of Native writers, Native producers, directors, and crew and consultants."

McClarnon also hoped for the audience to appreciate the culture and added:

"I would hope that the audience sees some of those tropes, stereotypes and myths broken..."

The AMC TV series not only focuses on crime investigation but also sheds light on real-life issues faced by Native communities, such as land rights and cultural preservation. Dark Winds Season 3 continues with this approach by further diving into the lives of Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.

Continue reading to learn what happened in the latest episode of Dark Winds Season 3.

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Dark Winds Season 3 recap: Baca's deadly secret and Leaphorn’s investigation

Dark Winds Season 3 kicked off by introducing viewers to Joe's ongoing struggles. A flashback scene in the premiere revealed Joe being attacked and injured. However, the actual horror comes when he realizes that he's hunted by a monstrous figure—Ye’iitsoh, a creature deeply rooted in Navajo mythology.

This chilling introduction in Dark Winds Season 3 Episode 1 establishes danger and mystery which will be a core theme of this season. Now, in Episode 2 "Náá'tsoh (Big Eyes)", Budge Baca is seen taking a dark turn and Joe confronts the monster.

He kills the man who stole Bernadette's gun and entombs him and the truck in a ravine with an excavator. And as for Joe, he's bent on getting to the bottom of Ernesto Cata's case.

Even though he was aware of the risks involved in his inquiry, Joe refused to turn a blind eye and pursued his investigation. He then goes to the coroner's office and has a chilling vision— B. J. Vines' ice-cold face as he stares at Cata's body.

Gordo Sena suspects George Bowlegs of the crime, but Joe remains focused on the arrowhead found in Cata’s mouth and believes someone else is behind the murder.

Also Read: Dark Winds Season 3 has two unexpected cameos with a cheeky reference to Game of Thrones delay

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Bernadette’s risky investigation and Shorty’s wrongful arrest in Dark Winds Season 3

While Joe is concerned about Cata's death, Bernadette is seen following a lead in New Mexico. There, she investigates a clue that leads her to Spencer Ranch, which matches a drawing made by a young girl.

Bernadette soon spots a suspicious white van but before she can learn more about it, Tom Spencer, a powerful landowner with ties to oil and law enforcement, notices her. Since Bernadette wants to avoid any trouble she leaves without a confrontation. She also learns that Spencer is known for his influence, but this won't end her investigation.

Meanwhile, Joe and his team arrest Shorty Bowlegs after discovering a bloody knife in his barn. Initially, it looked like they've got solid evidence but the blood is revealed to be of a horse not a human.

As seen in Dark Winds Season 3 Episode 2, Shorty is proven innocent. However, Chee and Joe are aware that Shorty knows more than what he shares with them.

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The monster reveals itself in Dark Winds Season 3 Episode 2

When Shorty is being interrogated, Chee immediately understands that he is covering up something regarding George. They grill him, and Shorty finally agrees to give Joe and Chee a ride to their family's far-away cabin, with the hope they could get some clues there.

On the contrary, Bernadette begins to suspect that Spencer's oil trucks are being utilized for human trafficking. Her suspicions continued to increase as she saw Budge Baca in one of the trucks, further urging her to reveal the truth.

Shorty returns to the cabin but something spooks the horses suddenly and they become restless. Joe is keen to know why the commotion ensued. However, he does not have the chance to even try and find out what went wrong as he is ambushed by a terrible skeletal creature.

This is the same disturbing presence that has been tormenting Joe, and shocking enough, it was not a nightmare or vision but a real monster. The whole situation quickly becomes fatal as bullets are fired and Joe is injured.

The end of the Dark Winds Season 3 episode makes one thing certain: the terror that Joe has been experiencing has finally come to reveal itself, and is even more deadly than he had ever anticipated.

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