Critic Reviews

Dark Winds may seem similar to other detective shows but it’s more than that. With well-written and sharply defined characters, plus an invigorating and tightly wound story, it’ll be hard to wait a week for each episode to drop.

This [fourth] episode and the ones that follow prove that McClarnon is a singular performer in modern television, one who, with each season of “Dark Winds,” gives a more heart-wrenching performance than the last. .... In cracking open the emotional core of each of its characters, season three shapes up to be one of the most magnificent seasons of television released this decade.

Season four allows each of its performers to deliver affecting and career-best work, proving that as long as the show’s writers continue to find meaningful cases that push its characters close to the brink, this series will continue to be a defining touchstone that withstands the test of time.

Dark Winds is much pulpier in its origins, though it shifts into being more profound when carried on McClarnon's shoulders. It is often messy and a bit haphazard, speeding through key revelations via flashback that could have used more time to breathe. However, the enduring commitment of the performances from McClarnon and the rest of the cast ensure that the final scenes piece everything together rather poetically.

There is a texture to the way everything is constructed and, in many ways, this season is better than the first. It isn’t without its flaws, namely some occasional lines of clunky dialogue, but it remains riveting television.

What’s most exhilarating about the second season of “Dark Winds” is the complete lack of desperation. This isn’t a show that needs to pander or betray its characters for ratings. It’s only two seasons in, but these characters and the world they inhabit feel fully realized and rich with stories to tell.

It all intertwines with a gripping central mystery that’s creepy as hell, totally immersive, and appropriately sentimental. There’s nothing quite like it on TV right now.

Dark Winds’ season premiere perfectly lays the groundwork for the remaining seven outings and features great performances from McClarnon, Gordon, Matten, and Deanna Allison.

It’s a riveting one. ... A heartfelt and accomplished thriller that doubles as a proof of concept for Camel Rock Studios’ ability to tell Native stories in popular television genres. It’s a stellar showcase for McClarnon.

A gripping, pulpy drama with a tangible sense throughout that the people telling this story know what is distinct about it, elevating the more familiar thriller components into something that feels special.