Dark Winds season 3 did it again
After two successful and visually delivering seasons, Dark Winds did it again and gave us another show full of action, mystery and outstanding costumes.
Based on the combined plots of multiple Tony Hillerman bestselling novels, the series Dark Winds is a psychological thriller set in the 1970s Southwest. It follows two Navajo police officers, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, as they solve unsettling crimes on tribal land. We follow the daily life of a small unit assigned to patrol 27,000 miles of desert terrain in and around Monument Valley, as well as the three-dimensional characters of the series protagonist, who, more often than not, are intricately connected to the crimes themselves. And then the scenery and costumes enter the chat.
Not a single detail is missed when it comes to the characters’ look, their surroundings or even the extras - it’s 1972 and thanks to the costume designer Lahly Poore-Ericson, it feels like it. We see actors in polyester western shirts, permanent press pants, denim vests and three-piece suits. I found myself jealous of some of the items featured in this season, like this leather whipstitched jacket worn by the greasy villain, Budge (below).
And then there are the basics, like a look that Joe Leaphorn pulls across the seasons when he’s off duty, consisting of blue jeans, white crew neck t-shirt, his trusty boots, buckle belt, aviators and hat. The only thing he changes is a jacket or a shirt thrown over. I find it very inspiring - having these few staples like quality denim, a vintage jacket and well-worn boots that not only make your life easier every morning, but also show who you really are. Because if you’re not bending for trends but keep rocking the same good ol’ outfit day after day, that’s a powerful message you’re sending off to the modern world. As I’ve been working on simplifying my personal closet, watching this series reminded me that I am on the right track - having less, taking better care of what I already have and re-wearing the items, especially my rare, vintage pieces that now tell my story.
Season 3, giving us 8 episodes (previous seasons were lean and mean, with 6 episodes each), has been called the strongest yet by movie magazines and critics, scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and more than 50% audience growth, compared to season 2. The latest season is available on AMC+ (you might need a VPN to watch it outside of the US). I subscribed to the 7-day free trial and binged the whole season in 3 nights. I feel no shame.
PS. Oh, and season 4 has been confirmed!
Marina