Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dark Winds season 4, episode 8.The finale of Dark Winds season 4 ended with the shocking death of a beloved character, setting up a very personal mystery for Joe Leaphorn, Bernadette Manuelito, and Jim Chee to solve next season. The finale of Dark Winds season 4 was a whirlwind. Leaphorn escaped from Irene Vaggan alive and with Billie Tsosie, Chee had his ghost sickness cured and reconciled with Bernadette, and a major character in Dark Winds met an untimely end.
Dark Winds season 5 was renewed even before season 4 premiered, so some of the unanswered questions from this season’s finale will be resolved next year. That being said, the finale of season 4 also set up plenty of new stories, character development, and mysteries for the coming season. The biggest of those is, of course, the death of A Martinez’s Gordo Sena, which came as a huge surprise at the end of Dark Winds season 4.
Dark Winds Season 5 Will Investigate Gordo Sena’s Death
The biggest shock of Dark Winds season 4’s finale was the news that Gordo Sena, former sheriff of Scarborough County and longtime friend of Joe Leaphorn, was murdered. As the episode came to its final moments, instead of revealing whether Leaphorn had decided to retire or continue working as a lieutenant, Joe told Bernadette that Gordo had been murdered.
Unfortunately, we don’t know anything about Gordo’s murder yet, and we won’t know until Dark Winds season 5 begins. However, we do know some context surrounding his death. Gordo was supposed to go fishing with Joe the day after he was murdered, but Joe took a rain check. Leaphorn also mentioned that Gordo was killed at night, meaning he was likely at home at the time. Given his career in law enforcement, there are also plenty of possible suspects.
There’s also another piece of information that should give Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito a challenge in solving Gordo’s murder next season: his wife. Gordo’s wife, Barbara (Linda Hamilton), has some form of dementia. She couldn’t recognize Joe at the beginning of Dark Winds season 4 and also forgot her own son. This means that even if Barbara witnessed Gordo’s murder, her fading memory will make it hard to get any information out of her.
Gordo’s death is groundbreaking for Dark Winds for several reasons. This is the first time the show has ended on a true cliffhanger. Past seasons have had their loose ends but solved all the most pressing mysteries. This time, however, fans will have to wait another season to find out who killed Gordo. This is also the first time Dark Winds has killed off such a major character. Gordo’s death changes the game for Dark Winds season 5.
All Of Chee’s Friends & Colleagues Attended His Ghost Sickness Ceremony
Jim Chee’s struggle with ghost sickness also came to an end in the finale of Dark Winds season 4. In Dark Winds season 4, episode 7, Chee finally agreed to attend a ceremony to heal his ghost sickness and address the trauma of his mother’s death. Chee was initially worried that no one from the Navajo community would come to attend the ceremony with him but was quickly proven wrong.
Almost every major and side character in Dark Winds came to attend Chee’s ceremony. The other deputies at the NTP, Gordo Sena, Roger the cashier at the trading post, Joe Leaphorn’s parents, Billie Tsosie and her mother, Shorty Bowlegs and his sons, Chee’s old teacher, and even FBI agent Shaw all came to support him. That huge turnout helped prove to Chee that he’s a valuable part of the Navajo community and should help him start healing from his trauma.
Emma Leaphorn also attended Chee’s ceremony, which gave her a chance to speak to Joe. Emma decided to return to Los Angeles but shared a kiss with Joe and told him that he would always be her family while agreeing that the reservation would always be her home. Emma also encouraged Joe to consider whether he was retiring from the NTP for her or for himself.
Leaphorn & Billie Escaped By Blowing Irene Vaggan Up
The finale also provided a resolution to Irene Vaggan and Dominic McNair’s story. Earlier on in the episode, Joe Leaphorn and Billie Tsosie were being held captive by Irene Vaggan. Irene explained that she was keeping Billie both as leverage over Joe and as a twisted version of a daughter for their “family.” McNair wanted Joe and Billie killed but Irene’s obsession with Joe caused her to try to force him to love her.
Luckily, Joe and Billie were able to escape. During a ritual at dawn, Joe told Billie to run away while speaking Navajo and used burning sage to ignite the gasoline Irene was using to knock them out. That explosion burned half of Irene’s face off but didn’t kill her. Joe also had a chance to strangle Irene but instead arrested her for murder. Irene, delusional until the end, was convinced that Joe couldn’t live without her.
After Joe arrested Irene, he visited Dominic McNair in prison again. Joe explained that he was responsible for adding murder charges to McNair’s court case. He also explained that McNair would likely walk away a free man after appealing his initial trial and taunted McNair to try and kill him once he was free. While Joe certainly struck a blow, there’s a chance he hasn’t seen the last of Dominic McNair yet.
How The Ending Of Dark Winds Season 4 Sets Up Season 5
The ending of Dark Winds season 4 left plenty of room for future stories as it left many questions unanswered regarding Leaphorn’s retirement plans or potential reconciliation with Emma while Chee considered rejoining the FBI.
The murder of Gordo Sena is significant as it introduces new challenges for our characters while Dominic McNair’s potential revenge against Leaphorn could serve as an intriguing subplot.
The Real Meaning Of Dark Winds Season 4’s Ending Explained
The central theme revolves around home as characters learn about their roots while embracing their heritage throughout this journey.
This narrative emphasizes how home is not merely a location but encompasses people and culture that shape one’s identity deserving respect.
