As the sixth chapter of Dark Winds' inaugural season unfolds, the grand finale begins five weeks prior to the impending heist, aligning roughly with the timeline of episode four. At the AICCA (American Indian Coalition for Community Action), James is actively distributing pamphlets, a passionate呼吁 for unity against the oppressive Vines Mines. His voice echoes through the halls, calling for collective resistance when Agent Whitover, a man of privilege and influence, strides in with an air of menace.
Whitover looms over James, threatening him with the specter of imprisonment for the Stockton heist and boldly asserts his awareness of the impending Gallup caper. Betrayed by the pilot from the prior robbery, James finds himself cornered and compelled to entertain Whitover's proposition.
From the precinct, Chee radios Bernadette, employing the Dine language as a cloak of secrecy to thwart any eavesdropping ears. He urges her to beware of Whitover's presence, while she informs him of their journey towards the lake where the enigmatic helmet was discovered.
Switching scenes to the hideout, the intricate plan of Nakai and James comes to light. They devise a daring scheme to liberate Smith and task him with fetching a van from Dan's. Upon his return, the Smith family will serve as a decoy, paving their escape route beyond the Navajo border.
To orchestrate a spectacular distraction, they plot to bombard the hills where they have established camp. Bernadette slips silently from the vehicle upon arrival, her timing perfect as Whitover is momentarily indisposed, relieving himself. Meanwhile, Nakai and James uncover Leaphorn, concealed within the crevices like a shadow. They hastily block his escape routes with rocks and employ a clever ruse: funneling smoke from a blazing fire into the ductwork, aiming to choke him out in his concealment.
The tension mounts, each move and decision painted with vivid strokes, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation.Chee catches Whitover wandering aimlessly and unveils his awareness of the hidden truths. In a flash, both agents draw their firearms simultaneously, but Whitover's reflexes are quicker, hitting Chee in the shoulder.
Smith's vehicle, meanwhile, takes a dramatic plunge, drawing the attention of Guy, a passerby. He promptly asks his companion to rush Smith to the hospital while he races towards the hideout to rescue Smith's kin. Bernadette liberates the Smith family, while Leaphorn, employing cunning, manages to escape through the ducts. He cleverly drops bullets near the roaring fire, causing them to ignite and wound James in the leg. Faced with Leaphorn's descent, the thugs scramble to flee, but Leaphorn's timely leap stops them. He sabotages the tires of their getaway vehicle. Chee reconvenes with Bernadette, while Leaphorn silently approaches Nakai and James from behind.
Whitover enters the scene unbeknownst to Leaphorn, who emerges from hiding, aiming at Nakai and James. However, Whitover swiftly disarms him and shoots Leaphorn in the shoulder, causing him to plummet into the ditch below. Whitover then turns his gun on Nakai, who tries to retaliate upon realizing Whitover's betrayal. James and Whitover flee with the money. As Whitover emerges from the caves, he finds himself surrounded by Bernadette and Chee. Bernadette rushes to Leaphorn's side while Chee confronts Whitover. Unbeknownst to Whitover, Guy lies in wait behind him, rifle in hand. Whitover's derogatory remarks about Anna provoke Guy to take a lethal shot, ending Whitover's life.
Chee seizes the rifle and urges Guy to leave. Bernadette lifts Leaphorn, who instructs her to assist Chee and pursues James alone. Chee and Bernadette drag Whitover's body into the caves, placing it beside Nakai's to frame him as the killer. They also leave the money with the bodies. To carry out their plan, they detonate the caves. Leaphorn tracks James to his grandfather's hut, where James ambushes and disables him. In a poignant conversation, James opens up about his cause, his childhood traumas, and the abuse he endured at the church. Despite Leaphorn's pleas, James remains steadfast and takes his own life.
The families of Guy and Leaphorn pay their final tributes to Anna and Joe, finally granting them peace and achieving closure amidst their heart-wrenching losses. As the months pass, a span of three unfolds, leading us to a poignant scene where Leaphorn seeks out Chee at his ancestral abode. Chee, having resigned from the Bureau in the wake of recent events, finds Leaphorn extending an invitation to join their police ranks. Chee responds with genuine positivity, offering heartfelt apologies for their earlier estrangement.
Leaphorn then drops a bombshell concerning the caves: the authorities uncovered but a single corpse and no trace of the money bag. It transpires that Frank Nakai, far from deceased, had actually absconded with the loot. One can't help but speculate that his return as the season 2's primary adversary is all but inevitable. The two officers exchange a meaningful handshake, their silent gratitude underscoring the depth of their shared efforts. And with that, the screen fades to black, leaving a lingering sense of anticipation.
