AMC is no stranger when it comes to hit shows. But as of late it's not The Walking Dead franchise that is bringing in the best numbers. It is actually Dark Winds.
Dark Winds staring Kiowa Gordon and Zahn McClarnon has been as good as it’s ever been and that has been proven by the numbers. Before TWD: Dead City led the way with the best streaming numbers for AMC Plus Dark Winds season 2 put its feet in the sand.
The series based on Tony Hillerman’s novels has had a miraculous season more than doubling its viewership from season one by 146% in the opening two episodes. The millions of viewers watching has only risen with each consecutive episode. The series opener brought in a total of 1.3 million viewers and only upgraded from then on. The final numbers have yet to come in from AMC Network but I can’t imagine those numbers backsliding with the amazing season finale Dark Winds just had.
Dark Winds closed out the season with the demise of both Colton (the “blonde man”) and the wealthily evil B.J. Vines, who made a mockery of sacred Navajo rituals. He played with fire and he got burned. By taking Vines down (the man who played a huge part in the murder of his son) and Colton the man responsible for taking Joe’s son out of this world Leaphorn was finally able to find some peace. Emma Leaphorn was able to push her guilt aside and learn to start living again. Jim Chee is back on the force just as Bernie went off to greener pastures to take a position at the border patrol. Each in their way making the world a better place. Another season could bring a whole new chain of events that could jeopardize that.
Will there be a third season of Dark Winds?
At this moment in time, there is no confirmation for a season 3. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Things are on the back burner in the entertainment industry due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike. But if any show on AMC deserves to be awarded another season it is Dark Winds. Season 2 started off with a bang and finished with an even bigger one with a happy ending to boot. Having a conclusion for the story opens the door for another Tony Hillerman novel to tackle.
Dark Winds director Chris Eyre believes there is much more story to tell, revealing an optimistim for anotehr seaosn in a new interview with TV Line.
"I don’t feel like we’ve hit our stride with this series. It feels like we’ve gotten the show on its feet. And now that it’s on its feet I want to know what happens to the characters, too. I think that their evolution could be a long time coming—And a great journey."Chris Eyre
With a total of 18 thrillers by Tony Hillerman and another five written by his daughter, Anne, there is plenty more story to tell. Hopefully, AMC will give them the green light to tell many more stories in the future. I believe there is so much more culture and history of the Navajo Nation and Native Americans as a whole that needs to be tackled. There is so much the general public has to learn and I think this show has the perfect platform to do it in. Not to mention the cinematography is in a class of its own. Fans cannot get enough of the majestic scenery of New Mexico.
We are pulling for not just another season, but many seasons to come. Joe Leaphorn is a character that the world needs to know about. It truly feels like the greatness has only begun.