AMC‘s acclaimed drama Dark Winds may have just dropped its fourth season on Netflix, but Season 5 has already wrapped filming and is set to air in 2027, making it a perfect time to reflect on the loose threads the series still has to address.
While every season follows a new case, Dark Winds‘ finale episodes always offer some jumping-off points for the next chapter to explore, and Season 4 is no exception to that rule, even introducing the crime that will take center stage in Season 5. As we look ahead to the show’s return, we’re breaking down the major questions we’ll need to see answered when Dark Winds Season 5 arrives, ranging from who killed Gordo Sena (A Martinez) to the relationship statuses between Bernadette (Jessica Matten) and Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Emma (Deanna Allison).
Scroll down for a closer look at the big questions, and let us know what you hope to see in Dark Winds when the show returns for Season 5 on AMC in the comments section.
Dark Winds, Season 5 Premiere, 2027, AMC
Will Leaphorn retire?
It was teased in Season 4 that Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn had planned to retire his role with the Navajo Police in an attempt to rediscover himself and rekindle his relationship with his estranged wife, Emma. And while he’d ultimately decided that he’d make that choice for himself and not just to save his marriage, that was seemingly put on hold when he learned Gordo had been murdered. Pending how that storyline unfolds, is it possible that Leaphorn could actually retire before Season 5 is through? We’re dying to know.
Is Chee going to take that LA job?
Chee was conflicted about his role with the Navajo Police after learning of Leaphorn’s intention of passing his job to Bernadette, effectively overlooking the former FBI agent. When Season 4’s action sent them to Los Angeles, Chee connected with FBI agent Tobias Shaw (Luke Barnett), who offered him a gig at the LA branch. While we feel optimistic that Chee will stick around home, he was still looking at Shaw’s business card in Season 4’s final moments, hinting that the possibility still lingers.
Who killed Gordo?
Gordo was murdered, but who could have done it? While we don’t know what unfolded with the former police chief, there was a mention by him to Joe that he’d take old police files and investigate them for fun. Did Gordo get too close to uncovering a dark truth that led to someone silencing him? Thankfully, Season 5 is bound to answer this biggest burning question.
Will Emma ever return?
Emma returned to Navajo Nation to attend a traditional ceremony that helped Chee recover from his ghost sickness, but she informed Leaphorn that she’d be returning “home” to Los Angeles, where she’d been living with her sister and working at IHS. While Emma and Leaphorn parted on amicable terms, even sharing a sweet kiss, we can’t help but continue to root for this couple. Could Emma return after Gordo’s death? Only time will tell.
Could McNair seek revenge?
Season 4’s crime revolved around a drug ring led by mob head McNair (Titus Welliver), and among his employ was trained assassin Vaggan (Franka Potente), who became infatuated with Leaphorn. Ultimately, she kidnapped Leaphorn to keep him for herself and keep her work with McNair, but Leaphorn’s escape left Vaggan gravely injured and taken into custody. Leaphorn informed McNair of his former employee’s status and that he’d be charging him with the murders of several Native people who became collateral damage in the scheme. Could Leaphorn’s antagonizing of this villain make way for a scary encounter in Season 5? It certainly seems so.
Where does Bernadette and Chee’s relationship stand?
Bernadette and Chee’s relationship was strong at the start of Season 4, but when Bern was offered Leaphorn’s job when he retires, it created tension between the couple. Although Chee’s anger and darkness in Season 4 were the result of ghost sickness, and Bern had helped him recover and supported the ceremony that helped set him on a lighter path, their status wasn’t as clear by the finale’s closing moments. Will they manage to get their romance on track (finally), or is more turmoil ahead?
What role will Barbara play?
In Season 4’s opener, fans were introduced to Gordo’s wife, Barbara (Linda Hamilton). Considering the star power of Hamilton, we have a feeling she’ll play a prominent part in Season 5, especially with Gordo’s death taking the spotlight, but what kind of role will she have in the story? We’re excited to find out, as her return was already confirmed.
