season 3 has received phenomenal reviews.
Many aspects make Dark Winds a great series, but one element that cannot be overlooked is how complex the characters are in the choices they make and their understanding of their pasts. This is certainly true for Joe as he is both concerned with upholding the law and desirous of his form of justice, which became clear in Dark Winds season 2's ending when he left BJ Vines to die. This action has led to him feeling haunted throughout season 3 and straying from the Pollen Path.
The Pollen Path In Navajo Culture Explained
The Pollen Path Emphasizes Living A Life Of Balance
Joe Leaphorn's trajectory in Dark Winds season 3 is fundamentally intertwined with Navajo understandings of the Pollen Path, which relates to living a life of balance and beauty. According to Navajo Traditional Teachings, the Yellow Corn Pollen Path and the rituals associated with it are related to finding "joy, happiness, confidence, and peace" in all directions of one's life. The purpose of this path is not to assume that life will become easy or perfect. Instead, it is more important to understand the beauty in all things.
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Particularly within Dark Winds, the Pollen Path, as it relates to Joe, is about his ability to make peace with his past and leave his anger and the things that are haunting him behind. The Pollen Path is intricately tied to being human and finding harmony with other living things. The path may not necessarily be straightforward, but it is the journey that each individual is meant to go on throughout their life. However, in the case of Dark Winds, Margaret notes that Joe may no longer be on the path.
Joe's Interaction With Margaret Cigaret Confirms That He's Strayed From The Pollen Path
Joe Fears That He Had Messed Up Too Much To Come Back
In Dark Winds season 3, episode 5, Margaret Cigaret speaks with Joe after performing a cleansing at the police station, and he tells her of the troubles he has been facing. There have been a lot of problems eating at Joe this season, particularly his actions towards Vines and the appearance of the Ye'iitsoh. After learning of these things, Margaret Cigaret notes that he has strayed from the Pollen Path and is being haunted by his past as a result. Once he hears this out loud, it becomes all too clear.
Margaret's assessment of his state in Dark Winds simply serves as a reminder of what Joe already knows deep down.
Joe's work has taken him to some very dark places, as have his personal decisions. Because these things are often intertwined, it has been very hard for Joe to see situations objectively or for him to heal from his son's death. The only way that Joe will be able to find the balance and beauty in his life and return to the Pollen Path is if he is truly able to move on and see the good in life. Margaret's assessment of his state in Dark Winds simply serves as a reminder of what Joe already knows deep down.
Source: Navajo Traditional Teachings
Dark Winds
- Release Date
- June 12, 2022
- Network
- AMC
Cast
Lt. Joe Leaphorn
Kiowa GordonJim Chee
WHERE TO WATCH
- Creator(s)
- Graham Roland
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