Dark Winds Season 4, Episode 1 Ending Explained: Who’s Hunting Billie

by

Be warned, this article reveals key plot points from the first episode of Dark Winds season 4! The season starts powerfully, with Joe Leaphorn, Bernadette Manuelito, and Jim Chee launching a search for Billie Tsosie. Critics have praised season 4 of Dark Winds, predicting it will be as captivating as past seasons, and the premiere episode seems to be living up to those expectations.

The first episode of Dark Winds season 4 revealed Leaphorn’s upcoming retirement, the blossoming relationship between Chee and Bernadette, and the central mystery of the season. But as a mystery series, the episode raised more questions than it answered, leaving some key details to unpack. As Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito continue their search for Billie, here are the most important things to keep in mind.

Who The Woman Hunting Billie & Albert Was In Dark Winds Season 4, Episode 1

Michael Moriatis/©AMC/Courtesy Everett Collection

The first episode of Dark Winds season 4 showed a woman causing chaos while pursuing Billie and Albert Gorman. While we don’t know much about her yet, we do know her name is Irene (played by Franka Potente), and she remains largely a mystery.

At the beginning of the episode, we saw Irene driving a green van that Albert damaged during his escape. She was wearing clothes that looked like military uniform, and her efficient killing of the waitress and cook suggests she’s been trained in combat. When she met Albert, she knew his name, implying they have a past connection. Also, Irene seemed to have a German accent.

We don’t yet know what Irene’s intentions are with Albert and Billie. She was seen at the trading post when Leaphorn and Chee were also there, which suggests she’s been tracking Albert for a while. For now, Irene’s story and reasons remain unclear, and we’ll have to wait for future episodes of Dark Winds season 4 to find out more.

Why Albert Took Billie Out Of School & Where They’re Going

Michael Moriatis / ©AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection

Later in the episode, it was revealed why Billie had left St. Catherine’s. Apparently, Albert pulled her out of school to assist him in finding someone named Leroy. We don’t know much about Leroy yet, but it’s possible Albert needs Billie’s help because he’s unfamiliar with the Navajo reservation – he even asked her to buy a map.

Billie often skips school and walks for five days to visit her grandfather, meaning she’s familiar with the area. Albert likely brought Billie along to help him find Leroy, using her knowledge of the land. While it’s unclear why Albert is looking for Leroy, involving Billie in the search is putting her in a dangerous situation.

Why Leaphorn Chose Bernadette To Replace Him Instead Of Chee

A major development in the first episode of Dark Winds season 4 was Joe Leaphorn’s announcement that he intends to retire. While his retirement wasn’t entirely unexpected, it was surprising to see him select Bernadette as his replacement as lieutenant for the Navajo Tribal Police, rather than Jim Chee.

The choice was unexpected given Bernadette’s recent career path. After leaving the reservation to work with Border Patrol in season 3 of Dark Winds, she hadn’t fully rejoined the Navajo Tribal Police when Joe offered her the position. Joe clarified that he selected Bernadette because of her strong spiritual connection. He believes that understanding Navajo culture is essential to the job, and Chee isn’t as deeply connected to his heritage as Bernadette is.

Leaphorn’s choice is bound to create difficulties for the characters in Dark Winds. Bernadette was surprised by the news and will need time to adjust to her new position. Chee not getting the promotion could strain his budding relationship with Bernadette, potentially leading to conflict. Plus, it’s unclear whether Leaphorn truly intends to retire, given his past attempts that didn’t last.

Why Leaphorn Wants To Retire In Dark Winds Season 4

via AMC

The biggest surprise from the first episode of Dark Winds season 4 was Joe Leaphorn’s announcement that he plans to retire. Throughout the series, Leaphorn has been fully committed to his job as a police lieutenant, making his decision a shock. While it initially appeared he was retiring to reunite with Emma, who moved to Los Angeles at the end of season 3, there’s a deeper reason behind it.

Leaphorn explained to Bernadette that winning Emma back isn’t his only goal – he’s realized his job has changed him into someone he doesn’t like. He acknowledges he made errors in his past relationships, particularly with BJ Vines and how he distanced Emma from his life, and is now actively trying to improve. We’ve seen him taking time in the mountains to reflect and reconnect with himself, and it’s clear he’s serious about personal growth.

Dark Winds Season 4 Release Schedule
Title Release Date (Sundays @ 9 PM ET on AMC+)
Baptism by Fire February 15
Toward Their Unknown Paths February 22
That Which has been Torn Apart March 1
The New World March 8
Those Who Harmed One Another March 15
Those Who Were Searching For Me March 22
We Came Back March 29
The Glittering World April 5

It’s unclear if Joe’s personal growth will be enough to rekindle his relationship with Emma. The previews for season 4 of Dark Winds show Leaphorn and his team traveling to Los Angeles, which could give him an opportunity to talk to her again. However, it appears Leaphorn is seriously considering retirement from the police force after this season of Dark Winds.

Read More

2026-02-16 06:20