Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dark Winds season 3, episode 4.Dark Windsseason 3, episode 4 finally cleared the air on one part of Joe Leaphorn’s (Zahn McClarnon) and Emma’s (Deanna Allison) argument that was bugging me all week. The Leaphorns are still dealing with thefallout of Joe’s decision to kill BJ Vinesat theend ofDark Windsseason 2. Joe has had to contend with FBI Special Agent Sylvia Washington (Jenna Elfman) all season, and now his relationship with Emma is suffering as well. In all the commotion surrounding Joe’s dark secret, however, it seemed likeDark Windsskipped over a rather important detail.
InDark Windsseason 3, episode 3, Joe finally told Emma that he was responsible for BJ Vines' death in a heartbreaking moment. Naturally, Emma was extremely mad that Joe had effectively murdered a man, and that he had done so without speaking to her first. Their conversation quickly devolved into an argument, however, and Emma stormed ou of the house before Joe got to fully explain himself. Luckily,Dark Windsseason 3, episode 4gave Joe that chance, but it didn’t go as well as Joe (or I) thought it would.
Joe Finally Explained He Didn’t Outright Kill BJ Vines In Dark Winds Season 3, Episode 4
Joe Didn’t Explain That He Didn’t Actually Pull The Trigger On Vines In Dark Winds Season 3, Episode 3
When Joe finally admitted to Emma that he killed BJ Vines inDark Windsseason 3, episode 3, he left out some crucial details. Joe did confess his involvement in Vines' death, but he failed to specify that he didn’t actually kill Vines himself, he just left him in the desert to die.InDark Windsseason 3, episode 4, however, Joe finally got a chance to clarifyhowhe’s responsible for Vines' death, and he told Emma that he let “the land do what I couldn’t.“It seemed like a very important clarification, and I’m really glad that this week’s episode made it happen.
Joe’s Decision At The End Of Dark Winds Season 3, Episode 3 Is The Inverse Of His BJ Vines Decision
In many ways in Dark Winds season 3, Suzanne represents everything B.J. Vines is not to Joe, and the decision he makes to help her shows it.
After all, there are different types of killings, and they have different levels of responsibility. It would have been very different if Joe had actually shot BJ Vines, like he planned to, instead of just leaving him out there.Joe still killed Vines, but the “long walk” he forced him to take shows that Joe’s better nature won out in the end. It obviously doesn’t absolve Joe of murder, but I thought it was a very important caveat that he didn’t have a chance to bring up inDark Windsseason 3, episode 3.
Why The Distinction Doesn’t Matter To Emma In Dark Winds
Joe Caused Vines' Death & They’re Still Feeling The Spiritual & Legal Ramifications Regardless Of How He Died
As important as it seemed for Emma to know that Joe didn’t actually pull the trigger on BJ Vines, it didn’t matter much to her. Even after Joe explained himself, Emma said that “the land didn’t kill him, Joe, you did.“Joe’s explanation likely didn’t matter much to Emma because the way he killed Vines doesn’t change the effects of his actions. Whether it was the land or a bullet that killed Vines, Joe’s decision still marred Joe Jr.’s memory in blood, it still invited Vines' spirit into the Leaphorn house, and it still put Sylvia Washington on Joe’s trail.
“Ye’iitsoh (Big Monster)”
“Náá’tsoh (Big Eyes)”
“Ch’į́į́dii (Ghosts)”
“T’áá Áłts’íísígo (Just a Small Piece)”
“Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)”
April 27
Another reason Emma likely doesn’t care about how Vines died is because of how it affects her now. Joe’s decision meant Emma didn’t get to weigh in on his revenge for Joe Jr., and now she has to lie for him, too. Emma didn’t get a say when Vines died, and she doesn’t get a say now, in the coverup.The fact that Joe didn’t actually pull the trigger does nothing to fix those problems, so it does nothing to heal his relationship with Emma. Joe’s going to have to find something a lot better if he wants his marriage to Emma to last pastDark Windsseason 3.
