Collider argues that Dark Winds’ fourth season leaves the AMC drama at a turning point, with Joe Leaphorn apparently considering retirement after an investigation into a wider Los Angeles conspiracy. The article suggests that revisiting crime boss Dominic McNair, played by Titus Welliver, could provide continuity and resolve the season’s remaining loose ends if the series returns for a fifth season.

Each season has introduced a new threat drawn from Tony Hillerman’s novels, while earlier antagonist B.J. Vines remained influential across multiple seasons through his connection to the death of Joe and Emma Leaphorn’s son. In season four, assassin Irene Vaggan acted on McNair’s orders, and the finale, “Ni’ Hodisxǫs (The Glittering World),” appears to set him up for a return; however, the article notes that Welliver does not currently seem likely to appear in a fifth season.