What Will Happen To Bernadette?

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Dark Winds season 3, episode 7.The investigations into Ernesto Cata’s murder and Tom Spenser’s trafficking ring are coming to a close in Dark Winds season 3, but there were so many bombshell revelations in episode 7 that they could use some clarification. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) made some major breakthroughs towards solving Ernesto Cata’s murder. They discovered the identity of Dark Winds‘ Ye’iitsoh, figured out why George Bowlegs is being hunted, and even set up a final confrontation with the killer. Likewise, Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) discovered just how deeply Tom Spenser (Bruce Greenwood) and Budge de Baca (Raoul Max Trujillo) had corrupted Border Patrol.

Dark Winds did a good job of explaining many of its biggest reveals about the mysteries. For example, Bernadette learned that the pig drawing she got in Dark Winds season 3, episode 1 was actually about oil PIGs, large metal balls used to clean out pipes. Spenser had the PIGs cut open and filled with drugs, which made them the perfect mule for cocaine from Mexico. The show didn’t however, have time to dive into all of its massive revelations and developments. Given how much they influence the entire cast of Dark Winds, those revelations need to be examined more closely.

Bernadette Was Betrayed By Eleanda While Searching Spenser Ranch

Tom Spenser Has The Entire Border Patrol In His Pocket

After Bernadette discovered that Ivan Muños (Alex Meraz) was taking money from Budge and Spenser in Dark Winds season 3, episode 5, she turned to Eleanda Garza (Tonantzin Carmelo) for help. Bernadette was living in Eleanda’s apartment for some time, and she thought Eleanda was the only person she could trust at Border Patrol. Unfortunately, Bernadette was mistaken. Eleanda was also working for Spenser, and she warned Budge that Bernadette was going to search Spenser Ranch ahead of time. Budge then cleared everyone out of the ranch, and they both trapped Bernadette when she went looking in the shed.

Dr. Reynolds Is The Ye’iitsoh & Killed Ernesto Cata In Dark Winds Season 3

Ernesto & George Found Out Reynolds Was Falsifying His Archaeological Dig Site

Leaphorn and Chee also had a major breakthrough in their investigation into Ernesto Cata’s murder. After finding and reassembling a clay mold they found at George Bowlegs’ campsite, Leaphorn was able to determine that the arrowhead found in Ernesto’s mouth was connected to Dr. Reynolds (Christopher Heyerdahl) and Teddi Issacs (Carly Roland), the archaeologists they met earlier in the season. When they questioned Teddi, Leaphorn discovered that Reynolds was the man he mistook for a Ye’iitsoh. As Leaphorn noted earlier in the episode, he wanted to project his guilt onto the Ye’iitsoh, so he mistook Reynolds’ long raincoat for the monster we’ve been seeing all season long.

Joe didn’t just figure out that Reynolds was the Ye’iitsoh, however, he also cracked the murder investigation wide open. Joe deduced that Reynolds was “seeding” – planting relics to extend his grant and secure funding – the dig site on the Navajo nation. George and Ernesto accidentally discovered the arrowhead Reynolds was using to seed the dig, and he killed Ernesto to cover it up. Leaphorn and Chee also discover that George is going to take a train to Reno, and they’re planning to intercept Reynolds when he tries to get George there.

Who Are The People Bernadette Found In Spenser’s Shack?

Bernadette Found The Mixtec Mother & Daughter & One Of The PIG Welders

Just before Bernadette was captured by Budge and Eleanda, she saw a closet with three people trapped inside. Dark Winds showed Budge putting one of the captives, a welder who was working on the PIGs used to smuggle drugs in and out of the country, but the other two didn’t have much explanation. Aside from the welder, the Mixtec mother and daughter that Bernadette arrested at the start of Dark Winds season 3 were also being held captive. Spenser is clearly involved in both drug and human trafficking, and the Border Patrol returned the mother and daughter to him for some reason.

Why Did Emma Lie For Joe Before Leaving Him In Dark Winds Season 3, Episode 7?

Emma Is Furious With Joe, But She Still Loves Her Husband & Wants To Eventually Forgive Him

Emma Leaphorn’s (Deanna Allison) fight with her husband, Joe, came to a head in Dark Winds season 3, episode 7. After speaking with Agent Washington (Jenna Elfman), Emma packed up her truck and told Joe she was going to live at her sister’s house for a while. The most confusing part, however, was that Emma decided to lie and protect Joe’s alibi for BJ Vines’ murder just before she walked out on him. It seems that Emma lied for Joe both because she refused to sell her husband out and because she still has some hope of repairing their marriage in the future.

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I’m So Worried Dark Winds Season 3 Is Destroying The Best Part Of The Show, But It Would Still Be Better Than How It Ended In The Books

The relationship between Emma and Joe is the best part of Dark Winds and their love story the beating heart of the show, which season 3 threatens.

While talking with Washington, Emma mentioned that she hoped she could someday forgive Joe for harboring so much darkness and hate for BJ Vines that there was no room left for her in his heart. Emma likely supported Joe’s alibi because keeping him out of prison was the only way for him to have a chance to earn her forgiveness. Ruining his alibi would have ensured that Joe went to jail, and it would have been the end of their marriage. I think Emma is holding out hope that she can forgive Joe one day, and putting him in prison would ruin any chance of that happening.

There’s also some evidence to suggest that Emma actually agrees with Joe’s decision to kill BJ Vines on some level. As she mentioned, she had a lot of dark thoughts when BJ Vines’ role in Joe Junior’s death was made clear. Emma got through that dark patch, but she understands why Joe wanted to kill Vines. She certainly doesn’t agree with his decision, but she can see why he wanted to avenge his son. Emma also mentioned to Washington that the U.S. government doesn’t care about the Navajo people, so she may understand Joe’s desire to “protect” the Diné from people like Vines.

Could Ivan Muños Save Bernadette’s Life In Dark Winds Season 3?

Ivan Seems Like The Only Person In New Mexico Willing To Help Bernadette

Now that Bernadette has been captured by Budge and Eleanda, her prospects of surviving long enough to put them all in prison are growing slimmer by the second. Unless someone comes to save Bernadette, she’ll likely die by Budge’s hand. Unfortunately, both Leaphorn and Chee are busy saving George Bowlegs’ life, and Bernadette doesn’t have anyone else in New Mexico who would save her. Right now, the only person who could feasibly save Bernadette is Ivan, and there’s some evidence to suggest that Dark Winds is setting up exactly that twist.

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Alex Meraz’s Ivan In Dark Winds Season 3 Makes Up For His Awful Villain In Landman Season 1

Dark Winds has given Alex Meraz a chance to redeem his awful villain, Jimenez, from Landman season 1, and Meraz has more than seized the opportunity.

Earlier in the episode, Ivan spoke with Ed Henry (Terry Serpico) about how he wanted to stop working for Spenser and Budge. He mentioned that he wasn’t comfortable betraying Bernadette like this, and it even seemed like he caught legitimate feelings for her during their trip to Mexico. Once he learns that Bernadette’s life is at risk, Ivan may decide to betray Spenser and Budge and save her instead. There’s still a chance that Chee somehow comes to Bernadette’s rescue after dealing with Reynolds, but right now, it seems like Ivan is going to be the hero, at least for a little bit.

Leaphorn & Chee’s Case Isn’t Connected To Bernadette’s At All In Dark Winds Season 3

Ernesto Cata’s Murder Has No Bearing On Tom Spenser’s Trafficking Ring

All the reveals of Dark Winds season 3, episode 7 summed up into a somewhat surprising conclusion: Leaphorn and Chee’s investigation into Ernesto Cata’s death has nothing to do with Bernadette’s investigation into Tom Spenser. Reynolds was acting alone when he killed Ernesto, and Spenser and Budge have no reason to even know who Ernesto Cata is. The only thing tying their cases together was Halsey (Phil Burke) and the weird farmers, but it seems that Halsey was telling the truth when he said he wasn’t involved in Ernesto’s death. Evidently, Dark Winds season 3 has been about two completely unrelated crimes all along.