I firmly believe Jim Chee deserves the spotlight in Dark Winds Season 4

Jim Chee's character in the Dark Winds TV show is different on a very fundamental level from the Jim Chee in the Tony Hilmerman novels that the show is adapted from. However, the show is hopefully building his character up to grow into the Jim Chee in the novels, and I think this character growth deserves all the spotlight in the show.

The Chee we met in the first season of Dark Winds, played by Kiowa Gordon, was very different from the one we know today in Season 3. His character has had a beautiful journey in the past seasons, and I firmly believe that his character should be the spotlight in Season 4 to finally push him into becoming the best version of himself, completely in touch with his traditions and background, as inspired by the novel.

Here's why Jim Chee deserves the spotlight in Season 4 as we witness the growth of his character.

Jim Chee should be at the centre of Dark Winds Season 4

AMC's neo-western drama Dark Winds introduced us to Jim Chee in Season 1 as an undercover FBI agent, who was as far away as possible from his Navajo roots. He was dismissive of his Navajo traditions and was desperate to be accepted by the white men. In his quest full of ambition and pride, he dismissed his past and hurt the people from his community through his actions, particularly Bernadette and Joe.

At the end of Season 1 of Dark Winds, after he felt betrayed by the FBI, Chee decided to stay back in Navajoland as a private eye, but he was still unsure about his life, the Navajo community, and his future. Throughout the second season, Chee makes amends with the people he hurt through his actions in the first season and evolves into a better man, having accepted his community and his roots. He accepts his heritage and even agrees to work for the Navajo tribal police for Leaphorn by the end.

Even though he still has a long way to go, Chee has some beautiful evolution throughout Season 2 and continues to do so in Season 3. As a part of the tribal police, Chee has had to confront his demons and deal with his childhood trauma and issues that pushed him away from the Navajo community in the first place.

Jim Chee in the books was a kid with a happy childhood, who had a big family that he was very close to, especially his uncle Hosteen Frank Sam Nakai. That kid grew up into a kind, lighthearted man who was deeply in touch with his culture and faith. However, the one in Dark Winds is a completely different person who has a lot of childhood trauma, and is not close to his family, or his tradition and roots. He's kind of a loner and far removed from his culture and his community.

However, throughout the three seasons of the show, Chee is forced to confront his demons instead of running away from them, and he's slowly growing into the version of himself from the books that Hilmerman originally envisioned. I firmly believe that Season 4 will go a long way in bringing about the growth of this character, and so he should be at the centre of Dark Winds Season 4.

Dark Winds has been renewed for a fourth season, which is set to premiere in 2026.

Trending

Keep reading Soap Central for more such pieces!

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback