The hunt for a missing teenager has taken a serious toll on Jim Chee. As the fourth season of AMC’s hit series Dark Winds moves deeper into its run, actor Kiowa Gordon is shedding light on his character’s physical and emotional breakdown. In a recent interview with Variety, Gordon described Chee’s state as one of intense vulnerability, driven by a condition known as ghost sickness .
The season, which premiered on February 15, 2026, follows Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito as they leave the reservation to search for a runaway girl in 1970s Los Angeles . But for Chee, the trip into the city has awakened painful memories and a spiritual illness that is manifesting in frightening ways.
Chee’s Ghost Sickness Explained
For viewers unfamiliar with Navajo tradition, ghost sickness, or “chʼį́įdii,” is a real condition that occurs when a person comes into contact with the negative energy of a deceased person, known as the “chindi” . This happens by touching a corpse or entering a dwelling where someone has died—a structure known as a death hogan .
Chee’s troubles began in Episode 2 when he ignored Manuelito’s warning and entered a death hogan to find the body of Albert Gorman . Almost immediately, his nose started bleeding, and he began experiencing disturbing visions . By Episode 4, which aired on March 8, his condition had worsened considerably .
Kiowa Gordon explained to Variety that this storyline allows the audience to see a completely different side of his character. “He’s had a lot of unhealed trauma, and so that resurfaces because of this ghost sickness and it manifests in his body,” Gordon said. “He’s more whittled-down and vulnerable this season, and a little more raw” .
The Weight of the Past in Los Angeles
The move to Los Angeles is not just a change of scenery for Chee. It forces him to confront the difficult memories of his youth. In Episode 4, while waiting at an Indian Center in the city, Chee suffers a flashback to his teenage years when he first arrived in Los Angeles with his mother after leaving the reservation . The memory triggers another bloody nose, leaving him disoriented and shaken .
Gordon’s description of the character’s state as one of “inner turmoil” fits perfectly with what viewers saw in that episode. Back at the motel, Chee was shown shirtless, looking dazed while trying to patch up a wound on his stomach . His judgment became clouded, and his relationships suffered. When Manuelito tried to comfort him and show sympathy, he pushed her away, leading her to call him a “jackass” .
Going Undercover at a Dangerous Party
Despite his failing health, Chee remains determined to solve the case. His decision to go undercover at a party hosted by a man named Sonny Bearheart, played by Chaske Spencer, proved to be a turning point in the episode . Chee had met Sonny outside the Indian Center and noticed he was wearing the same type of ring that the murdered cousin Albert used to wear .
At the party, Sonny pressured Chee to take pills and drink alcohol. The combination of drugs and his existing ghost sickness hit Chee hard. He rushed to the bathroom and began vomiting violently, then started hallucinating. In his nightmare, he saw his own body retching blood everywhere . It was a brutal moment that showed just how far the character has fallen this season.
Gordon told Variety that working with Spencer again was a highlight. The two actors previously appeared together in the Twilight saga films. Gordon called their reunion on the set of Dark Winds “The most fun I’ve had on a set” .
Relationship Strains and Professional Tension
Chee’s struggles are not limited to his health. His relationship with Bernadette Manuelito, played by Jessica Matten, is also on rocky ground. The couple got together at the end of Season 3, but things have not been smooth since .
Matten explained to The Hollywood Reporter that her character is dealing with her own trauma after killing a man in self-defense last season. “Bernadette literally just cold-blooded murdered someone,” Matten said. “We were talking a lot about, how do you transition from that to a loving relationship and being present for that?” .
The situation became even more complicated when Leaphorn decided to retire and chose Manuelito to take his place as leader of the Navajo Tribal Police . Chee, who is ambitious and qualified for the job, does not yet know about this decision. Joe has refused to tell him, fearing Chee won’t keep the secret from the rest of the office . This leaves Manuelito in an impossible position, forced to keep a secret from the man she loves.
Matten noted that the power dynamic is especially tricky given the time period. “This being in the ‘70s, there’s still not a lot of female leadership that’s out there in society,” she said. “So [there are different] dynamics of her winning a position of leadership over a man, and how that could potentially interfere with or disrupt their relationship dynamic” .
The Meaning Behind the Symptoms
For Gordon, playing a character in such a weakened state required a deep understanding of the cultural context. Ghost sickness is not just a plot device on the show; it is rooted in genuine Navajo belief. Non-Native viewers may not realize that for traditional Navajo people, avoiding contact with the dead is an important part of maintaining spiritual health .
Chee, however, has always been somewhat of a skeptic when it comes to traditional ways . When Manuelito warned him not to enter the death hogan, he ignored her and went in anyway, saying, “It’s the job” . His current suffering is a direct result of that decision.
The production team takes these cultural elements seriously. The show employs cultural consultants Manny and Jennifer Wheeler, who work in the writers’ room and on set to ensure accuracy . Jennifer Wheeler, a Navajo language expert, even helps the actors with their line readings and makes sure traditional details like hairstyles and colors are correct.
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What’s Next for Jim Chee?
As of Episode 4, Chee’s condition is only getting worse. He managed to escape the party with Manuelito’s help, but Sonny saw them leaving together, meaning Chee’s undercover identity is likely blown . Meanwhile, Leaphorn was brutally attacked while watching from a nearby rooftop and left unconscious . With Joe down and Chee barely functioning, Manuelito may be the only officer left who can hold things together.
The season has been renewed for a fifth season, which will begin production soon and is scheduled for release in 2027 . But for now, fans are focused on how Chee will survive the remaining episodes.
Gordon’s portrayal of a man literally being consumed by his past has earned praise from critics and viewers alike. His description of Chee’s “inner turmoil” perfectly captures the essence of this season’s arc. The character is not just fighting criminals anymore. He is fighting his own mind, his own body, and the spiritual consequences of his choices.
Episode 5 is scheduled to air on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and will be available to stream on AMC+ at the same time . International viewers can catch the show on Netflix in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and India shortly after the U.S. broadcast . The season will run for eight total episodes, concluding on April 5, 2026 .
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Stay with VvipTimes for continuing coverage of Dark Winds Season 4, including exclusive recaps and updates on your favorite stars from the Navajo Tribal Police.
