At the same time, Leaphorn has been struggling internally with hisguilt over B.J.
Vines' death, a situation he has kept Chee in the dark about for far too long.
Chances are her human trafficking case is connected, despite the miles separating her from Chee.
Kiowa Gordon: I think these guys know each other now.
We’ve been through some mud together.
As men did back in the ’70s, they kept everything pretty close to their chest.
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It’s a lot more of, “Yes, sir.
We’ve got to do our job, but I’m also going to question you at times.”
It’s a nice give and take, I think.
Vines, so I have to tread lightly.
I also see him as a pseudo father figure, so I want that connection.
ScreenRant: Speaking of Vines, Leaphorn is obviously suffering severe guilt over leaving B.J.
to die, and its manifesting in supernatural ways.
He’s got to give him something there, and he can’t just completely write it off.
He knows Leaphorn’s acting strange, and this isn’t normal for him.
But also, Jim would take Joe’s secret to the grave if he had to.
Because that’s just the kind of guy Jim Chee is for the people that he cares about.
Where was that leaving the two of you?
Kiowa Gordon: I always think back to the phone call in episode 2, which was great.
We did that in two days.
I was tearing up in that moment, and it was like, “What the heck?
I’m not even doing this scene.
I’m just reading it to her.”
Just listening to her and watching her, I can feel how we’re pining over each other.
But they’re not really together, so whatever.
If she wants a side piece?
She can have it.
If not by the end of season 3, in future seasons?
Kiowa Gordon: Yeah, I think it’s good to hold onto the hope.
That’s what Jim’s holding onto.
He’s not going to let go of Bernadette that easily.
How much does that backstory cloud Chee’s judgment this season?
It impairs you, and you get filled with rage.
I think there’s a lot of animosity inside of Chee, and he has to blame someone.
Especially when there’s a dead child and his son is involved.
Jim’s like, “Hey, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
I think it’s Chee’s duty to figure that out.
He’s never had to really fight his demons before.
He’s always put them away, but now he has to confront them.
ScreenRant: Jim Chee was very dismissive of Navajo traditions and spirituality in season 1.
Does his outlook change throughout season 3, and what would it take to make him a believer?
Kiowa Gordon: Yeah, I think he has to lighten up.
He has to see things from a 360-degree angle.
You have to get a bird’s eye view on these things.
you could’t just rush into it like he did in the first couple of episodes.
I had to have a go at appeal to him, “Let’s go preserve your son.
I’m going to put all that aside for now to keep your kid.”
He doesn’t deserve what’s coming for him.
Now that he sees what Joe’s going through, it’s changing him.
Chee’s skeptical, but he sees something that makes him a little sympathetic.
I’d like to see that explored.
One of my favorite Tony Hillerman books was The Ghostway, and I’d want to see that onscreen.
ScreenRant: Have the writers already talked to you about what is happening for season 4?
Kiowa Gordon: We got the first script, and I see where it’s at.
I’ve read this book it’s based on, and it’s so interesting.
It’s going to be a big, ambitious season, so I’m excited.
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