I know the empath thing was going to be an issue for people, but I swear I have justification for the idea that maaaaaaaaybe he might be one in the show. ALL WILL BE REVEALED. :D

I read your comment and slapped my head. "OF COURSE! HE SHOULD BE NATIVE AMERICAN!" and I would totally go back and rewrite him as one if I felt I knew enough about California Native American cultures to do so....