‘Fire Country’ 1×03 Review: “Where There’s Smoke…” 

You’re not the worst thing you’ve ever done.

Eight words that alone are so simple, but if you put them all together, it’s eight powerful words. Eight powerful words that this weeks Fire Country served us with, leaving an impression that makes you think.

It makes you think about all of the things that we’ve learned in three episodes of the drama, Fire Country. Yet, also, what it did for me personally was open me up to listening to more of the stories that are happening here. It didn’t make me change my thoughts about Jake or Vince, but made me wonder, who is worthy of redemption?

Aren’t we all?

Should we think about the way that people change versus the things that they’ve done?

Is it fair that we only do that for some?

I know that I overthink, but that’s me. I didn’t expect this show to do just that for me, but it did. It made me think about the characters on this show and what is happening. Because every single time that I think that I can trust someone, I find myself knowing that I know nothing.

Bode is riddled with guilt over his sisters death and night after night, relives the moment that she passed. He blames himself for her death and is trapped inside that circle of regret and pain. It doesn’t help that the people that he was supposed to be able to count on weren’t there for him.

Vince told him to leave and Bode did just that. Leaving everything behind, crushing his Mom, but also causing himself irreparable harm. Whereas Bode is trapped in this pain, Vince has just moved on like nothing has happened.

And I feel like that’s part of what makes me dislike him the most. Vince shows no regret. He shows nothing. He really just irritates the crap out of me.

Like we get it, Bode wasn’t perfect. He isn’t even close. Yet, who is? Vince sure as f**k isn’t.

But, here we are. And Bode is doing his best to turn his life around, even though he’s incarcerated. Sharon wants her son to turn his life around and believe that he can. Vince believes that she’s coddling Bode and won’t go to see his son. As the two are having discussions about it, there is word that there is a fire.

Vince gets a little bit of a reprieve, because the fire gives him an excuse. Yet, as shitty as this sounds, I believe that he would have found an excuse to not go anyways.

The fire is at Maynor Mountain, which in the area is known for people living in the mountains, and illegal drugs grown up there. It’s a dangerous place and well known. So all of the firefighters know that they are walking into danger. As they are preparing to fight the fire, a teen comes down the mountain, covered in flames.

Vince and Jake run over to save him. He’s holding tight to a bag, and mumbling, but what we finally learn is that his friend is still up on the mountain and needs help.

Now, maybe Jake and Vince are redeemable because they save people at their job and will do anything for their job. So we’ll put something in the positive column for them, because everyone deserves something in the positive column. Still don’t like them.

The two head off in search of the teens friend, and when they find him, he’s fallen through a trap and has a huge spike through his leg. As the two make plans to go and get him, Mojave and his band of thugs show up. Mojave is a known grower and he’s wanting to protect his crops. He doesn’t like cops or firefighters, or anyone that has the potential to destroy his crops.

Mojave and his peeps tie up Jake and Vince, not allowing them to help the teen.

Now, meanwhile at basecamp, the convict’s squad has shown up to help. They are working at cutting line and doing what they can to contain the fire.

What I love and can’t say enough about is the relationship between Manny and Bode. Manny has made his mistakes and he knows that his mistakes can define him or he can grow and learn from them. He’s taking that knowledge and trying to encourage all of the people under his watch to also learn.

Manny is making sure that Bode hears that. He’s the one that tells Bode, “You’re not the worst thing you’ve ever done.” It’s what Bode needs to hear, because for Bode, he’s believing that he is the worst thing that he’s ever done. And it’s truly hard to watch and sad to see. Yet, watching the show you realize just how talented this cast is because Max Theiriot, for instance, really makes you believe that Bode believes that he is, and when you look in his eyes, you see that Bode believes just that.. that he is the worst thing.

When word comes across that Vince and Jake are being held hostage, Bode knows that Mojave isn’t going to listen to the cops. So he convinces Manny that they need to go and reason with him. I know that Bode told his Mom that he’s there to save as many lives as possible, but what goes to show me the type of man he is, is that he’s not willing to turn his back on the men that turned his back on him.

And I am not sure that Vince or Jake would have that kind of conviction to helping people. They both have such a chip on their shoulder when it comes to Bode, but Bode is willing to put all of his anger aside to make sure they both survive.

That’s a testament to the kind of man that he is.

Manny and Bode are able to head up the mountain and reason with Mojave. When they approach the camp – which kudos for being able to find – it seems as though Mojave is going to shoot them, but what shocks me even more, is that Vince calls Bode, his son.

Words I never thought I would hear.

The relationship with Bode and Vince is so toxic that it will take a lot of healing. Yet, we’re seeing signs of love and pain between the two. Yet that parental bond is still there and it’s one thing that won’t break, no matter the cruelness.

If it wasn’t for Bode going up that mountain and making sure that his father and Jake could get out safe, who knows what would have happened. Bode has show that his heart is big and that he’s definitely changed his life around. Vince is having a hard time seeing it.

Until his son takes control of the situation and makes sure that everyone is okay.

I understand that some people need to see proof that something has changed. But for me that doesn’t excuse the gross behavior before they see it. It doesn’t make anything better. In life we’re all spending time judging people as a defense mechanism, but the truth is if we did less of that and really saw that people can grow – life would be better.

While I get that we’re going to need Vince and Bode’s relationship to heal, this feels a little too fast in the storyline. I also know that just because Vince is seeing a different side of his son, it doesn’t mean that they are going to be perfect.

And they aren’t. Even when Vince goes to the camp later that night to talk to Bode and make his apologies, we see that it will take time for them to heal. Bode doesn’t know what to believe coming out of his fathers mouth.

Hell, none of us do.

Vince tells Bode that it should be him with him at Cal Fire. He says that he should have been treating him like his son all along. Vince knows that he’s treated Jake better than Bode.

I am all for Vince’s apologies, but also aware that Bode doesn’t have to forgive him. As with all apologies, it’s a two way street. So, Bode telling his father that he’s not having it – no shocker here. He calls attention to the fact that he’s been the fall guy for all of the families issues. It’s fair for him to be angry. It’s fair for Bode to not want to be a part of the family that turned their back on him.

When Bode drops the bombshell that Riley died with a broken heart due to Jake… I am not sure how Vince takes it. He seems confused, but it’s evident that he doesn’t know.

Riley is not perfect, but at least he is honest about his shortcomings and mistakes.

OTHER THOUGHTS

• I really wish that I could like Jake or Vince, but I don’t.
• Eve training at Cal Fire shows her dedication to her job – it’s a way of life
• I wanted to like Gabriella, but I hate her with Jake and I don’t like the fact that she’s okay with what he did to Riley. But I appreciate she’s encouraging him to come clean.
• Jake and his holier than though complex… OVER IT.
• The way Jake reacts when Bode shows up, he deserves to be punched.
• Manny and the way he’s dedicated to his job – it’s inspiring. I can understand why he’s inspired by the inmates also. He really wants to make a difference.
• The guy who has a hard time with training day one… idiot
• Gabriella and her dedication to training – is it cause she loves the job or is it because she’s used to training
• Sharon trying to pull her son off the fire shows clouded judgement. Help was needed and I can get wanting to protect your kid, but like also – he wants to prove himself. Let him.

Fire Country airs Fridays on CBS.