I never thought that I would say that Fire Country broke my heart, but it definitely did this week. It was emotional on so many levels, but in the best and worst ways. Why the best? Well, that’s because it reminded us what the importance of family and friends is and how we need to be there. Why the worst? Because we saw just how hard it is to find redemption and ask for it.
Fire Country‘s strength is not necessarily the procedural part of the show – the fires and the life saving. Their strength is telling stories about characters and growing them. While I don’t think everyone is perfect, I do believe that as every episode passes, what they do is find a way to make them grow.
This week, we’re hit from the beginning with the reality of what it feels like to be helpless. Sharon and Vince need to tell Bode about her condition and that is bringing a lot of emotions to life. She has to go on her own, with Vince on the phone. Bode instantly wants to donate a kidney, to figure out what he can do. He’s willing to give a kidney if necessary.
He loves his parents. I think that they all regret all of the time that was wasted and the things that were said. When Bode asks Sharon what he can do – she tells him to be on his best behavior. He has a parole hearing in just over five months and his Moms condition tells him that he needs to listen to her.
Bode getting in trouble and not being responsible has even pushed Manny to the point where he tells Bode he’s not doing him anymore favors. This is a big blow to Bode, but I also think that he needed a rude awakening. Why? Because he keeps fucking up and not thinking about how dangerous his actions are.
Manny does tell Bode that he’s been doing all he can because of Sharon’s condition, but he has to worry about himself too. Luke is after Sharon’s job and with all the shit that Manny’s done – if Luke gets that job, Manny could be in trouble. Bode doesn’t think his Uncle would ever do that, but well we all believe that he will. Luke isn’t to be trusted.
For Bode, he does realize that nothing is going to be easy. He does realize that he needs to make amends with people in his life. For him – that means Jake. Look, the two of them have every reason to be mad at each other. It’s a fair statement. But there is no part of me that doesn’t believe that these two don’t miss each other, however neither will back down.
Bode wants Jake to know that him and Gabriella are just friends and Jake wants Bode to know his place. The thing is though – neither one of these men should be speaking on her behalf. She has the right to be friends with whomever she wants and loves whomever she wants. So what makes either one of them think that they have the right to speak for her.
I do however think that the conversation was important – because the two of them are going to work together on a call. A girl went over the edge of a cliff while trying to take a selfie. The only way down is to repel down, and it’s something that Bode and Jake used to do for fun. They are forced to do it after Eve had to be cut from a helicopter when her rope got stuck.
She’s injured. The girl is injured. They need to work together to get down there.
The truth is, in this episode Eve is the MVP. She dislocated her shoulder and still manages to make it over to the girl to help her. Eve is consistently putting others before herself and that’s admirable. What I also do believe is that Eve deserves more of a storyline and we need to know more about her relationships, her friendships, and lives.
One thing that I would like to see is more insight to the secondary characters lives and their lives outside of the job. I know we see them at the bar, but I feel like what we’re seeing is that their lives are the fire fighting of it all. One thing that a lot of shows fall short at is realizing the power of their secondary characters.
Fire Country, at his heart is Bode’s story. However, it’s also definitely an ensemble show. We need to examine the way that all of these characters lives are moving forward and how they are moving forward. It’s the story of this town and I want to know more about the people, the town, and why these people matter to each other.
They are able to rescue the girl who fell over the edge and Eve, it’s the way that all of the teams worked together to make it happen that is the inspiring part. The moment that Manny realizes how good Gabriella is at the job and how much she loves it, and he is proud of her.
Bode had told Eve and Jake that Sharon was sick. He didn’t mean to tell them, but he did. And the two of them take that to heart. Sharon and Vince are family.
And you’re there for family.
Being on the job that day, Bode behaved. His working with Jake made him realize what he feels like he needs to do. He needs to tell Gabriella that they can’t see each other anymore, even if they are just friends. The heartbreak on her face is a lot to take, because you do see that there are a lot of feelings in her heart for Bode.
Gabriella may be with Jake, but I feel like she really has feelings for Bode. I don’t think that them staying away from each other is something that either of them will be able to do easily.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Luke covering for Vince is suspect
- Sharon going off on Luke – I applauded.
Fire Country airs Fridays on CBS.
