Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 13 ‘The Finest’ and Fire Country Season 4, Episode 13 ‘The Bravest’ had us glued to the screen for two hours’ worth of television. We’d even go further to say this was one of Sheriff Country‘s best episodes yet. This crossover was filled with meaningful character interactions, action-packed moments, and is unforgettable for the case alone; which was well-developed and had us interested from the moment we saw the bus explosion. Because there were tons of questions that needed answers. This case brought our Sheriff deputy team, along with CalFire, to their limits to save the day.
The overall emergency began in ‘The Finest’ when the rival softball game between these hostile departments was broken up by a school bus explosion. The first hour was made up of Edgewater’s first responders trying to solve this arson turned kidnapping case of nine missing high school students. Whereas ‘The Bravest’ put Boone and Bode directly into conflict when they find the underground container where the kids were buried alive. When a sudden bomb goes off, they fall into the bunker with them. Now, both teams have to put differences aside to not only save innocent kids caught in a scheme but two of their own.
In partnering characters from both shows together, everyone also got the chance to grow and reflect on themselves. Which is never a bad thing. Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 13 ‘The Finest’ and Fire Country Season 4, Episode 13 ‘The Bravest’ told a well-balanced and emotional story about who and what truly matters when you’re up against the odds. Even from the antagonist’s perspective. The answer is family and those you care about and want to protect.
Mickey, Sharon, and Feeling Understood
Sometimes, families fight over stupid things that shouldn’t be worth the energy to argue. Like being late to gatherings or debating what to make for dinner. However, there are times where families fight when having hard conversations.
In ‘The Finest,’ the hard conversation to be had between these two sisters was about boundaries and respect. Sharon and Mickey were divided in this crossover with Sharon’s mother Ruby as the cause for their turmoil. We could tell that Sharon didn’t want to see Ruby when she walked into Mickey’s house and saw her there. And when she expressed this to her sister expecting support, she was met with Mickey standing her ground. She wouldn’t turn her stepmother away.
Understandably, we get why Sharon felt betrayed by Mickey. It must hurt to see your sister get close to someone who you have a complicated history with. But Sharon needed to see that both of their relationships with her are different. She has no control over how other people view her mother. Although we don’t know the reasons why Sharon has spent years being frustrated with Ruby, we could tell most of them are emotionally driven. Because feeling unsupported by Mickey for “siding” with her made Sharon give an immediate ultimatum. Mickey could either choose her or Ruby.
If Sharon was that impulsive, her heart hurts when thinking about Ruby. That’s a pain she’ll only get over if she confronts, communicates her feelings, and listens to whatever her mother has to say. Because we think Wes is right in saying children have the control to reconcile with a troubled parent. She has the power here. And we think after ‘The Finest’, Sharon will begin towing the line. Or at the very least, begin to heal from the pain. It’s all up to her if she wants to see her mother in a new light. However, if you were to ask us, Sharon wouldn’t give Ruby the time to defend herself from her mean comments about her narcissism because she doesn’t want to believe she’s changed.
Mickey and Sharon spent most of ‘The Finest’ butting heads on their investigation. They hadn’t snapped out of their ignorance until Sharon stepped on the landmine. Because they were reminded of how precious their relationship with each other and with their families are. Life is too short to be avoidant. When you can fix a relationship by having a conversation and lending ear to understand why a loved one is upset with you, you should take it. So, in the end, we’re glad that both women apologized for hurting each other. Their relationship is too important to let a parent get between them.
MORE: Missed last week’s episode? Read our Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 12 ‘The Aftermath’ Review HERE!
Boone, Bode, and Saving The Day
Boone and Bode struggled to get on the same page in ‘The Finest’ and ‘The Bravest.’ And we saw their hostility toward each other coming from a mile away after their fight at the softball game. It wasn’t about losing for Boone. It was the fact that Bode didn’t follow the rules to strike him out and he was reckless.
Obviously, Boone is a cop and Bode was a prisoner turned firefighter. They have different codes of conduct as first responders. But they’re also bound to clash heads as men who walked different paths in life. We could tell early on that Boone believed he was in charge of their partnership. The one who was always right in the decisions to make about the case as the rule follower. For example, he yelled at Bode to stay clear from ruining the crime scene in a moment where Bode was getting restless in wanting to find the kids himself. Then, Boone complimenting Bode’s knowledge of bomb particles sounded both sincere and backhanded. As if he didn’t believe he was capable of knowing such a thing.
Everything changed once they got trapped, however, since now they had to rely on each other to get themselves and the kids back to safety above ground. That’s not to say they didn’t have moments of connection and being on the same page before this. Because they did. They solved the mystery of how the bomb used in the bus explosion was made. Boone tackled Bode’s sketchy contact who they thought would help them. But he only punched him. Finally, they also found out where the kids were located together.
As dark as it may be, fighting for their lives was the thing to bind them together as a unit. Not as two strangers working the same case. When Boone felt like he couldn’t breathe while struggling with a panic attack, he asked Bode to calm him down with directions and that’s exactly what he did. When the kids gave them hints on who their kidnappers were, they worked together in scrabble to get the information back to Mickey. If Bode was asking him to do something, Boone was doing it. Same thing vice versa. Because there was no other option. They had to trust each other in order to survive.
So, it doesn’t matter if they got called to the job for different reasons. Boone needed someone to remind him that it’s important to lean on people when you need them. And Bode needed the reminder that following evidence, and the rules, wasn’t so bad sometimes. It would be okay to slow down and read the room before making the choice to accidentally pull a bomb trigger. They were a big part in saving lives in ‘The Finest’ and ‘The Bravest’ because they’re both passionate about their responsibility and love for doing just that.
Other Crossover Thoughts
- Everyone looks cute in their softball uniforms.
- Sharon obviously doesn’t want her mom here.
- Oh Mickeyyy that is not what Sharon wanted to hear.
- Happy to see Hank in somewhat of a spotlight!
- Mickey is so bad at pitching that it’s endearing.
- Big fire!
- WHERE ARE THE KIDS! (Thankfully, not inside this bus).
- Sharon and Mickey being mad at each other makes me sad. (Why are Bode and Boone fighting ALREADY? Put the bats down).
- Understandably, these parents are freaking out. But I would need them far away from me so I could focus on finding their kids. I’m overstimulated already.
- Mickey is so much stronger than me. She was meant to be a leader.
- This ransom caller is getting annoying. Can he stop?
- THIS IS A LIVE STREAM?
- I love it when Wes can interact with other characters besides Mickey. He may be snarky and opinionated, but Eve looks to be cut from the same cloth. They both care about protecting the vulnerable and giving them space to be themselves.
- I want to know more about Ruby because Sharon does not like her at all. Was she a bad mom after breaking up with Wes?
- Is anyone else stressed out and also unable to look away?
- Something bad is going to happen at the Quarry.
- (I KNEW IT).
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN BOONE AND BODE ARE UNDERGROUND!
- At least, the kids are safe. Those two strong men will save you.
- Sharon! Don’t move your foot or even dare say goodbye.
- Woah. Boone on the verge of tears panicking about his claustrophobia kicking in. Why am I gonna cry?
- The crossword game was so clever.
- No. Seriously. That rescue scene almost made me cry. Bode encouraging Boone to dig and face his fear to save them….WOW.
- It was a team effort to uncover the kidnappers. Truly. Mickey would not have been able to solve this case without Ruby, Boone, Sharon, or Bode.
- You’re telling me the kidnappers wanted to kidnap kids as a PAYBACK because the government took their land away? I get the motives but…still awful.
- Boone and Bode’s partnership started off with them yelling in each other’s faces and then ended with a friendly pool game after escaping death together. #growth.
Sheriff Country airs on Fridays at 8 pm EST on CBS.
My DVR cut off right as Bodie and Boone ended up in the bunker with the kids!!! What happened? I’m going crazy! I don’t know why I didn’t get the end. Someone please clue me in! Thanx