Entertainment
‘Fire Country’s Perfect Season Finale Proves It’s Officially Time To Reset the Show
Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for the Fire Country Season 4 finale.If something felt off about the Fire Country Season 4 finale, “Try Not To Down,” that’s because the show did something completely unusual from the norm. It was the first season finale in the show’s history that didn’t end with a cliffhanger. In fact, the finale more closely resembles a series finale where everything gets wrapped up. The ending was peculiar, but it generally worked, especially in comparison to Sheriff Country‘s finale. Now, Fire Country needs to capitalize on the opportunity that its Season 4 finale presents, so the series can completely reinvent itself for the upcoming fifth season.
‘Fire Country’ Season 4 Ended Happily for Everyone
The Fire Country Season 4 ending serves as a stark contrast with the way Season 3 left off, with the lives of Vince Leone (Billy Burke), Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), and Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey) hanging in the balance, as they were trapped in a burning building. It was later revealed that Vince perished off-screen in the Season 4 premiere, with his passing leaving a huge void at Station 42. However, Season 4 left the series and the main characters in a much better place than where they began, and they all earned some positive developments.
Bode (Max Thieirot) makes amends with Danny Marks (Mike O’Malley), the man whom he assaulted years earlier. Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway) marries his girlfriend, Violet (Nesta Cooper), and their wedding goes off without a hitch. Bode even donates his father’s wedding ring to the ceremony, playing as a tender, healing moment for him. After mourning Vince’s loss, Sharon is finally moving on with her life and is about to go on a trip with the handsome mechanic, Alexei (Brett Tucker), and she’s long overdue for a nice vacation. Manny Perez (Kevin Alejandro) is happily in a relationship with the nice doctor, Camille (Natalie Zea), who saved Manny’s ex-wife, Roberta (Paola Núñez), when she was facing a life-threatening aneurysm and damage to the hospital from a flood. Not to mention, Bode finally confesses his love for his girlfriend, Chloe (Alona Tal), and it looks like he has turned a major corner. The finale features happy endings all around for everyone. No helicopters crashed at the wedding, and nobody returned to prison. It was a refreshing change that Fire Country didn’t try to throw in a shocking twist at the end.
It’s Time for Bode To Move on From His Troubled Past
Bode resolving the Danny Marks conflict showcases how Bode is finally putting his dark past to bed and moving on with his life. Far too often, Fire Country dwells on Bode’s guilt and life of crime after the accident leading to his sister’s death. Bode would constantly make ridiculous mistakes and take the fall for others due to his martyrdom. Bode worried about reciprocating Chloe’s feelings because he feared he’d go back to prison or something worse would happen to him. Bode letting go of his fears of sharing his love for Chloe should represent a fresh start for the character, which is crucial for his growth. Truthfully, Bode’s constant brooding about his mistakes, along with his nearly relapsing on opioids earlier in the season, became a tiresome subplot throughout Season 4.
When Season 5 opens, Bode needs to be more confident and sure of himself. He made CAL Fire’s elite Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) team in Season 4, which is a prestigious role. Previously, Bode constantly allowed his past sins and transgressions to define his character arc. Considering Bode helped and forgave Tyler Mackenzie, the teen responsible for the fire that led to his father’s death, Bode finally recognizes the positive influence he can have on people’s lives and the importance of forgiveness. Season 5 should be the start of a new chapter for Bode as a full-fledged firefighter.
‘Fire Country’ Season 4’s Ending Should Mark a New Era
When Fire Country starts its fifth season, the latest ending should reset the narrative, so it will come off like a brand-new era when it returns. Season 4 was a transitional one, addressing the succession of Vince’s leadership, Manny becoming the new battalion chief, Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila) leaving Edgewater, Sharon and Bode dealing with Vince’s loss, and Jake reconnecting with his long-lost brother, Malcolm (Dominic Goodman). All those subplots have been addressed. Characters have adjusted to their roles and new routines.
Fire Country will not feel like the same show next season. Viewers can likely expect Manny to exhibit more confidence as the Battalion Chief, and his personal relationships should be stronger than ever, especially with Camille and Roberta. Sharon deserves some peace and happiness after everything she’s experienced, so she can start progressing her relationship with Alexei. Additionally, Sharon shouldn’t have to worry about Bode relapsing or going back to prison. Her son is a firefighter, and that’s worrisome enough. Jake will also be dealing with married life with Violet in Season 4, along with the challenge of his brother Malcolm being part of his crew. Essentially, Season 4’s finale needs to signify the main characters’ progress and moving into new chapters of their lives, representing positive changes for everyone.
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