Fire Country Season 3's Cliffhanger Promises A Bitter Development For 1 Character In Season 4

The consequences of Fire Country season 3’s cliffhanger ending impact the entirety of Edgewater and especially the Leones, but they can also make one development exceptionally brutal for one character in particular. 

Fire Country season 3 ending with Vince, Sharon and Walter in danger led to a heartbreaking scene with Bode on his knees as Jake stopped him from entering Buena Vista. The events of Fire Country season 3’s finale ensured Sharon and Vince would struggle with making the right decision, as Bode let himself be convinced by Walter to help him evacuate his memory care facility, disobeying Vince’s orders.

While Fire Country season 3’s finale aimed to highlight how Vince, Sharon and Walter could have all lost their lives, one unfortunate announcement spoiled Fire Country season 3’s cliffhanger. Indeed, with the confirmation of Vince’s Billy Burke and Gabriela’s Stephanie Arcila not returning as series regulars for Fire Country season 4, season 3’s ending acknowledged how Vince’s death is extremely likely, especially after Fire Country’s showrunner and co-creators expressed happiness at the possibility of Gabriela returning in the future. This upends one character’s major move, giving them what they wanted in Fire Country season 3 and creating their new enemies.

Vince's Likely Death In Fire Country Season 3's Finale Changes Jake's Path

Jake Was Set To Leave Station 42 For Butte Because He Wanted To Become Battalion Chief

Before Finn’s actions and the Zabel Ridge fire precipitated the crises in all the Fire Country season 3 characters’ stories, the major development of season 3, episode 19 was Jake’s last day as Station 42’s captain. Fire Country season 3, episode 18 had, after all, ended with Jake and Vince’s heart-to-heart, where the latter admitted it was easy for him to proclaim he never wished the former to go. At the same time, Vince also acknowledged how Jake deserved a promotion to battalion chief, something that could never happen at Station 42 because Vince didn’t want to retire.

Vince’s problem in Fire Country season 3, episode 19’s beginning was finding somebody who could fill in Jake’s shoes, and Sharon hastily threw her weight behind Manny taking over as Station 42’s captain, at least privately, expressing her idea to Manny. Fire Country season 3’s cliffhanger apparently eliminating Station 42’s higher management, threatening its division chief’s life and seemingly killing off its battalion chief, ominously paved the way for Jake’s promotion to battalion chief within Station 42 in Fire Country season 4, something that would be impossible if Vince survived.

Jake Progressing His Career In The Aftermath Of Vince's Death Can Enrage Bode & Sharon

Bode & Sharon Could View Jake's Career Progression As Profiting From Vince's Death

The circumstances of Buena Vista’s roof collapse can already provide Bode with an excuse to see Jake at fault. After all, Bode would have gone back into the building if it weren’t for Jake telling him to stand down – something Vince and Sharon had done mere moments before as they re-entered the building for Walter – and even physically restraining him after the first explosion.

With the roof collapse endangering Vince, Sharon and Walter, it’s unclear who will exit Buena Vista and in what conditions. However, even if Sharon manages to leave the building relatively unscathed or with non-threatening injuries, Vince’s likely death will greatly and negatively impact her. Sharon would never fault Jake for protecting Bode, something Bode would easily do, thinking his presence could have changed the outcome of the rescue.

However, even Sharon could be hurt and think badly of Jake if he took Vince’s battalion chief position in the aftermath of Vince’s death. Indeed, not only would Sharon and Bode have to go through losing Vince after having recently reunited as a family without the obstacle of Bode staying in Three Rock, but they also would have to witness Jake ending up where he wanted professionally as a direct consequence of Vince’s death, sinisterly benefiting from the tragedy.

How Jake Staying At Station 42 Can Cement His Role As A Villain

Vince's Death Can Clearly Show Why Jake Isn't Family To Bode & Sharon

Jake’s revived villain role in Fire Country season 3 was exemplified in his spreading discord and refusing to follow orders because of the Leone drama. Even before then, though, Jake’s relationships with the Leones were less solid. No matter how Walter reiterated that Jake was family, the difference between Jake and Vince’s relationship and Vince and Bode’s couldn’t be more visible than when they were all Station 42’s firefighters. After the years Vince spent treating Eve and Jake as his firefighting heirs, Bode’s return and their reconciliation pushed Jake out specifically, as Eve had already moved on to Three Rock.

Even if Jake had never wanted Vince dead to get the battalion chief promotion, the problems between him and Vince right before Fire Country season 3’s cliffhanger ending risk souring his bonds with the Leones, even more so were he to accept taking over Vince’s position. This can ruin Jake and Bode’s friendship and make it more difficult for Jake to be viewed as family in the delicate aftermath of Vince’s death, effectively cementing Jake as a villain during the most difficult time for Bode and Sharon in Fire Country season 4.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.