Fire Country set the small screen on fire when it premiered.
An intriguing premise, coupled with exhilarating emergencies, captivated millions of viewers.
Fire Country Season 1 was a rollercoaster as they were introduced to the small town of Edgewater and some people who responded to the call, despite the risk to their lives.
At the center of it all was Bode, who was a fascinating and aggravating character in equal measure.
However, the first season ended on a terrible note as the writers undid all the work put into the show’s ultimate goal and returned viewers to square one.
The show would return for a sophomore season, but like most shows in that post-writers’ strike season, it was easily forgettable and didn’t make much of an impact.
However, it did what the first failed to do and got Bode out of prison.
The third season rolled around last year, and a lot hinged on it. It was the season that would make or break the show.
It was interesting to see how the writers would handle getting Bode back into free society and how that might affect his behavior.
And Fire Country Season 3 rose to the occasion, fully fleshing out the story and the characters, and everyone made significant progress in their lives.
For the first time, all characters felt balanced in their exploration.
The show delved into the Leone family history to provide a deeper understanding of characters like Vince.
The promise of the first season came together as Bode got his freedom. This was proof that redemption was possible, even for someone like Bode.
It was satisfying on an emotional level.
As we head into Fire Country Season 4, it’s essential that the show focuses on its strengths and addresses its weaknesses if it’s to stand a chance in the highly competitive CBS landscape.
Keep Bode’s Antics to a Minimum
No one wants to watch a show where the main character does stupid stuff just because they can.
I’m not saying that Bode should be changed in the fourth season, but the writers should find a way to keep him from succumbing to his worst instinct.
Fire Country Season 3 achieved this by dangling the possibility of him going back to prison.
Meanwhile, Vince was paying attention, and whenever Bode seemed like he was going rogue, Vince would keep him in check.
This is one of the reasons why Billy Burke’s Vince Leone should not leave the show. He’s Bode’s antidote.
Add More Dimensions to Other Characters
The first season leaned too heavily on the Leones to the detriment of other characters.
Many, like Eve Edwards, felt out of place in the narrative.
I often lamented how the show used her as a trauma dump.
Fire Country Season 3 took us to her home, and we met her family. We learned her history, goals, and dreams.
The season removed Gabriela Perez from Bode’s orbit, and she experienced so much growth.
Fire Country Season 4 should explore these characters and build Jake’s world outside the firehouse.
Balanced character exploration is suitable for any show because viewers need someone to root for, and not everyone will identify with Bode, Sharon, or any other character.
However, one of the many in the ensemble will undoubtedly win a viewer over.
And for Fire Country, it’s even more important to focus on other characters because that reduces Bode’s screentime, and he doesn’t have the opportunity to pull another antic.
That’s the most important.
Thrilling Emergencies? Give Me More!
There isn’t much to complain about regarding Fire Country’s emergencies.
In most instances, they outshine other shows due to their variety and scale.
Even if someone is not a fan of the soapy drama, the exhilarating rescues and dangers are enough to keep them on the edge of their seats.
