Big changes are ahead for Fire Country Season 4 — some good and some bad.
As we saw during the Fire Country Season 3 finale, three main characters faced certain peril, and we already know that two cast members are done with the show.
I must admit that I have become numb to the show threatening to kill off members of the Leone family, only to have them miraculously survive — but that time may have passed.
As has been widely reported, the Fire Country cast will move on without Billy Burke (Battalion Chief Vince Leone) and Stephanie Arcila (Firefighter Gabriela Perez).
This is where fans will have mixed reactions about where the show is heading, but I am keeping hope alive that it opens some new doors for fresh storytelling.
The writers long ago ran out of stories to tell about Gabriela, having her bounce between Bode Donovan (played by Max Thieriot) and Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway).
Fire Country Season 3 Finale Left Many Questions
Deadline originally broke the news that Gabriela and Vince are done with Cal Fire.
The revelation created a situation where I expected the writers to wrap up the stories for those two characters, but, instead, I was left disappointed with how the Fire Country Season 3 finale played out.
As viewers will remember, we saw Vince, his wife, and his father caught in a fire at that memory care facility after Bode had been saved.
Bode was left to watch from outside as the roof collapsed on everyone, and Gabriela stood close by him.
It is presumed that Vince dies in the fire and that Gabriela leaves town for an as-yet-unexplained reason.
The way the finale was written, it seemed like Gabriela was set up to take the blame for shooting Finn (the man stalking Gabriela), but Audrey James (Leven Rambin) came clean.
I was exhausted by the Finn storyline and was ready for them to go in a different direction; I guess I got my wish.
Why Are Billy Burke and Stephanie Arcila Gone From Fire Country Cast?
According to Deadline, co-creator and executive producer Joan Rater said, “It really just comes down to what’s the best creatively.”
As for what will happen with Gabriela, at least we will get to see her return during Fire Country Season 4 to wrap up her storyline.
I’m pleased that we’ll see Gabriela again, possibly just for an episode or two, and that we aren’t forced to listen to other characters explain where she’s gone.
At least we can look forward to an explanation for why Gabriela is moving on to her next thing, but we won’t get answers about Vince for a while.
The show creators want to keep Fire Country fans guessing, so they won’t reveal precisely what happens with Vince, and the fate of his wife and father is also uncertain.
I get it. Revealing too many spoilers would be detrimental to the show, especially after news broke that key cast members were departing.
The good news is that all of these character developments could culminate in an opening at the chief position, which could keep Jake in town.
Gabriela’s exit will also create another opening for a firefighter/medic to join the team with fresh stories to tell, and that’s exciting.
I do want to see what Jake can do as the possible new boss, but the writers may also bring in someone to throw a wrench into things. Stay tuned for more news from CBS.
Are you ready to see Jake as Bode’s boss again, but this time with complete control over the firehouse?
Still here? You’re our kind of people.
Drop a word in the comments or share this with a fellow fan.
It’s the best way to support indie TV coverage that actually cares about the shows.
We want to hear from you!! Is this the best foot forward? Is CBS making a big mistake with all the show changes?
