The Biggest Leone Tragedy Is Secretly Great For Fire Country's Original Villain

Warning! SPOILERS about Fire Country season 3, episode 20 ahead.

What Fire Country season 3’s very ending foreshadowed with the Leones stuck in Buena Vista as the roof collapsed can have unexpected advantages for Fire Country’s original villain in season 4. Fire Country season 3 ended on a cliffhanger after Bode brought Otto to safety, but Vince and Sharon had to re-enter the building to find Walter, as his confusion setting in made him return to Buena Vista. Fire Country season 3 ending with Sharon, Vince and Walter still in the building as the roof collapsed made it easy to think of the worst, but someone could benefit from it.

Throughout Fire Country, the Leones were always seen as a key part of the fabric of Edgewater, whether because they’re firefighters from generations, or because of the time they spend helping the town and its residents. Aside from feuds in a class of their own, like Elroy Edwards’ anger at Vince in Fire Country season 3 because of Eve being treated like a daughter by the Leones, which gave Eve another reason to wait to patch things up with her family, the Leones are generally well-liked. Still, tragedy befalling the Leones might unexpectedly benefit someone who is family to them.

Vince Is Likely Going To Die In Fire Country Season 4

Billy Burke Reportedly Won't Be A Series Regular In Fire Country Season 4

Fire Country season 3’s finale left Vince, Sharon and Walter’s fates unknown, as nothing that appeared onscreen explained who survived, if anyone. The Leone tragedy might nevertheless involve only one of them, specifically Vince, as Deadline reported Billy Burke won’t return as a series regular in Fire Country season 4. This makes Fire Country season 3’s ending particularly heartbreaking, as it will likely mean Vince will die while Sharon and Bode will have to learn to live without him. Although Bode and Sharon can also rely on their extended Station 42 family, Vince’s death might make things difficult with Jake.

Vince's Death Paves The Way For Jake To Achieve His Goal In Fire Country

Jake Was Leaving Station 42 In Fire Country S3 Because He Wanted His Career To Progress

One key Fire Country season 3 storyline involving Jake focused on his wish to progress in his career. While Jake never showed signs of discontent about where he worked, seeming happy to be captain at Station 42, Bode joining the firehouse disrupted the balance. Bode didn’t do anything wrong, but his being there influenced Vince, prompting him to mention more than once that Station 42 was Bode’s inheritance. Seeing Vince imply Station 42 would go to Bode, after the Leones always insisted Jake was family, unnerved Jake, especially in the context of the Leones treating the firehouse as their home.

While there was animosity at times, especially as Jake openly complained about the impossibility of climbing up the ladder within Station 42 to his firefighters, instead of talking it out with Vince, they still amicably decided it was time for Jake to move on. Jake gave his notice to Vince because there was no way he would have become Battalion Chief anytime soon, as Vince had no intention of leaving that post. However, Vince's death would free up the post, making it possible for Jake to grow within Station 42 instead of going to Butte for his career to progress.

What Jake Becoming Battalion Chief Means For Fire Country Season 4

Jake Benefiting From Vince's Death Means The Leones Might Resent Him

Sharon’s call to Manny to suggest that he should take the position freed up by Jake’s move and become Station 42’s captain in Fire Country season 3, episode 19 hints that Jake might not have his former job in Fire Country season 4. Still, Vince’s death opening up the Battalion Chief position makes it possible for Jake to apply, even if the timing would be terrible, risking turning Jake into Fire Country’s villain at last. Indeed, were Jake to get the Battalion Chief position, he would effectively get everything he ever wanted from the tragic occurrence of Vince’s untimely death.

Jake becoming Battalion Chief thanks to Vince’s death would never sit right with Bode and Sharon, who could easily consider it a betrayal. Vince’s likely demise would already hit Bode and Sharon hard, as they planned on fighting fire as a family for longer, something that they couldn’t do, instead having to grieve Vince. However, Jake getting what he couldn’t have had because Vince didn’t want to retire following Vince’s death would be too painful to deal with for Bode and Sharon, especially in the immediate aftermath of Vince’s death, making Jake possibly their enemy in Fire Country season 4.