Fire Country follows the Cal Fire team and the physical and metaphysical fires that they face. The series centers around Bode (Max Thieriot), an inmate who is a part of the California Conservation Camp Program. In this role, he works as a firefighter alongside fellow inmates and civilian professionals. His parents, Sharon (Diane Farr) and Vince (Billy Burke), are also firefighting professionals. The series follows this family as they reconnect after a massive tragedy and how they fit into their larger community.
The best episodes of Fire Country combine daring rescues with poignant, character-driven storytelling. Some episodes, like “No Good Deed,” focus on Bode and Vince’s relationship, which starts out quite rocky. Other episodes, like “This Storm Will Pass,” feature wild and dangerous emergencies with massive shakeups for the ensemble. Each of the most meaningful Fire Country episodes showcases the depth of these characters and their respective dynamic stories.
10 “Off the Rails”
Season 1, Episode 18
“Off the Rails” is an episode close to the end of the premiere season. The members of Cal Fire respond to a train crash, where it becomes clear that the train was carrying illicit materials. Bode is also up for parole in this episode and is focused on what this means for his future. This episode also features Eve (Jules Latimer) reckoning with so much of the trauma she has been through up to this point in the story.
“Off the Rails” is Fire Country at its best, particularly regarding Eve’s character development. While exposure to trauma is sure to be a reality in any story (fictional or otherwise) about first responders, Fire Country has taken its time to delve into this part of the characters’ lives. As Eve has taken on more of a leadership role, it makes sense that she would have to process all of the trauma that she has faced up to this point. This is the start of her healing process.
9 “Two Pink Lines”
Season 1, Episode 12
In “Two Pink Lines,” the inmate firefighters team up with their civilian counterparts to respond to a massive forest fire that is caused by a plane crash. They encounter a man who refuses to leave his home despite the impending danger. The firehouse also welcomes a new member, Collin (Zach Tinker), who comes from a family of firefighters. Bode also finds out that he is a match for his mother, Sharon, as she searches for a potential kidney donor.
Fire Country is no stranger to massive drama, and this episode is a prime example of this. “Two Pink Lines” showcases so much of what this series does best, which is big emergencies paired with intense family drama. This episode showcases Vince’s expertise in particular and how he validated a man’s experience while they were both in the middle of a life-and-death situation. This episode was also a pivotal moment for the Leone family overall, with new hope for Sharon on the horizon as she looks to recover from her illness.
8 “Bad Guy”
Season 1, Episode 8
“Bad Guy” is a mid-season finale with a lot of emotional weight and a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. The Leones must confront their past as a family and recognize the grief they still collectively face. The firefighters respond to a car accident involving a brother and sister. The team has to make tough choices to ensure that both are rescued. Emotions run high and get in the way, but the emergency demands that each responder be at their best to rescue this family.
When looking at Fire Country‘s future, it is essential to look at each character’s past. This episode is a pinnacle moment for Bode and Vince, especially, as they finally have to address their family’s loss and how it continues to impact their lives. Until this episode, Bode and Vince have had so much left unsaid between them, and this is a moment for everything to come to a head. “Bad Guy” is the beginning of Bode and Vince healing together and reckoning with how their past continues to impact them.
7 “A Hail Mary”
Season 2, Episode 7
Near the end of the second season, Fire Country desperately needed a change, of course. “A Hail Mary” was the pivot the series needed in its sophomore season. The future of Three Rock is at stake, with many people gathering to protest its existence. This puts the inmate and their firefighting program at risk. Additionally, this episode explores Sheriff Mickey Fox (Morena Baccarin) as a character and sets up her future in the series.
What makes this episode one of the best in the series is that it features a notable change of pace from the rest of the season. Notably, there are no fires to be put out. Instead, “A Hail Mary” has more room to explore the interpersonal relationships that make this series so dynamic. This episode is an existential one and a meditation on everything that the future of this series could hold. Ultimately, this episode is a fork in the road for many of the characters and their respective stories.
6 “A Cry for Help”
Season 1, Episode 17
“A Cry for Help” follows Jake (Jordan Calloway) as he is investigated as a serial arsonist. His friends take it upon themselves to investigate the truth, knowing that their friend has been wrongfully accused. This serious accusation shakes up the crew and makes them come together to support one of their own. Stories like this in the Fire Country universe both highlight individual characters and showcase how strong this ensemble is.
What makes this episode so thrilling is that it puts a beloved character in the spotlight and showcases just how well-loved he is by those around him. Jake is a pillar of this series, and this episode showcases just what makes him so likable. It is also so poignant to see Sharon step up as a leader and defend one of her best firefighters against baseless accusations. “A Cry for Help” brings out the best in these characters and demonstrates just how much they have one another’s backs.
5 “False Promises”
Season 1, Episode 15
“False Promises” features Eve being put in danger while her team has to come together to rescue her. Bode has to step up and lead the rescue effort. Bode has always shown himself capable of leadership, and this situation allows him to put these skills to the test in the real world to rescue a friend. Additionally, Jake prepares to donate a kidney to Sharon, and the two consider what this monumental decision means.
Before Fire Country Season 2, it makes sense that the series would feature such a story with a change in dynamics. Having a main character in such danger is a chance to build tension and to have all of the other characters put their differences aside to accomplish a common goal. “False Promises” drives home the point that Bode is committed to his future, whatever it might look like, and that he is committed to doing right by those he loves.
4 “No Good Deed”
Season 1, Episode 9
“No Good Deed” is the explosive continuation of the story featured in “Bad Guy,” Fire Country‘s season 1 mid-season finale. With Bode in danger during a daring rescue, Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) puts herself at risk as well. The two bond while attempting to rescue a car crash victim and, ultimately, one another. “No Good Deed” is a new start for Bode and Vince, as they acknowledge how much they love one another after everything they have been through.
As in “Bad Guy,” Bode and Vince especially are put to the test and compelled to address their past in “No Good Deed.” This tragic call makes them each focus on what is important and how much they need to work through what they have been through rather than continuing to stuff their emotions. “No Good Deed” is also an explosive jumpstart for the relationship between Gabriela and Bode after the two had a will-they-won’t-they dynamic up to this point.
3 “Alert the Sheriff”
Season 2, Episode 6
“Alert the Sheriff” features Sheriff Mickey Fox as she investigates a fire camp inmate’s escape. While she investigates this incident, it is clear that she has a difficult relationship with Sharon, her estranged stepsister. Jake also struggles in the aftermath of Cara’s (Sabina Gadecki’s) death, as he is preparing to propose to her. He has difficulty visiting Cara’s daughter, Genevieve (Alix West Lefler), who is living with Sharon and Vince.
“Alert the Sheriff” marks the beginning of Sheriff Fox’s tenure in this universe. Because of the character’s introduction in this episode, Fire Country‘s first spin-off is secure. Arguably, the most compelling part of the episode is watching Mickey interact with her family and watching them all work through their differences and histories. This family evidently has a complex history, and these two stepsisters are particularly well-matched when it comes to their respective personalities.
2 “This Storm Will Pass”
Season 2, Episode 5
“This Storm Will Pass” features a massive “firenado” that puts several characters in danger. Edgewater itself is in serious danger, and everyone is pushed to their limits to protect their community. Everyone has to take cover, and tragedy strikes when Cara is killed while saving Bode during the emergency. After this massive tragedy, Bode and Jake have to support one another like never before and help one another process their grief.
“This Storm Will Pass” completely changes Fire Country moving forward. The dynamic between the ensembles is forever altered after they face Cara’s loss together. If this isn’t enough, this episode upended Bode and Jake’s lives in another way, in that they have to face the revelation that Cara’s daughter Genevieve is not Bode’s. This affects not only these two but also their respective families as they look to Genevieve’s future.
1 “No Future, No Consequences”
Season 2, Episode 9
“No Future, No Consequences” is Fire Country‘s penultimate episode of its second season. As Gabriela gets closer to her wedding, there is clearly still unfinished business left between her and Bode. The team faces a fire that lasts for over 40 days and has to figure out the best way to manage this apocalyptic emergency. In many ways, this penultimate episode could be a season finale itself, as it sets the stage for many stories featured in the season so far to be wrapped up.
This episode brings together so many of the chaotic and emotional storylines that were featured throughout the series’ second season. In contrast to a lot of the preceding season, this episode manages to slow down in the middle of the chaos and lay out the stakes that these characters face going forward. This balanced pacing lets the characters shine and shows how far they all have come this season. This penultimate episode is both self-contained and a springboard for the season finale.
