Fire Country Season 4 Episode 12 Review: Tyler’s Arc Ridiculously Ties Back to Bode’s Weird Savior Complex

Critic’s Rating: 1.5 / 5.0

1.5

Wait, it was an accident? Then what was all the fuss about?

Fire Country has a Bode problem — one we’ve talked about so many times that we’re starting to sound like broken records or mad people.

All roads always lead to Bode and his heroism. He must save everyone, even when he can barely save himself.

Fire Country Season 4 Episode 12, “Life of a Firefighter,” cracks open the Tyler-arsonist mystery with some disappointing results.

The show has made a habit of overhyping storylines only to gut them without any justification.

We saw it happen with Chief Richards’ arc, and the same is true of the arsonist storyline, which the writers even brought in the ATF to make it sound like a big deal.

I’m getting really tired of this constant bait-and-switch aimed at insulting our intelligence over and over again.

The fire dies within the first few minutes, turning what seemed like a blazing emotional inferno into cold ashes after Tyler admits he didn’t set the Zabel Ridge fire.

The twist is disappointing, but for this show, it’s almost predictable.

Tyler’s story had all the hallmarks of a successful emotional arc about a teenager in a difficult period of his life and how that can influence someone to commit such terrible acts.

A child who feels out of control after losing his father and home is a bomb waiting to explode, and I’d understand why he would set a fire without thinking of the consequences.

Tyler, as the arsonist, was never going to be an easy storyline to explore, given Bode and Tyler’s close bond and the circumstances surrounding Vince’s death, but writers are paid to figure out these kinds of things.

However, they have proven time and again that they are willing to build an arc, heighten it with measured reveals, invest in over-the-top scenes that make it feel important, only to ruin it with some ridiculous twist in one episode.

The trope is made worse by their constant desire to elevate Bode as the hero in all situations, which happens when Tyler admits the fire started by accident.

The whole situation is weird because Tyler does not confess to any wrongdoing, instead shifting the burden to Landon, using some sob story. That confession is the most ridiculous thing to happen this season for a show that thrives in ridiculousness.

To add insult to injury, they bring back Chief Richard as if mocking us for what could have been.

Richards came to Station 42 with a proper diagnosis and was willing to root out the problem. Fast forward a few episodes later, and he’s drunk the Kool-Aid and is now Team Bode.

The fact remains that Bode is this show’s weakest link, which keeps weakening with every passing season.

While it’s always fun to see Shawn Hatosy on television, his return only reminds us of what we were robbed of.

We could have an improved Bode if Richards’ plans had gone through, but now the Chief is four to five seconds away from wearing a cheerleader uniform to cheer everyone on.

Even when he encounters unprofessional behavior in the field from Manny, Richards is ready to take the disrespect. Where is the Richards who used to instill the fear of god in these people?

Are you going to let Manny talk to you like that?

Whose fault is it that Manny has an attitude problem, always ready to attack everyone when he’s in the wrong? I’m glad that he found the cause of his anxiety issues, but come on, man!

Manny’s constant outbursts are another symptom of the same problem — consequences don’t exist in this world if the writers need the characters for the next Bode moment.

“Life of a Firefighter” is a prime example of this show’s worst parts unfolding in one episode.

What about Eve’s spiel about family at Three Rock? I’m happy that the camp is working out, but let’s not pretend this is also “found family.”

Television has drained the meaning out of the “found family” trope. Sharing a workplace or a prison camp doesn’t automatically make people family.

All in all, the Three Rock arc is not the worst of the hour. It highlights how wealth disparity affects the criminal justice system.

Rich people can afford the best, most expensive lawyers and game the system.

The whole process is supposed to be fair for everyone, but once again, money ruins everything.

It’s heartbreaking to see that Ace might get to live a normal life while Hartman goes off the rails just because he couldn’t afford fancy lawyers for a crime they both committed.

If Fire Country were courageous — which I doubt the writers are — it’s worth exploring how the camp can be more than a place to exploit convicts; it could also be a place to give them their lives back without breaking their backs.

Not everyone who lands there needs to cut lines or put out fires to get redemption. Sometimes working to get them out, especially when they’ve changed or were wrongly accused, is also a noble endeavor.

If they got Bode out, they can get anyone out. But we know Fire Country will never do something like this.

Bodeisms In Fire Country Season 4 Episode 12

“Life of a Firefighter” is peak Bodeism — neutering the storyline by introducing a ridiculous twist to prop up the character.

Now he gets to save the day, advocate for Tyler’s “mistreatment,” and play Mother Teresa for hosting them.

Also, how absurd is it that he talks to a kid and his mother, gives the kid a toy, and a few hours later, he saves them from a motor vehicle accident?

Only on this show, folks. Only on Fire Country.

Gut Check

I hate this episode and what it has done because I had such high hopes for the next chapter of the story. Once again, we’re back to the same banal storylines of Bode saving the day, and I’m just tired.

These are the kind of occurrences that force me to drop a show. Don’t be surprised, dear reader, when I don’t cover the next season.

Some things need to change, but after four seasons, I doubt it will happen.

Intrusive Thoughts

• The Tyler arc might be silly now, but Conor Sherry did a great job in that scene with Bode. One could see the character breaking in real time as he contemplated the consequences of his actions, proving he actually feels some remorse even when “it’s Landon’s fault.”

• When did Chloe ask Bode to speak to Tyler? Isn’t it odd that they were fighting in the previous episode, but now they’re back to being besties? What does Bode want with this woman and her son — apart from massaging his own “I’m a good person” ego?

Okay, Fire Country Fanatics, what did you think of this episode?

I’m so worn out I can’t even. Unburden in the comment section, or offer a different perspective because I need it if I’m to continue.

Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.

Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.