Fire Country Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Goodbye for Now

Fire Country Season 4 Episode 1, “Goodbye for Now,” pays its final respects to Vince, sets up Gabriela’s departure, and introduces a controversial new chief.

A lot is going on in the season premiere. Coming into Season 4, many cliffhangers from Season 3 need to be addressed, and “Goodbye for Now” does that with ease.

Fire Country is a series with an exceptionally talented ensemble cast that knows how to deliver gut-wrenching, visceral performances, as further proven in this episode.

Continuing a Legacy

It’s no secret that Max Thieriot is a force of nature, but he continues to prove it time and time again with his performances on this series.

As the season begins, Bode is experiencing a range of emotions that he’ll need to learn to handle, but it’s going to be a tough road to conquer. Thankfully, Gabriela and Manny are loyal and authentic friends of the Leone family, spending their time nursing him and Sharon back to health.

Despite being on a better footing two months later, Bode is bound to have a tricky path this season. With Audrey gone and still waiting on decisions from the district attorney, Gabriela leaving, and a man who hated Vince taking over as battalion chief, it’ll be a miracle if we don’t see him relapse.

Bode’s ongoing journey to stay sober and fight his addiction is a critical part of the series, and one to be applauded. That said, it feels synonymous amongst fans that Fire Country is at its best when Bode isn’t behind bars.

Rather than giving in to his temptations and relapsing, it’d be a much more entertaining storyline to watch him dedicate his time to finding a way to oust Brett Richards from Station 42.

Hopefully, Jake and Bode can reconcile their differences and come together as a team to save Vince’s legacy from being tarnished by Richards.

A Risky Future for Station 42

Understandably, Sharon is a complete mess. She just lost the love of her life, put her station on hiatus, and is trying to work through her grief. It’s a classic case of survivor’s guilt as she blames not only herself, but Walter for being the one to grab her instead of Vince.

Ensuring Sharon eats and helping her get back on her feet is an admirable move from Luke. However, his character always feels like a puppet being used as a catalyst for change, introducing another obstacle for Sharon to face.

Despite aiding in Sharon’s recovery, he’s also the one who directly impacts her healing by blindsiding her with Walter and making the call that essentially secures the job for Richards.

Thankfully for him, though, he also plays a significant role in getting Sharon back on the job. If she hadn’t heard the call over the comms stating that Station 42 was aiding Greencrest, it was unclear how long she would’ve remained catatonic.

Diane Farr is a phenomenal actress, making those moments when she’s given free rein to showcase her talent even more satisfying. Her delivery during Sharon’s breakdown in her kitchen is impeccable and incredibly moving. It’s hard not to watch and want to join in her tears over Vince.

Going Out with a Bang

Stephanie Arcilla has been an irreplaceable focal point of the series since its inception, making her departure only that much more challenging for fans. I am, however, beyond grateful that “Goodbye for Now” allows Gabriella to shine one last time and save the life of a fellow firefighter.

Over the seasons, Gabriela has grown into an exceptional firefighter and paramedic, saving countless lives. We know that she’s capable of handling herself and is worth taking a risk on. Now she has to prove that to herself.

Joining the Cal Fire Recruitment team is the best move for Gabriela. Not only does she absolutely dominate at her job, but she’s also likable. When recruiting the youth to start thinking about firefighting, it helps to have someone intelligent, compelling, and charming.

One aspect of her departure that feels out of place and seems to be included only to cause a stir is her admission to still being in love with Bode.

On one hand, it’s a way of keeping that hunger from fans alive, as showrunners confirm this doesn’t mean the story of Bode and Gabriela is over. But on the other hand, it doesn’t feel conducive to the overall plot.

It almost feels like Gabriela’s departure is happening solely to push Bode back into his addiction. I’m hoping that’s not the case.

—

Overall, “Goodbye for Now” is a well-thought-out episode that covers all the bases and perfectly sets the series up for a turbulent season.

Stray Thoughts:

• It’s thrilling to see Manny officially back with Cal Fire. With Gabriela leaving, the team needs a Perez to fill the void. Plus, his pretending to be a patient in need and wailing when helping Bode train is downright hilarious.
• Eve’s journey toward restoring Three Rock to its glory is going to take some time, but it’ll be so worth it in the end. I hope we see their base rebuilt before the end of the season.
• While Audrey’s actions in the season 3 finale may be controversial, I hope we see the district attorney provide some leniency. Had Finn not been attacking her and Gabriela, Audrey wouldn’t have had to shoot.
• Despite the chaos his character is sure to bring to Station 42, I look forward to Shawn Hatosy’s arc this season.

---

What did you think of this episode of Fire Country? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

 

Fire Country airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS.

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!