Fire Country Season 4 Episode 10 Review: On the Carpet
Manny is put through the wringer after a close call on Fire Country Season 4 Episode 10, “On the Carpet.”
Picking up where the series left off before its midseason hiatus, Station 42 continues its fight to save Edgewater from yet another devastating blaze.
However, tensions are high, with Bode and Tyler caught in the middle of the inferno, and the Drake County rig holding Jake and Malcolm toppling over.
Meanwhile, Three Rock’s unrelenting momentum continues, thanks to their fearless leader.
Answering to Higher Ups
The episode follows a non-chronological structure, jumping back and forth between the battle in the forest and the conversations between Luke and Manny afterward.
Not only does it add a sense of unease as the two make alarming comments that suggest a potential death, but it also accurately portrays the dynamic between Manny and Sharon.
In the field, we see Sharon berate Manny for his decisions, override his commands, and even land a pretty jarring punch, leaving quite the shiner. But, in the aftermath of the close call, Sharon stands her ground and backs Manny like the family he is to Luke.
Sharon: He lied to me because I needed to be lied to. He was the only leader there who was still able to assess the risk of going through the boulders. If it wasn’t for him, we would have lost a firefighter out there.
In a split-second decision, Manny makes the call to send Bode and Malcolm back into the ongoing blaze to help save Jake. The order goes against Sharon’s wishes, but in the end, it’s that quick call that single-handedly saves Jake’s life.
Thankfully, for Manny’s sake, Luke seems to have a change of heart, admitting he made the right decision.
Three Rock Continues to Shine
While Three Rock isn’t a focal point of “On the Carpet,” it doesn’t make their involvement any less impactful. Arguably, it’s their hard work and determined attitudes that ensure Edgewater’s safety.
After finishing digging their line, Manny makes the dangerous call to pull their engine support, while simultaneously asking Three Rock to double the size of their line. It’s a big ask of anyone, let alone an unseasoned group of teenagers who are still finding their footing in their new roles.
As Eve mentions, though, after this outing, they’re no longer the new guys anymore.
It’s one of the more minor moments of the hour, but Eve’s interactions with Three Rock afterward are what stand out the most to me. She can tell how defeated and tired they feel because she’s been in their shoes before. That’s why it’s so important for her to be their leader and help them open their eyes to the gravity of their actions.
If not for her making them take a moment to analyze the burned forest behind them and the line they spent hours grueling over, it’s hard to know if they’d ever fully appreciate the weight of their efforts.
New Developments in the Zable Ridge Fire
As I stated in my review of Fire Country Season 4 Episode 9, “Who Owns the Dirt,” there are many unanswered questions about the Zable Ridge fire and Landon’s involvement.
Tyler accuses him of playing a major role in the blaze that killed Vince, but Landon’s lack of care in the wake of the revelation raises a major red flag.
If Landon were responsible for a fire that killed a beloved firefighter and destroyed portions of Edgewater, it would be safe to assume he’d skip town, rather than hang around to continue pursuing Chloe.
While it is hard to know what comes next, based on the final moments of this outing, Tyler is not as innocent as he initially painted himself.
As he’s being dragged away in handcuffs, he tells Bode he wanted to be the kid who does the right thing, providing a clear indication that either he was the one to start the Zable Ridge fire, not Landon, or that he somehow played a part.
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!
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Fire Country airs Fridays at 9/8c on CBS.
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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.