Fire Country Season 4 Episode 13 Review: The Bravest

Fire Country and Sheriff Country excel with their first crossover event on Fire Country Season 4 Episode 13, “The Bravest.”

Picking up from Sheriff Country Season 1 Episode 13, “The Finest,” we find Station 42 helping the police of Edgewater find a handful of kidnapped children.

The crossover event begins with the fire and police departments going head-to-head in their annual first responders baseball game. Rivalries and tensions are at an all-time high, only for them to quickly dissipate when they hear an explosion nearby, and they jump into action as a team.

Overall, the Fire Country universe’s first crossover is an absolute powerhouse of an outing. It features high-stakes, action-packed moments of pure adrenaline, character bonding, and much-needed beats of comedic relief.

It exemplifies the definition of family and the importance of having a support group.

Working Through Differences

Fire Country holding a crossover event is a meaningful moment because, in addition to providing proper world-building and expansion, it allows fans to learn more about the Leone family.

We know the Leone’s hold significance in the Edgewater community, but it’s always fun to see their roots on display outside Cal Fire.

In an hour full of nail-biting moments, Bode and Boone’s partnership is the perfect amount of stress, action, and comedy. The two don’t get along that well, and they hold a rivalry over the annual first responders baseball game.

We see this on full display in the Sheriff Country portion of the crossover, where Boone antagonizes Bode by giving him a speeding ticket for going six mph over the speed limit. However, in this hour, we see them working much closer together, as they end up in the bunker with the kidnapped children.

Bode: Boone, I cannot leave her. I know I’m not your partner, but I need you to be mine. Right now.

Their success derives directly from their teamwork and communication in the moment. Through Morse code, they’re able to communicate via the security camera in the bunker, as those on the outside must detonate a series of bombs to get to them safely.

Bode getting Boone to confront his claustrophobia, dig himself out of the bunker, and lead the children to safety is a real highlight.

Max Thieriot and Matt Lauria have great on-screen chemistry, despite being at odds with one another for much of the 2-hour event.

It’s unlikely we’ll see another crossover this season, but it would be a smart decision to have one in each season moving forward. Crossover events have proven to be fantastic ways to connect series and fans and deliver noteworthy moments of intense action.

Take the 9-1-1 and One Chicago universes as prime examples. They’ve excelled with crossovers in the past and continue to do so in their current seasons.  

Three Rock to the Rescue

Three Rock is undoubtedly one of the best aspects of Fire Country, making it that much sweeter to see them come in clutch for the operation.

Tex is the sole reason Abbott’s involvement in the situation was uncovered. Had he not overheard his conversation, there’s no telling when they would have gotten another lead.

Then, it’s Zane’s hacking skills that come to the rescue, allowing the police department to restart the live feed inside the bunker and providing a way for them to communicate with those trapped.

Despite the reason for their position within Three Rock, it is their help that directly leads to the rescue of Bode, Boone, and the children. Their involvement also leads to one of the best shot moments the series has had in a while.

We’ve seen some phenomenally shot explosions throughout the seasons of Fire Country, but Abbott blowing himself up via a tripwire booby trap could be the best shot to date. From the build-up, attention to detail, and slow motion as the explosion begins, everything about the scenario is exquisite.

Director Bill Purple is no stranger to the series, having directed nine episodes in total throughout the series, but “The Bravest” will go down as one of the best during his time on the show.

Stray Thoughts:

• Jake’s fear for his girlfriend’s sister is valid, but it almost feels out of place for how little we’ve seen him be with Violet.
• As much as Ruby can be a major nuisance in Sharon’s life, it’s nice a chance of events to see her genuinely worried for her and know there are no ulterior motives behind her actions.
• Eve and Wes are such an unlikely pairing, but the two complemented each other tremendously well. Wes needs to make more cameos on Fire Country.
• Sharon dying randomly, a little more than halfway through the season, isn’t a move the series would make, but it doesn’t change the fright her stepping on the IED gives.

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Fire Country airs Fridays at 9/8c on CBS.

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