Fire Country Season 4 Episode 16 Review: Not Worth the Risk

Bode puts his leadership skills to the test to prove himself on Fire Country Season 4 Episode 16, “Not Worth the Risk.”

After spending a few weeks with the crew, Bode is eager to be appointed as the leader of REMS 1. However, the higher-ups in Sacramento aren’t too keen on hiring someone so green.

Luckily enough for him, it doesn’t take long before he’s allowed to showcase his skills. When Eve, three members of Three Rock, and one of the guards trigger a landslide that sends them 30 feet into a ravine, Bode steps up to helm the rescue effort.

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

After weeks without fires, Three Rock finds itself going stir-crazy, leading them to engage in exchanging contraband. Not only that, but everyone’s nerves are on edge, making the area a minefield of attitude.

Their bickering leads Eve to take Tex, Zane, Gunnar, and a fellow officer on a hike, but things take a dangerous turn during a severe cold snap. They wind up triggering an icy landslide, finding themselves 30 feet below in a ravine.

Three Rock’s desperate situation lays the perfect groundwork for Bode’s first mission wearing a body camera. Tex, Gunnar, and Zane all have the mindset that everyone thinks they’re expendable, but Bode has been in their shoes, making him the perfect person to help them work through their issues.

The dynamic between Tex and Zane easily emphasizes the message that it’s always better to be open with communication and discuss grievances, rather than let them brew and fester into anger.

Instead of continuing the heated tension between the two, Tex could have taken a moment to tell Zane that his comments about his intellectualism genuinely hurt him, working it out in the safety of a toasty, warm room, rather than almost dying on the side of a mountain. 

Despite how annoying constant complaining and whining can be, it only accentuates the stellar leadership skills Bode possesses. His vulnerability, ease of connecting with others, and ability to relate to what they’re going through make him the perfect person for them to find comfort in.

Without him out there to ground them back to reality, there’s no telling how their hike could have ended. It certainly wouldn’t have led to Zane tutoring Tex and the rest of the boys in biology, as Bode’s actions did.

Max Thieriot, Lex Lumpkin, and Elias Kacavas have great chemistry together, delivering stellar performances.

Will You Marry Me?

Despite the lack of buildup I wish Jake and Violet had received before reaching this point in their relationship, their arc throughout “Not Worth the Risk” ends up being a heartfelt and meaningful development, adding emotional depth to the episode.

Nobody wants to get married just for convenience, and even for those who do, it’s nice to add a special twist rather than just signing a piece of paper at the courthouse.

So, when Violet randomly proposes the idea out of the blue, it rightfully upsets Jake. After all, he has the same thought process, but he believes in a proper approach to marriage rather than just taking the easy route.

Jake: Yesterday, you asked if I wanted to marry you on paper. I don’t. I want to marry you. I want to be your husband, but in all aspects of the word, not just on paper. So, I’m asking you, Violet Mitchell, right here in the same spot god brought you into my life, marry me?
Violet: You are an idiot. I love you. Yes!

Jake gathering his friends and family to help with his proposal to Violet is the best move he could have made. It’s elaborate, charming, and shows that he truly cares for her.

Stray Thoughts:

• Manny has been through so much, and it’s about time he stops getting the rug yanked from underneath him. I have no interest whatsoever in him being forced to entertain his ex randomly popping back into his life at the most inconvenient time.
• Vince’s death was tragic, but it’s been almost an entire season, and Sharon has made real progress on her healing journey. It wouldn’t be horrible if she decided to re-enter the dating world. Even though Craig turned out to be a sales agent rather than an admirer, it’s nice to see Sharon get giddy over someone again.
• With Eve now essentially in charge of her own group of children, it feels like it’s starting to change her. Yeah, they’re a headache. But if she can deal with a group of teenagers, then she can handle a baby. I hope we see her and Francine reconcile before the season ends.
• Luke has a lot to make up for with his past actions, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t enjoying this redemption arc, as it provides another shoulder of support for Bode.

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

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