Fire Country Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Power Grid on the Fritz

Edgewater begins to experience the negative side effects of data centers on Fire Country Season 5 Episode 6, “Church and State.”

Tackling a growing real-world problem, Fire Country takes on the touchy subject of data centers. Rather than treating it as an unimportant side topic to normalize their implementation, they put it front and center, highlighting the horrific negative outcomes.

Meanwhile, Sharon’s hopes of getting away with her theft after the trailer park fire come crashing down. Despite the impression that she got away scot-free, a new man enters town, claiming he owns the stolen funds she used as an anonymous donation to Station 42.

A Myriad of Issues

As data centers continue to form across the country, more and more of the general population is starting to see the adverse effects of their usage. Part of that includes the cooling demands, as they require millions of gallons of water daily, and sleep disturbances from prolonged, low-frequency noise.

For this outing, Fire Country tackles the demand data centers place on electrical grids, especially in small towns that lack the necessary infrastructure.

We see that strike a personal chord, as areas around Edgewater experience rolling power outages, with no reasonable explanation. The situation turns potentially deadly when Eve’s apartment complex goes up in flames from an electrical fire, trapping people and eventually destroying everything they own.

This topic lets the series address serious issues affecting so many people, and it also helps address one of the main problems the series has struggled to navigate: Eve’s personal life.

Season 3 was a great season for Eve, as we saw her navigate a new relationship, learn what she wants in life, and finally dive into her upbringing. Since then, though, the developments have been minimal, to say the least.

That issue comes full circle with the destruction of her apartment, as she later realizes she has no personal ties to anything in her home.

While everyone else tried to save cherished belongings, she had nothing of importance to focus on. Outside Station 42 and Three Rock, Eve essentially has no life, and that needs to change.

Who knows, maybe by becoming roommates with Sharon, we’ll finally get to see her working on building some personal relationships outside of work again.

Friend Turned Foe?

After his mysterious addition in the final moments of Fire Country Season 5 Episode 4, “Winners and Losers,” we now know the real reason behind the addition of Jay Hayden’s character, Mason.

A lifelong friend of Bode and Jake, he’s back in Edgewater under the pretense of running his family’s paper mill. However, we quickly learn that his newfound interest in returning home is to run a data center, under the guise of bringing much-needed help to his hometown.

Thankfully, Bode uncovers the truth and uses his position in the fire department to temporarily shut down the building’s operations because of improper paperwork. It only serves as a temporary solution to a potentially permanent problem, though.

Fire Country does a good job with the curveball behind Mason’s reason for returning. I was initially excited to see his addition because it added another dimension to CJ’s storyline and, most importantly, stopped any potential situationship between her and Bode.

If we’re being honest, the series has a major problem with adding new women and immediately linking them romantically to Bode. Thankfully, with his ongoing relationship with Chloe, it doesn’t seem as if there are plans for Bode and CJ to develop into anything other than friends.

After secretly meeting with Jake in the final moments of the outing to drive a wedge between him and Bode and sway his thoughts, it will be interesting to see where Mason’s character arc takes him.

Frankly, I’m over storylines where we constantly see Bode and Jake at odds. It’s tired and played out, so hopefully Jake takes what Mason says with a grain of salt and comes to his senses quickly.

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“Church and State” is a solid outing, doing a good job of bringing the story to a natural cliffhanger moment, as the series now goes on a short hiatus.

Fans are left stewing over what’s to come between Mason, Bode, and Jake; how Eve will move forward after the fire; and now, how Sharon plans to talk her way out of paying back the money she stole.

Stray Thoughts:

• Eve needs to take that $45k check and have a real vacation!
• I hope that with the new danger for Sharon, we can get another mini crossover event with Sheriff Country. It’s time to fill Mickey in on the situation so she can use her resources to help.

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

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