Is the goal of this season to constantly send me on an emotional rollercoaster? If so, it’s succeeding expeditiously.
After learning that the Zabel Ridge fire was ruled an arson, I was nervous about how Bode would react to the news. Sharon told him about it in last week’s episode and for a few moments, I convinced myself that he wasn’t going to do the Bode thing where he takes matters into his own hands. I thought he was actually going to listen, but of course he disregards ATF’s warning to let them handle it. While doing his own investigation, he comes up with a potential suspect; Jeff Branick.
“Your Voice in My Head” – FIRE COUNTRY, Pictured: Jordan Calloway as Jake Crawford and Max Thieriot as Bode Leone. Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I was beyond frustrated with Bode this episode – he is so close to being a free man, but continues to defy orders and tries to get answers on his own. ATF is taking this investigation seriously, but they must not be moving fast enough for Bode. When he lies to the team and goes after Jeff on his own, Manny chases him down to try to put some sense into him. Manny is a godsend; he’s been saving Bode from himself for so long and doesn’t quit. Thankfully Manny reaches him in time and Bode got some semblance of sense back into him. As they were leaving, ATF made their way to Jeff’s house. See Bode? They’re listening to you, you just need to be patient. Imagine how bad this would’ve been if Bode got caught there.
All signs lead to Jeff but something told me it couldn’t be that easy. There was enough credible evidence against him, but Jeff had an alibi for that night. Knowing that this was arson and it’s clearly someone who has something against Edgewater, and also is familiar with Edgewater, I can’t help but think back to another arsonist we met back in season one. What if…?
“Your Voice in My Head” – FIRE COUNTRY, Pictured: Max Thieriot as Bode Leone. Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS © 2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I loved the Walter and Sharon moments in this episode. We finally got some answers as to why Sharon’s mom was blackmailing Vince. Sharon figured out the amount Vince was paying for Walter’s facility was less than he told her and thought to have Walter come over and explain the reasoning. Walter explains that Vince was paying Sharon’s mom off to keep her away. He was scared after Sharon’s motorcycle accident and thought that her mom, Ruby, being around was not the best. Especially when she blamed Sharon for what happened with Riley and Bode. Good on Vince to keep that woman away.
Ever since Vince passed, Walter has always had this feeling of guilt about him, which I didn’t understand. It was an accident – he did what he thought Vince would’ve wanted and that was to get Sharon to safety. But when he told Sharon the true events of that night, I cried with her. Walter explained to her that when the roof came down and he claims he didn’t see Vince that that was a lie. He saw Vince and knew that he was already gone and he wanted to spare Sharon from seeing him that way. That’s why he hurried her out of the building. Sharon needed to hear that; she’s been so hard on herself and I hope knowing this helps ease the guilt.
-I’m glad she found the strength to reach out to her mother too. She gave her a quick update – Vince is gone and so is your payout. She told her to continue to stay away. You think she listened? Of course not! Ruby shows up and invites herself in. This can’t end well.
There was so much more that happened in this episode and I want to hear your thoughts. Share them below or connect with me on X/Twitter @chenfordhugs