Fire Country Raises Concerns About Bode’s Sobriety After He Accidentally Swallows and Vomits a Pill
After suggesting that Bode would face challenges with his sobriety, Fire Country allowed him a brief lapse — lasting just 10 seconds.
In the episode aired on Friday, October 24, of the CBS series, Bode (Max Thieriot) struggled in the wake of his father Vince’s (Billy Burke) passing. Station 42 also faced a leadership shift as Brett (Shawn Hatosy) arrived to investigate the circumstances surrounding a firefighter’s death while on duty.
Bode, who felt entitled to lead in his father’s absence, was not pleased about working with Brett and defied his directions several times. By the episode’s conclusion, even Bode’s mother, Sharon (Diane Farr), recognized that Brett was right — Bode was in the wrong.
This culminated in the episode’s closing scene where Bode returned to his locker to retrieve the pills he had claimed to dispose of. Instead, he briefly succumbed to his addiction.
Bode ingested the painkiller, but within exactly 10 seconds, he was throwing it up. The final moments depicted Bode grappling with his choice, leaving it uncertain whether this was truly his rock bottom.
“Bode is a recovering addict. That’s a struggle he faces, and we’ve seen him manage it to some extent throughout the show,” showrunner Tia Napolitano shared exclusively with Us Weekly. “With Vince’s death and Gabriela’s exit, we aimed to portray the genuine challenges someone dealing with addiction might encounter. We wanted to capture that authenticity and allow viewers to witness his struggle. It won’t be an easy journey, and we’ll support him as he navigates this rollercoaster.”
Napolitano indicated that Brett’s arrival at Station 42 could further complicate matters for some characters.
“He really straddles the line of being a good guy or a bad guy. We’ll explore his character further in upcoming episodes. Viewers will get to know him throughout the season,” she hinted. “Our aim is to deeply invest in this character. Audiences will want to uncover who he is and what his intentions are. Can he be trusted?”
Napolitano was tight-lipped about Brett’s true intentions, stating, “The nuances of his approach, his background, and backstory will reveal surprising elements as we gradually unveil who Richards really is.”
Season 4, which debuted earlier this month, follows the aftermath of Vince’s shocking demise and Gabriela’s (Stephanie Arcila) departure from Edgewater. The CBS series caught viewers off guard with these changes, which Napolitano justified.
“It’s a fire show. Anyone can be written out at any moment,” she remarked regarding character fatalities and exits. “In light of losing some characters, we’re also introducing exciting new guest stars. It’s a rotating ensemble from Sharon’s past alongside fresh faces to bring in conflict, secrets, and unexpected twists.”
While “really spicing it up” this season, the show maintained a “delicate balance” of honoring the losses depicted onscreen.
“We’ve skillfully navigated honoring — particularly Vince — as Gabriela has moved on to a happy and successful existence. She’s still present in some form. However, we also focus on finding hope in the aftermath,” she explained. “The overarching theme this season is rising from the ashes and recovery.”
Napolitano added: “How do you recover from such events? We’re going to witness everyone rising to the occasion, celebrating Vince’s life and honoring the sacrifices he made.”
Fire Country airs on CBS Fridays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes will be available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
