Fire Country Finally Pays Off Its Original Villain After 3 Years

Bode and Jake’s friendship was always described as one for the ages, but Fire Country never truly showed the depth of their bond until now.

Other characters were at times viewed as villainous for their debatable choices, such as Luke Leone after he tried to kiss Sharon or to close down Three Rock. The rise of Oxalta to villain in Fire Country season 3 was the first of its kind, as it was focused on over several episodes in varying degrees, with the firefighting drama slowly building up the conflict ahead of a future showdown likely involving many of Fire Country’s central characters. However, another character’s change in behavior also quietly hints at them taking over an adversarial role in relation to the Leones.

Jake’s Hopes & Conduct In Fire Country Revive His Villain Role

Jake Knowingly Went Against Sharon’s Orders

Jordan Calloway as Jake Crawford and Max Thieriot as Bode Leone in Fire Country season 3 episode 17

Antagonizing Vince and Sharon Leone at key moments in their lives – Vince coming to terms with Walter’s illness and his difficult relationship with his father, Sharon having to face Oxalta and Bode’s refusal to go along with the deal – leaves no doubt about Jake’s shift from hero to antagonist. This could come as a surprise given Jake’s supportive role throughout Fire Country, but in season 1, his role was more antagonistic, given how he hid his relationship with Riley from everyone and had taken over Bode’s role in Edgewater, to the point Vince and Sharon treated him like a son.

What Jake’s New Attitude Means For The Leones’ Future In Fire Country

The Leones Have 1 Less Firefighter & Family Member To Rely On

Even when Jake felt left out by the Leone family dynamics in Fire Country season 3, he didn’t fail to show up for Vince and Sharon, being there on the Leone fishing trip and asking how he could help them when they were coming to terms with Walter’s diagnosis. It’s unclear whether seeing Bode being hailed as the heir to Station 42 pushed Jake to focus on his career and forget his close bonds with the Leones, but Fire Country season 3 highlighted at times how having Bode as part of Station 42 led Sharon and Vince to neglect Jake.

Jake’s decision to focus on himself and disregard his history with the Leones leaves them without someone who they considered a member of their family at the moment they need family the most. Between Walter’s declining health and Oxalta being ready to fight, Vince and Sharon will have much to face in what’s left of Fire Country season 3, making this the worst possible moment for Jake to put himself first. Simultaneously, this can finally lead Vince and Sharon to think back to the times they took Jake for granted in Fire Country, which can hopefully lead to their reconciliation.

Enjoy ScreenRant’s primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check “Network TV” in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

Related articles

Here’s When New Fire Country Season 3 Episodes Return To CBS (Episode 16)

Fire Country Season 3 is set to return after some time away with its incoming Episode 16. Fire Country‘s usual CBS timeslot has been taken over by the ongoing…

Fire Country Leaves Bode’s Most Frustrating Plot Pointless After Its Massive Cast Shake-Up

Now the entire arc is pointless, as Arcila is leaving the series before Fire Country season 4. It’s one of the most frustrating things about the entire series, leading…

We Wanted Jake To Stick Around on ‘Fire Country,’ but Not Like This

Did ‘Fire Country’ Just Kill Off Vince Leone After That Season 3 Cliffhanger? Image via CBS/Paramount+ After Vince (Burke) and Sharon (Diane Farr) run into a fire…

Which Fire Country Stars Are, Aren’t Returning for Season 4 After Exits

Fire Country went through several surprising cast changes — and demotions — ahead of season 4, but which characters are returning to the show? The CBS series, which premiered…

‘Fire Country’ Spinoff ‘Sheriff Country’ Casts ‘CSI: Vegas’ Star Matt Lauria

He will star opposite Morena Baccarin, who was previously announced to be leading the series when CBS greenlit it last May. Per the official logline, “Sheriff Country” will…

Fire Country’s Stephanie Arcila on Gabriela and Bode’s Future Now That She’s Leaving Station 42

Stephanie Arcila, Fire Country CBS The Fire Country Season 3 finale ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger when the roof of the Buena Vista Memory Care Center caved in with…