Did ‘Fire Country’ Just Kill Off Vince Leone After That Season 3 Cliffhanger?

After Vince (Burke) and Sharon (Diane Farr) run into a fire to save Bode (Max Theriot) and Walter (Jeff Fahey), it seems like they’re about to be in the clear. In fact, we didn’t think twice about the burning building because the Leone clan is nearly out the door — but then the Season 3 finale takes a dark turn. Though Bode gets out, Sharon and Vince turn to find Walter missing, forcing them to go back in and find him. And that’s where everything goes to hell. After watching the flames spread throughout the entire episode, “I’d Do It Again” ends with the building collapsing in on itself, with the three Leones still inside as Bode and Jake look on in horror. Though Bode tries to reenter the building to find his parents and grandfather, Jake holds him back. While that was the right call, it may have sealed Vince, Sharon, and Walter’s fates.

Jake Should Be Station 42’s New Fire Chief, but It May Lead to Drama in ‘Fire Country’ Season 4

In the back half of this season, after losing Gen (Alix West Lefler) to her biological family, Jake had planned to move to Butte County with his girlfriend Violet (Nesta Cooper) to pursue a new captain position. All this occurred after Vince was candid about there being no career ladder for Jake to climb at Station 42, at least with him still around. But now, it seems that Vince’s fate may be sealed. Even if Fire Country doesn’t straight up kill Vince, it seems likely that Jake will be the next in line to take over — and frankly, it’s about time. Not only would this be a great boost career-wise for the character, but it would keep Jake with the people he loves. Jake has proven himself time and again as a capable captain at Station 42, and even if Manny (Kevin Alejandro) takes over his position at the firehouse, it would be easy for Jake to settle into the role as battalion chief, since Vince has essentially been training him for the job for years.

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‘Fire Country’ Is Switching Things Up for Season 4

In many ways, Jake taking charge as Station 42’s battalion chief would be the best thing for the character. Again, it would give Jake a reason to stay in Edgewater, but it would also allow for his continued character arc to blossom into what it was always meant to be. Jake Crawford has changed considerably since the first season, and that’s in no small part due to his own personal and professional goals. Sure, there are a lot of factors that have gone into his decisions throughout Seasons 2 and 3, but all of them point to him becoming the type of leader that could make Vince Leone proud. The truth is, Bode isn’t quite leadership material (at least, not yet). His willingness to throw himself into the fire is admirable, but his general lack of restraint is not becoming of a fire chief. On the other hand, Jake has learned this sort of self-control and uses it to command with competence and strength.