Fire Country Finally Finds Its Footing Again After Vince’s Death — Thanks to One Bold Shift md11

Edgewater’s Station 42 has a new battalion chief, and it’s not Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway). The tragic death of Vince Leone (Billy Burke) at the start of Fire Country Season 4 created the dilemma of who would replace Vince as chief. Jake had already expressed his desire to become chief and was ready to leave Edgewater to accept a promotion in another town in Season 3. Vince’s son, Bode Leone (Max Thieriot), also made it clear he wanted the role. However, after Brett Richards (Shawn Hatosy) came in to take over and revamp Battalion 1508, it looked like Station 42, especially Bode, might be in trouble. The latest episode, “Like a Wilde Wildebeest,” resolves the drama with Bode, Chief Richards, and who becomes the new chief of Battalion 1508 in one fell swoop. The series makes the best move possible, with Richards ultimately choosing Manny Perez (Kevin Alejandro) as the new battalion chief. Perez quickly proved his worth for the job, and it’s easily the best development the show has made all season.

Manny Perez Has Been Working to This Moment Since the First Season

Since Season 1, Manny has proven that he’s a natural-born leader. He began as an inmate firefighter and eventually became a captain at Three Rock Conservation Camp. As a recovering alcoholic and gambling addict, Manny knows how to lead the incarcerated inmates with a guiding and sympathetic hand. Additionally, he has repeatedly served as a strong mentor and fellow firefighter for Battalion 1508. Manny has experienced trials and tribulations, such as the incident when he punched out Luke Leone (Michael Trucco) over the decision to dissolve Three Rock, which temporarily landed him back in prison and then Three Rock. However, that was eventually resolved in Season 3 with his pardon and early release, with Sharon reinstating Manny to CAL Fire in Season 4. Manny’s path to battalion chief has been pretty amazing, considering the roller coaster of his life over four seasons, but his experiences prove he is the best candidate for the job.

During Season 4, Manny leads by example, guiding cadet Audrey James (Leven Rambin) through a traumatic crisis while dealing with an ailing patient. During “Wild Like a Wildebeest,” Manny protects Bode at a difficult time when Bode is scrutinized after his painkiller stash was discovered. Manny acts as a buffer for Bode with Richards, accepting responsibility for Bode during a dangerous rescue mission. Manny’s experience as a recovering addict plays a key role in salvaging Bode’s career because he understands that dealing with addicts requires nuance and that someone such as Bode shouldn’t be unfairly discarded. Manny’s faith in Bode throughout the episode eventually convinces him to confess to Manny about the pills, which he finally flushes at the end of the episode. Bode badly needed that intervention from Manny, but Manny handled the confrontation with the utmost respect, care, emotional maturity, and intelligence. Manny’s leadership with the Bode situation and silo rescue ultimately leads to Chief Richards appointing him as the new battalion chief.

Jake or Bode Leading the Firehouse Now Would’ve Been Disastrous

Manny ascending the ranks as battalion chief makes sense from multiple perspectives because he maintains the leadership within the Station 42 “family,” a hometown boy who knows and understands all the firefighters. We have already spoken at length about why Jake lacks the maturity and experience to become the next chief right now. Manny says it best when Jake asks if he even wants the job: “Do I want it? Nah, but I feel responsible to answer the call to keep it in our 42 family.” He adds, “Jake, you’re going to make an excellent Battalion Chief one day, just not today.” It’s a great moment that sums up what Jake has been going through lately, but the fact remains that Jake is not ready to become chief. Jake fails to assert his authority in times of crisis, buckles under pressure from Bode, and acts like a petulant child when reprimanded for his mistakes. These are not the attractive qualities for a responsible battalion chief. Deep down, Jake probably realizes that Manny is correct, which is why Jake ultimately accepts the decision and makes amends with Bode near the end of the episode.

Speaking of Bode, he is the last thing Station 42 needs as a leader right now due to his volatility throughout this season. Plus, he repeatedly contemplated taking the painkillers he was holding, seeing them as an escape hatch through his grief. Manny uses his keen wisdom to assist Bode through this specific situation, but what if it happens again? Chief Richards shows remarkable leniency with Bode throughout the episode, recognizing that Bode is a son grieving over the tragic loss of his father. That said, Richards points out Bode’s recurring problem with authority, yet another reason Bode is not cut out for higher leadership in CAL Fire. Ultimately, Manny proves to be an exceptional leader who emotionally reaches Bode on a stronger level than Jake, Vince, or even his mother, Sharon (Diane Farr).

Station 42 Is Finally in Good Hands

“Like a Wild Wildebeest” plays like a major turning point for Fire Country, resolving multiple ongoing conflicts while also introducing new ones. It sets up Manny as the new permanent battalion chief at Station 42 moving forward, and Bode finally gets rid of the painkillers. It also develops the intrigue of the note found in Vince’s guitar case from a mysterious individual, suggesting that Vince was having an affair, along with the reveal that the Zabel Ridge Fire that reached the Buena Vista facility that took Vince’s life was a case of arson. Fire Country has a lot to chew on moving forward for the rest of Season 4, but it’s great to see Manny leading the charge now in the aftermath of Vince’s passing.

Manny taking the lead at Station 42 is surprising because he did not even appear to be a candidate for the job at the start of the season. However, now that Manny has the job, it feels right because he’s always appeared as a seasoned mentor throughout the show’s run. He is honest to a fault, and he knows how to speak to his friends, family, and firefighters in their worst moments, showing a remarkable level of empathy, honesty, and understanding. Before Chief Richards leaves, he explains to Manny that what Station 42 needs now is “family healing,” and Manny is the only man in Edgewater who can make that a reality.