Fire Country: In Episode 3, Jake Emerges as the Sole Voice of Reason!

Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for Fire Country Season 3, Episode 3 - because apparently, we can't just live our lives without knowing what everyone else is up to, can we?

So, it’s Bode’s (Max Thieriot) first day at cadet training for the Edgewood Rescue Crew, and you know what that means: a healthy dose of chaos right out of the gate! Picture this—Jake (Jordan Calloway), armed with a suspicious eyebrow and an agenda, wastes no time confronting Bode and Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) about a necklace belonging to Gil (Paul Moniz de Sa) that he found tucked away in Bode’s locker. And, bless them for not trying to pull a fast one. However, Jake is not exactly having a spa day here; he’s mad. I mean, sure, who wouldn't be put in an awkward position if their friends were hiding things in their locker? It’s the adult version of being the last to know about a surprise party—only in this case, everyone gets burned—and again, I mean literally.

Now, let’s pause for the part where Bode, in a rare moment of teenage angst, decides to flip the script and accuse Jake of snooping. But Jake, channeling his inner parental figure, quickly reminds him that, surprise! He doesn’t actually own that locker. In fact, Cal Fire owns it. Imagine, just for a moment, if that were the same logic we applied to everyone’s personal space. Bode digs himself deeper, and as Jake benches Gabriela, Bode feels that icy grip of authority on his first day. Welcome to the jungle, folks! Who knew cadet training meant sharp tongues and sharper consequences?

Next up is the infamous "drill den," which sounds more like a scene from a survival horror movie than a training exercise. Here, they have to save a hidden dummy from a simulated fire. Fail this drill, they add a cocktail of strikes to their record, and three strikes? Well, that’s the equivalent of being sent home from summer camp. Each participant would rather pull their own hair than face that fate. Bode, paired with Audrey (Leven Rambin), is suddenly aware that she’s as skeptical about him as she is about survival tactics. It turns out she carries her own baggage—at this point, you could practically start a therapy group for misfit cadets—with her past involving drugs and failed attempts at redemption. They’re both juggling past mistakes while walking a tightrope that could send them spiraling at any moment.

As if that's not enough drama to fuel a soap opera, Bode is on a quest to win back Jake’s favor. Because of course, the last thing he wants is for his career to tumble down the rabbit hole along with Gabriela's. Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey), Bode's lovable grandpa, pops in as if he were the cosmic cheerleader they didn’t know they needed. He casually drops truths about hiding dummies, because who doesn’t take advice from family during a fire drill?

Now the clock ticks and they make a “miraculous” save with only 30 seconds left. But, plot twist! Jake isn’t a rookie. He’s fully aware of the drama unfolding behind the scenes. Bode’s last-minute decision to pivot for the dummy raises an eyebrow—or two—because he didn’t communicate that switch. It's like bringing a dessert to a potluck but forgetting to tell everyone you made it. Bode’s penchant for bending the truth might not bite him right away, but oh boy, does it turn Jake into the heavy. “Trust was the name of the game today, Bode!” Jake shouts—ever the quintessential boss, juggling authority and mild panic.

Against all odds, they bond, yet Audrey isn't chilling with Bode’s newfound glory. She pleads with Jake to take one of Bode’s strikes. They now sit in a precarious two strikes each. How romantic! This whole heroic endeavor is turning into a relationship-building exercise marked by misunderstandings and bad choices—perfect fodder for a rom-com. Meanwhile, Gabi and Bode confess about the necklace to the ever-sweet Gil, who, instead of being mad, is just happy to be alive and free enough to enjoy more fishing trips. It’s the kind of storyline you’d expect from a feel-good movie, only this time with a twist of chaos sprinkled over it.

But wait—Gabi has a moment of clarity amidst the disaster. She reflects on how impulsive decisions follow her whenever Bode is around, which, let’s be honest, is a smart insight. It’s the classic “are we good for each other?” conversation. Meanwhile, Bode, blissfully unaware, thinks this calamity is a “soul-bonding” experience, when in reality, Gabi just wants them to take a timeout and find their footing first. Oh, sweet delusion. Perhaps this round of couple's therapy will finally stick?

In the same episode, chaos reigns supreme as Manny (Kevin Alejandro) experiences his own first-day jitters. Cue the predictable yet charming awkwardness. But unlike Bode, Manny is met with cheers instead of eye rolls. The other crew members treat him like the firefighting rock star he is—the kind of reinforcement that would make any seasoned criminal proud.

Manny shines when he helps an injured inmate after an accident involving wood splinters—an unexpected moment that reminds him that being a father is no easy gig. And as the other inmates express their admiration for Gabriela following in his footsteps, you can almost hear his heartstrings resonate. Bravo to the character development