There are plenty ofprocedural dramas on television, primarily finding homes on network television. Some have been going on for decades, making them harder to start for the first time, and others are just beginning or in their earlier seasons. CBS’s latest drama,Fire Country,developed by Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, and Max Thieriot, is already off to a fresh and engaging start, differentiating it slightly from other series where improvement occurs in later seasons.
Fire Countrystarscreator Max Thieriotas Bode Donovan, an inmate whose sentence could be shortened if he presents promising attributes in a volunteer program that lands him back into his hometown, where he’s to assist in Cal Fire operations. His father is the battalion chief, working alongside his mother and others to extinguish flames blazing in Northern California. Though in its early stages, the series gives viewers a clear picture of where it wants to go, placing redemption and second chances centerfold as a reoccurring theme. And while there are plenty of similar series,Fire Countryis worth watching for its more distinct premise, dynamics, and already compelling character development. CBS gave it a full season order shortly after the series premiere, and it will also be returning for a second season (viaVariety).
It Features an Unseen Side of Firefighters
Procedurals centered around firefighters on television are common, withseries likeChicago Firein its 11th season and Fox’s9-1-1orABC’sStation 19carrying solid viewership. ButFire Countryfocuses intentionally on combining two different forms of firefighters to tell a straightforward story about redemption. At the start, viewers learn that one of the main characters, Bode Donovan, is facing a sentence for an armed robbery and hasn’t been home since an event that merits watching without spoilers.
Whatever occurs to take Bode on the path toward self-destruction then anchors the episodes to a place of complex character excavations as the perils of grief are peeled layer by layer. With every passing episode, the series dives deeper into breaking apart what matters for these characters and how a singular event changed the entire trajectory of their lives. Further, as we see more of the inmates in high-stakes circumstances, the series allows viewers to understand the importance of human lives and what it means for people to be treated for who they are instead of who they were.
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The Dynamics Are All Riveting
On any show, relationships are crucial to have something worthwhile to hang onto. The plot can only take viewers so far before it starts to feel contrived for the purpose of storytelling only. Suppose the narrative doesn’t allow fans to invest in relatable or compelling dynamics; in that case, it lacks the necessary component to ground the series to a more raw and nuanced place. Thankfully, that’s not an issue withFire Countrybecause each dynamic is rich in depth, even when there’s animosity lingering between two characters. Bode and Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway) have a complicated history that binds them with roadblocks in their path. There’s plenty to unpack with the two of them alone, but at the same time, Bode’s budding friendship with Gabriella Perez (Stephanie Arcila) poses an even more significant threat to the ongoing arguments. Whether the series allows the men to find it within themselves to put aside their demons or not, scenes with the three provide riveting storytelling beats.
Further, the series establishes an incredibly healthy marriage between two people who’ve been together for ages, showcasing that it’s anything but dull when people are steady without drama. Vince and Sharon Leone, played by Billy Burke and Diane Farr, are Bode’s parents and also chiefs at Cal Fire. They’re partners at home and at work, making their dynamic even more riveting because viewers get realistic depictions of what it looks like to consistently live through trauma and have someone beside them who understands it all. At the same time,Fire Countryis a series about the complicated relationships between parents and their children, what it means to let go and hold on tightly, carefully using every moment of screen time necessary to showcase deeper understanding. Solid friendships are fortified, and romantic relationships are budding with heavy angst, but every moment shared between the characters makes the series more gripping.
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The Characters Are Fleshed Out
Not many shows give almostevery main charactera proper backstory to piggyback off of in the debut season, butFire Countrydoes so in an enamoring fashion. There’s not a single character, and guest stars included, who aren’t already fleshed out and well on their way toward exhibiting relatable complexities that add necessary layers to making a TV show fascinating. Because the series dives deep into addressing layers within a procedural that are rare, it leaves plenty of room to allow the characters to be the driving force of the narrative.
Characters onFire Countryare far from perfect, which is precisely what makes their arcs so compelling. They’re messy, complicated, and chock-full of faults, but each brings something essential to the overarching theme. Where mistakes are made, redemption is well on the way, and if nothing else, their diverse personality traits contribute to making the dynamics that much more inclusive and fascinating.
