S01.E06: Like Old Times

[jewel21]

Quote

After a hiker falls from a steep cliff, Bode and Jake put aside their differences to make a daring rescue. Also, Sharon reveals devastating news to Bode.

Airdate: 11/18/2022

[possibilities]

So Jake thinks Bode disappeared out of cowardice, and not because Vince told him to. And Bode is keeping that secret.

And once again, Vince is doing things Sharon doesn't want, because he thinks he knows better what's good for her-- first he kicks her son out of their lives and now he's costing her her job.

It's hard not to hate him at this point. He hasn't learned a damn thing.

Edited November 19, 2022 by possibilities
fixed name of Vince (not Vic)

[Danielg342]

Why do I keep coming back to this show? I think the simple answer is, despite all its faults, we clearly do have a great group of actors committed to their characters as well as having absolutely undeniable chemistry with each other.

You hope, at some point, this show will realize that and learn to get past its hokey stories and characterizations, because great acting can only elevate the script so much.

I had an audible laugh when Bode asked Sharon if she was going to need a transplant. We've been saying that will be the storyline for weeks on this very board, with Bode as the donor. Granted, Bode didn't offer up his own kidney in this episode, but, now that the show has started us down this path, don't bet against Bode doing so.

I also had a bit of a chuckle when Sharon told Bode his next parole hearing was coming in "five and a half months' time". Just in time for the May finales. So, I think we know what this finale will look like.

I admit, there were a lot of story beats I did appreciate. Bode's character growth by deciding he needed to be more of a "team guy" even if it meant dialing down his relationship with Gabriella. Luke stepping up for Sharon because "that's what brothers do" (even though I'm not sure I truly believe that was his motive). Eve bringing Jake to the prison camp so that the three of them can finally "make peace" with Bode. Manny finally coming around on his daughter's wishes.

If this was a "clean up" episode where the writers resolve their old plots and move on to better ones, then it's a welcome effort. They just need to start producing those better efforts, especially now that their immediate future is secure.

Of particular note, I did like the "case of the week" storyline, since they kept things simple and straightforward, without throwing in too many complications. I'm also thinking that if I'm ever in a situation where I need to be tended to in an emergency situation, I don't think there's anyone else I want pumping me up more than Eve. Jules Latimer really did well tonight.

As did Billy Burke and Diane Farr as Vince and Sharon. Far too often, you see couples in TV shows and you wonder why they fell in love with each other, let alone became a couple or even got married. I don't ask that about the Leones. They centre each other and keep each other in balance in ways I've never seen it done on a Hollywood show, even on shows where the couple were the main focus. Plus, Farr and Burke have unmistakable chemistry- if I didn't know any better I would have thought they were married to each other.

Maybe down the road, Farr and Burke can have a series to themselves. Maybe even a Fire Country spin-off. We'll see about that, though they are great together, no question about that.

[Dowel Jones]

Well, of course Super Bodie has rope rescue skills.  Not only that, but more than the specialty training that the helitack crew supposedly has.  And what was that with Eve's 'cut me loose' bullshit?  She must have fallen 50' or so, easily enough to kill herself.  At least they should have had a safety line from the copter in addition to the rescue line, but no.  Gotta get rid of the most important tool there so Bodie and Jake can have a chance to work together.

[mythoughtis]

17 hours ago, Dowel Jones said:

Well, of course Super Bodie has rope rescue skills.  Not only that, but more than the specialty training that the helitack crew supposedly has.  And what was that with Eve's 'cut me loose' bullshit?  She must have fallen 50' or so, easily enough to kill herself.  At least they should have had a safety line from the copter in addition to the rescue line, but no.  Gotta get rid of the most important tool there so Bodie and Jake can have a chance to work together.

Agreed… except what Helitack crew?  There was the pilot, copilot ( at least I hope so since he wasn’t flying the helicopter ), and Gabriella and Eve. Where was the helicopter rescue staff?  Shouldn’t one of them have been descending instead of Eve? 
I was even more annoyed about Gabriella being the star firefighter 3 days or so after training.   I doubt she would have  been in the helicopter in real life.  In fact, Gabriella just annoys me in general.  Quit focusing on Bode while you are sleeping with Jake- and I don’t even like Jake. 

[Daff]

This program really needs to hire a first responder medical specialist. They get it sooo wrong every time. Yes, there’s a distal pulse present (indicating no arterial bleeding), why would you then apply a tourniquet??? Femoral breaks require a traction splint to avoid damage to the femoral artery before moving the victim. Ok, tide is a threat? If there’s an environmental risk, she should have been long-axis dragged to safety (to minimize risk of further damage). If she could apply a tourniquet one-handed, she could have easily grabbed that victim by the collar and hauled her to safer ground. Hobbling the victim along on her one good leg pretty much ensured damage to her artery. And what’s with the stick-wood splint they (finally) applied, while they’ve got “state-of-the-art” head restraint?

[circumvent]

8 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

In fact, Gabriella just annoys me in general.

Same. Don't like the actor either. 

I thought this episode was weak and boring. The premise of the show is good, it is different from other firefighter shows where they are always the heroes, because they are so dedicated to their jobs, blah, blah. This show is a good idea badly executed. They are falling in the same traps of the hero always saving the day. What about the prisoners who work more than any other firefighter and have no union representation, no real protection? I don't know who the Bode actor is, never seen him, but saw that he is one of the creators. To me, it looks like he is in a egomaniac trip

[Raja]

5 hours ago, circumvent said:

Same. Don't like the actor either. 

I thought this episode was weak and boring. The premise of the show is good, it is different from other firefighter shows where they are always the heroes, because they are so dedicated to their jobs, blah, blah. This show is a good idea badly executed. They are falling in the same traps of the hero always saving the day. What about the prisoners who work more than any other firefighter and have no union representation, no real protection? I don't know who the Bode actor is, never seen him, but saw that he is one of the creators. To me, it looks like he is in a egomaniac trip

He was the new guy added to the SEAL Team when it premired on CBS. Within a couple of seasons he's the guy in charge when the two leaders get hurt.

Which brings me to the modern TV firefighters shows where there never seems to be a boss working overtime or a HQ waiting to step in when the boss goes down.

Edited November 20, 2022 by Raja

[circumvent]

Just now, Raja said:

He was the new guy added to the SEAL Team.

I suspect this is another show? I never heard of it

[Raja]

5 minutes ago, circumvent said:

I suspect this is another show? I never heard of it

They moved it, SEAL Team to Paramount streaming and wounded their young costar to explain his leaving when he got the Fire County gig.

Edited November 20, 2022 by Raja

[possibilities]

7 hours ago, Daff said:

This program really needs to hire a first responder medical specialist.

Also, I take my blood pressure at home every day and I was always taught to take it sitting up with my feet on the floor. They had what's her name (Bode's mom) taking hers all crunched up on the couch with her feet up and knees bent close to her chest. It wouldn't have been hard to give stage direction to change positions. It's not as big of a deal as the cliff rescue mess, but it's a little thing that is so easy to get right, and they aren't trying.

[izabella]

16 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

 In fact, Gabriella just annoys me in general.  Quit focusing on Bode while you are sleeping with Jake- and I don’t even like Jake. 

This.  Dislike her for playing so coy with them both.

[Lady Calypso]

Yeah, I've still been watching but I find myself getting more annoyed at the predictable TV tropes. I really hoped this show would avoid such obvious cliches, but alas, even this show isn't immune to boring love triangles, secret keeping, and plots either getting dragged out or being wrapped up too quickly. Also, the fact that Bode and Gabi are the ones who unrealistically keep solving problems on the job that apparently others can't. Bode more than Gabi, of course, but it's frustrating to see Bode at the center of EVERY SINGLE JOB and I'm also questioning why Gabi has been helpful on more than one job when she's still very, very new. 

Now, this episode, Gabi was more support than anything, but it definitely feels like she'll continue to be more than helpful on the job and she really shouldn't be. We need her to really be asking questions like she did here and have people tell her what to do. I'm just very worried she'll solve problems like last episode with the water and with her already grating on my nerves with the borderline emotional cheating with Bode and disrespecting her boyfriend in the process, it's very possible she becomes that character that is never wrong and does everything right with no consequences to her actions. I really, really hope not. 

Speaking of the Gabi/Bode/Jake love triangle, which is the WORST part of the show and something I HIGHLY doubt is over, it makes me detest everyone involved. Jake's no saint, he's not that great of a character even, but Bode AND Gabi both know what they're doing. Bode recognized it here and stepped back, at least, but it took his mom's diagnosis for him to even do that. Bode knew that continuously calling Gabi was subconsciously a dig at Jake. Gabi knows either part of the story or the full story with Bode, Jake, and Riley, so she should recognize that reaching out to Bode secretly and talking to him more than her own boyfriend is wrong, yet she seems utterly clueless or she just doesn't care. Either way, that's a major part of why I do not like her. Plus, I don't think that Bode/Gabi have enough chemistry for me to enjoy this storyline, even without the grey areas surrounding their budding relationship.

Now, that's not to say this show is completely unsalvageable. Bode/Sharon/Vince is my favourite part of this show. Could there be more nuance there? Maybe a little, but family drama like this is something I love watching, and seeing these three actors together or separately is a real joy. Diane Farr and Billy Burke work REALLY well together, and Max has great chemistry with both of them. I do wish we saw way more tension with Vince and Bode. We've gotten some but I feel like they could really stretch their strained relationship even further because what that family went through, and what we've been told about Bode's behaviour as a teen/young adult, makes sense to why Vince/Bode can't patch up their relationship in a few months.

Vince's brother IS intriguing. I do like that they've kept him in a more grey area. He's vying for Sharon's job, but it's not JUST because he's power hungry. Vince is being selfish by not telling Sharon he recommended she take a leave of absence but we also see he's doing it for her health. I like complexities like that.

The case this week was fine, but a LOT of questions surrounding it.

Overall, I still enjoy aspects of this show but loathe the cliches that come with it.

[tinderbox]

I enjoy this show, in general.  It’s gotten better since the first couple of episodes.

I LOVE the family dynamic between Vince, Sharon, and Bode (mostly Vince and Sharon). Glad the have introduced Vince’s brother.

I also enjoy the character who plays Gabriella’s dad.  Very good actor.  

I’d love to see more personal involvement and backstory with the other prisoners. 

I think Gabriella is completely miscast.  Zero chemistry with Bode and Jake.  Plus, nothing about her body language or acting choices screams “firefighter” to me.  I actually laugh when I watch her trying to “be” a firefighter.

[circumvent]

1 hour ago, tinderbox said:

Plus, nothing about her body language or acting choices screams “firefighter” to me.  I actually laugh when I watch her trying to “be” a firefighter.

I agree. Watching her being a firefighter is like watching a child playing being a super hero, with exaggerated movements, too much theatrics to show that they are saving the world, or whatever super heroes do in today's kids imagination

[Stevie Nicks]

On 11/20/2022 at 8:51 AM, Raja said:

They moved it, SEAL Team to Paramount streaming and wounded their young costar to explain his leaving when he got the Fire County gig.

They did more than wound him. They killed his character off for no good reason, when it would have been totally plausible to let him and his family ride off into the sunset. Max has also been in Bates Motel. Excellent there.  And the actor that plays Sonny on Seal Team (AJ Buckley) is one of the producers of Fire Country too. 

I'm ok so far with this show. Needs some tweaks but overall, not awful. 

Edited November 25, 2022 by Stevie Nicks

[b4pjoe]

6 hours ago, Stevie Nicks said:

They did more than wound him. They killed his character off for no good reason, when it would have been totally plausible to let him and his family ride off into the sunset. Max has also been in Bates Motel. Excellent there.  And the actor that plays Sonny on Seal Team (AJ Buckley) is one of the producers of Fire Country too. 

I'm ok so far with this show. Needs some tweaks but overall, not awful. 

They should bring Stella over from Seal Team as Bode’s new love interest. They had great chemistry there. And it would make me feel better about them killing Clay off on Seal Team. 😀

[Stevie Nicks]

1 hour ago, b4pjoe said:

They should bring Stella over from Seal Team as Bode’s new love interest. They had great chemistry there. And it would make me feel better about them killing Clay off on Seal Team. 😀

I agree! 

[SonofaBiscuit]

Oh god, not Stella 😩  

I saw Rebecca in the preview for the next episode (it looked like everyone had their hands tied behind their backs??), so I hope she gets the chance to interact more with Bode in the episode. Gabriella/Bode is just a no go for me 👎🏻

The Sharon/Bode/Vince stuff is what interests me most, so I hope to see more of that in the future. Sadly, I don’t have any interest in anything Jake or Gabriella and would not care if both left before the end of the season (they’ll  can go off and be happy together!!).

Did not realize that AJ Buckley is a producer. That’s cool - I like him and would be thrilled if he showed up here (even for just one episode).

[Stevie Nicks]

2 hours ago, SonofaBiscuit said:

Oh god, not Stella 😩  

 👎🏻

Did not realize that AJ Buckley is a producer. That’s cool - I like him and would be thrilled if he showed up here (even for just one episode).

Not a Stella fan? 😂 It's a big club. But I liked her better than the DC idiot he was dating. We just happened to catch AJ's name on the credits. I love him too. Topic? I think Bode’s uncle (I'm terrible with names) is a shit stirring ass so far.