CBSDeath isn’t exactly something you want in your TV show, but it happens. Fire Country is no stranger to danger, but Season 3 is finally addressing the most important death of all.
If you’ve never watched Fire Country before, that’s a rather grim opening. The binge-worthy TV show isn’t all doom and gloom, focusing on a prison program reforming criminals through tackling blazes.
Bode is our man of the hour, going through a tough journey of his own. Things looked like they were on the up, making his mark at Station 42 (not always the right one, mind) and finally getting things going with love interest Audrey. But that’s all about to change.
Fire Country Season 3 is turning the drama on its head, delving into Bode’s biggest unresolved trauma… and most shocking death of all.
Riley’s death will send Bode spiraling in Fire Country Season 3
It’s taken three seasons, but the death of Bode’s younger sister Riley is finally going to be addressed – and that’s not good news for Bode.
CBSFire Country Season 3 Episode 12 set the chain in motion, with Walter’s diagnosis leading him to forget Riley’s death ever happened. Walter actually mistook Audrey for Riley while she was at the Leone house, with the confusion escalating the tension that’s been under the surface since day one.
Audrey spends time with Walter, hearing about him teaching Bode and Riley how to play poker or teaching Riley baseball.
It’s all a stark reminder that the Leones haven’t dealt with Riley’s death together, with Walter now the catalyst for bringing the trauma back to the forefront. We first see the family destroyed by this in Season 1 Episode 8, where two teens stuck in a car on a bridge, leading to the reveal Vince blames Bode for Riley’s death.
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Sharon later learns it was Vince who caused Bode to run away in the immediate aftermath, with Sharon and Bode’s reunion eventually pushing Riley to the backburner. Fast forward two seasons and the family has its chance to grieve together, but it won’t be plain sailing.
Bode’s skills as a firefighter are already questionable, but reliving Riley’s death properly is sure to send him on the ultimate downward spiral. His family drama has been ongoing, and his attempts to save Rafael with Jake certainly aren’t helping matters. Having to deal with something he’s buried for so long is likely to be the push that sends him over the edge.
How did Riley die in Fire Country?
Riley died before Fire Country even began, dying in a car crash after being dumped by Jake.
CBSBode accompanied her home after her birthday party, which is why he has so much pent-up grief and guilt. He was the one driving, also explaining why Vince reacted the way he did to both his son and daughter.
It was also the reason why Bode left Edgewater in the first place – as we’ve hinted above, Vince ordered Bode to stay away from the town after events unfolded. Sharon previously described the night of Riley’s death as the night she lost both of her children, unaware of what her husband had said.
Bode’s had nightmares about all of this for the previous two seasons, essentially meaning we’ve got an eruption of feelings about to play out in the rest of Fire Country Season 3.
Fire Country Season 3 is airing weekly on CBS. In the meantime, read about if Charlie will ever come back, the full 2025 TV show release calendar, and new TV shows streaming this month.
