Why Bode Is Such A Bad Firefighter Is Finally Answered With Fire Country Season 3, Episode 12 Death

Warning! SPOILERS about Fire Country season 3, episode 12 ahead.

Bode’s tendency not to follow orders has been a constant since the beginning of Fire Country, but season 3, episode 12 finally provided the connection between Bode’s past and his need to save everyone, even if it put him or others in danger as a result. Bode and Jake’s risk assessment trip to the Trinity National Forest should have protected them from the action, instead it propelled them right into it after they discovered someone under the rockslide. Trying to save Rafael changed their purpose and placed them in a fight against time in Fire Country season 3, episode 12.

Dealing with searching for Rafael was difficult for Bode and Jake, as they immediately thought about who they had lost after Rafael asked them about what they believed came after death. The terrible circumstances didn’t stop Bode and Jake from following protocols, protecting themselves and Rafael from ulterior slides. Still, too many obstacles were stacked against them, which led to Rafael dying right before Jake could reach him and Bode with the emergency services and medical supplies. Losing Rafael was tough, but it also highlighted how Bode’s firefighting mistakes in Fire Country were connected to his inability to accept losses.

Bode Being Unable To Save Riley Heavily Influences His Tendency To Disobey

Bode’s Problems With Rafael’s Case Showed How Not Saving Riley Hurt Him

Bode’s penchant for disobeying orders when disagreeing with them was established as early as Fire Country season 1 when he went against Vince’s orders by re-entering a burning building to save a horse. Even Bode’s training to become a Cal Fire firefighter showed such a tendency, to the point Camden Casey wanted to fail Bode because he couldn’t follow orders. In a profession like firefighting, where “command and control discipline is maintained to ensure the safety of firefighters and others,” as described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Bode going his own way highlights his failings as a firefighter.

Jeff Fahey as Walter and Diane Farr as Sharon in Fire Country season 3, episode 10-1

Finally! Someone Admitted The Harsh Truth About The Leones In Fire Country

Fire Country season 3 has been hinting at Walter's serious problems for some time, but the Leone way always stopped Vince from truly facing them.

Posts

Handling Rafael’s rescue involved Bode and Jake working together and adhering to the protocols, and they both gave their all to keep Rafael alive. This was especially true for Bode, who admitted that being there when Riley died made it hard to “find anything to believe in,” directly connecting his biggest tragedy to Rafael’s case. Bode waiting with Rafael for the rescuers showed how he opposed Rafael’s acceptance of his imminent death, pushing him to keep hope alive as Rafael explained the difference between giving up and letting go, while Bode couldn’t see Rafael’s acceptance as anything other than defeat.

How Bode Can Finally Become A Better Firefighter In Fire Country Season 3

Dealing With The Loss Can Help Bode Separate Riley’s Tragedy From His Job's

Billy Burke as Vince, Jeff Fahey as Walter, Max Thieriot as Bode and Diane Farr as Sharon in Fire Country season 3, episode 12.

Walter opening up about losing Riley prompted Audrey to push the Leones together for a family photo in Fire Country season 3, episode 12’s ending. While Bode has yet to open up with them about what losing Rafael meant for him, Fire Country finally tackling Riley’s tragedy can let the Leones grieve as a family. This can potentially benefit Bode directly, as his insubordination always presents itself when he believes an order he received to be wrong because it wouldn’t let him save somebody.

Were Bode to succeed [in overcoming Riley’s tragedy], it could help him detach every call from his past tragedy, finally letting him take steps in the right direction to become a good firefighter in Fire Country season 3.

Fire Country season 3 establishing how Bode being there when Riley died destabilized him can also make him a better firefighter if Bode starts dealing with how much going through that alone hurt him. Fire Country season 3, episode 12 hinting at Riley’s tragedy returning to the spotlight makes this the perfect moment for Bode to work on having lost Riley in such tragic circumstances. Were Bode to succeed, it could help him detach every call from his past tragedy, finally letting him take steps in the right direction to become a good firefighter in Fire Country season 3.

Episode #	Title	Release Date
1	What the Bride Said	October 18, 2024
2	Firing Squad	October 25, 2024
3	Welcome to the Cult	November 1, 2024
4	Keep Your Cool	November 8, 2024
5	Edgewater's About to Get Real Cozy	November 15, 2024
6	Not Without My Birds	November 22, 2024
7	False Alarm	December 6, 2024
8	Promise Me	December 13, 2024
9	Coming in Hot	January 31, 2025
10	The Leone Way	February 7, 2025
11	Fare Thee Well	February 14, 2025
12	I'm the One Who Just Goes Away	February 21, 2025
13	My Team	February 28, 2025
14	Death Trap	March 7, 2025

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

Sources: Health and Safety Executive