The events of Fire Country season 3, episode 12 are heart-wrenching on multiple levels, but the firefighting drama finally started unpacking the central tragedy underpinning Fire Country since its inception. Another episode without massive fires threatening the lives and livelihoods of Edgewater’s residents, Fire Country season 3, episode 12 continued Walter’s story, adding another layer to the Leones dealing with Walter’s diagnosis. However, while Sharon and Vince bickered over how long could they leave Walter at home alone and how to handle the practicalities of their new living situation, Walter and Audrey’s moment highlighted an unexpected heartbreak of his illness.
Walter’s loss of independence had been the main focus of the discussion over his diagnosis until Fire Country season 3, episode 12, which highlighted how his confusion led him to mistake a character for someone else entirely, reminding him of the biggest Fire Country tragedy. Although Bode and Jake’s risk assessment trip seemingly gave them some respite from the family drama, their daring attempts to save Rafael also inevitably forced them to face who they lost over the years, reminding them of every Fire Country death, including the one with the most ramifications that happened before the show even started.
Walter Forgetting Riley’s Death Brings The Key Fire Country Tragedy Back To The Forefront
Riley’s Death Couldn’t Properly Be Tackled Before Fire Country Season 3
Walter’s confusion opened the floodgates, prompting him to tell Audrey about the time he spent teaching Bode and Riley how to play poker or teaching Riley baseball, describing the Leones as a happy family at last.
Walter spending his day playing cards with Audrey also let audiences in on what the Leones did before the tragedy hit them and destroyed their family. Walter’s confusion opened the floodgates, prompting him to tell Audrey about the time he spent teaching Bode and Riley how to play poker or teaching Riley baseball, describing the Leones as a happy family at last. Walter mistaking Audrey for Riley thus put a spotlight on Riley’s tragedy at a time when they can finally face it together as a family in Fire Country season 3.
Riley’s Death Changed Bode’s Life & Almost All Major Fire Country Characters
The Tragedy Changed Their Lives & Family For The Worst
Riley’s death had a bigger impact beyond her immediate family, as Eve and Jake were also greatly affected by her death, because of their close bonds and how it led them to become even more part of the Leone family.
Bode’s return to Edgewater after years in Fire Country season 1 forced all these complicated feelings to surface, as Sharon quickly discovered it was Vince’s fault that Bode had run away after Riley’s death. However, as Sharon, Bode and Vince got progressively closer together in Fire Country, Riley’s death became less central, with the three instead preferring to focus on their being back together again and on Bode’s path to earn back his freedom. Walter’s mistake forcefully brought the tragedy to the present, prompting the Leones to start facing having lost Riley together.
The Leones’ Reunion Means They Need To Finally Process The Grief Around Losing Riley
Doing It Together Can Finally Bring Them Peace
Walter showing Audrey all the happy pictures of the Leone family also revealed how they stopped taking family pictures after the tragedy. With Riley’s death effectively scattering the Leones all over, they never had a chance to grieve Riley together, and they couldn’t have done so in the immediate aftermath of the car crash anyway, as angry at themselves and one another were Vince and Bode.
