Elroy Edwards and Vince Leone clashed plenty in Fire Country season 3, episode 8, but episode 9 finally drove Elroy’s message home in a way Vince couldn’t miss, risking the alteration of major relationships as a result. FireEducated’s creation finally put the spotlight on Eve in Fire Country season 3, after her storylines in the firefighting drama only focused on her as a supportive friend to Jake and Bode, her romantic relationships, or her career path after Eve became Three Rock’s captain. The absence of Eve’s family in Fire Country hid a major story, and season 3 finally tackled it.
Eve creating FireEducated, which would have necessarily impacted the Edwards’ lands, and her wish to connect again with her family brought her and Elroy’s past to the forefront of the story in Fire Country season 3, episode 8. The tension was palpable between father and daughter who couldn’t see eye-to-eye, but it became even worse after Vince’s arrival. Fire Country season 3’s winter premiere finally let Vince and Elroy confront one another about the real reason Eve being a firefighter bothered Elroy, and the hornet’s nest it uncovered means Vince cannot ignore what Elroy revealed in a show of vulnerability.
Elroy’s Words Make Vince Realize The Harsh Truth About His Relationships
Vince Relied On Characters Like Jake Or Eve After Riley Had Died
Elroy’s anger at Vince and Cal Fire had to do with their coming to his ranch to tell him what to do with his land, but the biggest reason for his resentment was the fact Elroy saw Eve choosing firefighting and Station 42 as choosing the Leones over her own family. Fire Country season 3, episode 6 offered a glimpse of how dedicated Eve was to firefighting when younger, willing to push aside her relationship with Francine because she felt she wasn’t supported enough in her choice. Eve possibly reacting similarly with her family could easily give Elroy that impression.
When Vince updated Elroy on the plan to save his ranch, Elroy offhandedly commented on what more could they take, referring to Cal Fire but even directly to Vince. Elroy told Vince without half measures how he was sorry his daughter Riley had died, but that didn’t make his attempts to steal Eve away from him right as a consequence. The comment had a lasting effect on Vince, who seemed pained by Elroy’s mention of Riley, but also understanding of what Elroy’s perception had been, thus showing for the first time a willingness to keep his distance from Eve consequently.
Vince’s Realization Sets Up A Sad Future For His Relationships With Eve & Jake
Learning Of Elroy’s Pain Might Make Vince Less Close To Eve & Jake
Recognizing Elroy’s pain having actually lost a daughter might make it difficult for Vince to let his relationship with Eve and Jake go back to normal. Vince keeping his distance from Eve might not directly hurt her given Eve’s desire to spend more time with her family and her career already bringing her away from Station 42, as she captained Three Rock. Indeed, while in the past being closer to the Leones worked for her as much as Sharon as Vince, since they were all missing Bode and mourning Riley, that wasn’t the case anymore in Fire Country season 3.
The Leones’ support, especially Vince’s, would have helped [Jake] go through that tumultuous time, making Vince’s decision to keep his distance after Elroy’s speech happen at the worst possible time.
However, Jake might react entirely differently from Eve. Unlike Eve, he wasn’t patching things up with his family as he was already close to his mother. Still, it was a delicate time for Jake, who had just lost Cara in Fire Country season 2 and recently lost custody of Genevieve to Rick, effectively leaving him without his new family in mere weeks. Dealing with that already created friction with Vince. The Leones’ support, especially Vince’s, would have helped him go through that tumultuous time, making Vince’s decision to keep his distance after Elroy’s speech happen at the worst possible time.
Vince’s New Perspective Sets Up A Worse Path For Jake
Jake Feels Left Out By Vince’s Reaction To Bode’s First Day At Cal Fire
Bode’s first day as a Cal Fire firefighter at Station 42 made Vince and Bode feel closer, especially as to do so had been a longstanding dream of Vince’s. However, Fire Country season 3, episode 9’s ending also highlighted how Bode and Vince’s closeness inevitably led to Jake feeling left out, especially after Vince had treated Jake like a son and his Station 42 heir in the past when Vince wasn’t talking to Bode.
Indeed, Jake always saw Sharon and Vince as family, and his reaction to learning how he was a match for Sharon’s kidney proved how close he had always felt to them, despite a good relationship with his mother. Between Vince and Bode’s better relationship and Vince and Jake’s struggles after Vince gave Jake the wrong advice regarding Genevieve, Vince and Jake’s relationship suffered a lot. Taking a step back with Eve might help the Edwards feel more comfortable in Fire Country season 3, but it would further condemn Jake, who is already feeling left alone by Station 42’s new balance.
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