Eve’s complicated family storyline didn’t end on the best of terms in Fire Country season 3, episode 8, but the firefighting drama’s midseason finale introduced a compelling reason for it that deeply entangles the Leones. Ever since Bode joined Three Rock, the influence of the Leone family was unmistakable. Bode and his family’s past highlighted how Vince did everything in his power to push him away from Edgewater, while Sharon did exactly the opposite by pushing Manny to convince Bode to stay, effectively influencing decisions that shouldn’t have had anything to do with them because of their standing in Edgewater.
The Leones being firefighters in Edgewater for generations gave them a certain kind of name, making them popular and part of the social fabric of the town. In the absence of Bode and after Riley’s death, Vince and Sharon treated Jake and Eve as if they were their own children because they became firefighters, thus part of the family. While doing so was welcoming and positive, Fire Country season 3, episode 8 highlighted for the first time how that could also have negative sides, at least for how the Leones’ fame disheartened other members of the community like the Edwards.
Eve’s Ties With The Leones Negatively Impacted Her Relationship With Her Own Family
Elroy Edwards’ Anger & Dig About The Leones Showed They Were The Reason
Eve’s reunion with her father Elroy in Fire Country season 3, episode 8 underlined how their rift had less to do with Eve choosing firefighting and turning her back on ranching and more with her becoming a firefighter by following the Leones. Although Elroy was visibly affected by Eve trying to mend fences, proudly reminding her she had turned her back on their family and ranch, what completely provoked Elroy was Vince coming to tell him what he should do rather than Eve suggesting what was best. Elroy explicitly accused the Leones of never shifting, assuming their being at fault.
[Eve’s] connection to the Leone probably turned her interest in firefighting into a feasible path, making Eve’s inevitable separation from the Edwards more drastic.
Fire Country season 3 gave Eve a bigger role with her FireEducated program and with multiple deep dives into her past, first by the mention of her family and their rift, and then with Francine’s introduction. The entire reason for Eve and Francine’s breakup was Eve feeling Francine didn’t want her to focus on firefighting, prompting her to leave Francine behind. Eve’s friendship with Bode and Riley pushed her closer to the Leones, and her connection to the Leone probably turned her interest in firefighting into a feasible path, making Eve’s inevitable separation from the Edwards more drastic.
The Leones’ Firefighting Legacy Has Become More Of A Burden In Fire Country
Walter Influencing Bode’s Training & Luke’s Actions Proved That
Becoming a firefighter and part of the Station 42 family, synonymous with the Leones, made Eve appreciate how everyone in Edgewater was grateful for their being first responders, highlighting the differences between herself and her family, who didn’t appreciate her and the Leones’ role. This made the break with the Edwards unavoidable, especially after Riley’s death pushed Eve and the Leones even closer, as they all loved Riley. However, Fire Country season 3, episode 8 showed how the times are different now, making it easier for Eve to understand her family’s perspective if she slightly distanced herself from the Leones.
Elroy’s comments aren’t the first time someone in Fire Country season 3 underlines the problems the Leones bring to Edgewater. The Leone legacy is as much a staple of Edgewater as a curse, and Bode’s wish to earn his place in the Cal Fire training only for his grandpa Walter to give him unfair advantages proved that. Coupled with Luke Leone’s ambition almost resulting in Three Rock closing down in Fire Country season 2, it’s clear the massive influence the Leones have over Edgewater and firefighting has more than one downside in Fire Country.