Fire Country Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Too Many Unknowns

Families reunite in more ways than one on Fire Country Season 2 Episode 4, “Too Many Unknowns.”

“Too Many Unknowns” is multifaceted and targets the multiple different storylines at play, but one of its most prominent messages is how important family is.

Whether it be Isla getting lost in the woods and being led back to her family with Bode’s help, Gabriella’s reluctance to jump stations, or the man pinned in the chemical factory realizing that family is too precious to ignore in what he believed to be his final moments, family is at the forefront of this episode.

A Sensible Work/Life Balance

It’s hard to believe we’re only four episodes into the season, and we’ve already started to see the unraveling of Gabriella and Diego’s relationship. Adding fuel to that flame: this is only our second episode seeing him play a significant role, and they’re already having issues.

“Too Many Unknowns” illuminates the inconsistencies in Gabriella’s relationship with Diego, pinpointing how quickly they’re moving as a problem. It’s great getting to see her experience a bit of happiness, but it feels like false hope.

Gabriella is a family-centric person; it’s one of the qualities that make her character likable and relatable, but Diego can’t see the importance of that in her life.

If their relationship was as solid as they make it out to be, Diego would be aware that leaving Station 42 and everyone she knows behind has never been a thought in her mind.

While this may be the first “fight” we’ve witnessed between the two, their actions throughout the episode only lead me to believe my theory that Bode and Gabriella will reunite by the end of the season more and more.

Another factor that only further validates my theory is the parallels between Season 2 Episode 3, “See You Next Apocalypse” and “Too Many Unknowns.”

Toward the end of episode 3, we see Gabriella tell Bode he can’t continue looking at her as if he cared about her. On this episode, a frantic Gabriella attempts to ride in the ambulance alongside Bode despite her current fiance being the driver.

The tension between the three is palpable and undeniable.

Becoming A Better Man

Bode may be painted as a no-good-convict who needs to change his ways to those looking down on him from the outside, but to fans of the series, we’re privy to the heart of gold he carries around.

Unfortunately, Bode also deals with a great deal of anxiety and PTSD that holds him back at times, and “Too Many Unknowns” is throwing him right back to the wolves, theoretically.

Throughout the series, instead of focusing on the bigger picture, we’ve experienced Bode making certain aspects of his life the main focus to get through whatever troubles he’s experiencing in a day-by-day mindset, and he’s done just that with Genevieve.

Since deciding he wants to become a better man and the best father he can be to Genevieve, Bode has been putting in the extra work to be a person she’s proud of. It’s an admirable trait, but it’s also troublesome.

With him putting all of his energy into proving he’s someone worth caring for to Genevieve and Cara, Cara’s revelation that she thinks introducing him to Gen was a mistake will undoubtedly cause friction in his life. That sentiment is highlighted through Bode’s interactions with Cole after realizing Gen witnessed him being manhandled by the CO.

He essentially lost all hope and was to the point of regressing into his old ways, but Cole talked him through it and showed him there’s still much to look forward to.

There’s no telling where Bode’s storyline will go after the cliffhanger at the end of the episode, but it’s sure to be drama-filled thanks to the love triangle at play.

Growing as a Leader

It’s great that we’re seeing Eve grow more and more as an authority figure because we don’t spend enough time focused on her character. However, a particular aspect of her actions in this episode needs to be analyzed.

Her interactions with Cole are hot and cold at various moments throughout “Too Many Unknowns,” and it’s unwarranted. Discovering the family of Cole’s victim has petitioned for him to be removed from Three Rock is a damning situation that leaves nobody happy in the end. Still, the way she approaches it is entirely wrong.

Cole spends the majority of the episode working to help those around him while staying within the parameters of his conviction; examples are his interactions with Isla, providing worthwhile advice to Bode in his mission to be a good father, and saving Bode’s life.

One of the most upsetting moments is the double standards in Eve’s actions towards Cole versus Bode when interacting with civilians.

When Cole fistbumps the hazmat captain in charge of the chemical plant fire and expresses his gratitude for her help, Eve takes it upon herself to get an attitude with him. But it’s not a significant deal when Bode smashes through a home window to grab civilians instead of waiting for backup.

Cole: Oh, so we’re good to put hands on civilians now?
Eve: Right now, you’re not an inmate. You’re a firefighter.

Her mindset on the matter is confusing, to say the least, because if that’s the case, how did Cole go from firefighter back to inmate the instant they thought the fire was out?

The least Eve could do is have a civil conversation with Cole about what’s going on, but instead, she resorts to scolding and treating him as if he’s not safe to be around without informing him why she’s acting so cold toward him.

It’s an infuriating aspect of the episode that left me wanting a more pivotal interaction between the two.

—

Stray Thoughts:

The heroic, nothing-else-in-world-matters-but-saving-your-life version of Bode is the one I love watching the most.

While I am rooting for Bode and Genevieve’s relationship to blossom, I can’t deny how adorable her bond with Jake is. He’s a great uncle and a newfound potential stepfather to Genevieve, and I love that the series focuses on small moments such as those.

What did you think of this episode of Fire Country? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Fire Country returns on April 5 at 9/8c on CBS.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!