We Broke Down Why We Should ‘Be Worried’ After Fire Country’s Major Save, Truck Flip And More With The Showrunner

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Be warned, this contains spoilers for the latest episode of Fire Country, titled “Who Owns the Dirt.” You can watch it now if you have a Paramount+ subscription.

Season 4 of Fire Country has been intense! After the unexpected death of Vince and Gabriela leaving, the show has consistently kept viewers hooked. The mid-season finale was no exception, significantly raising the tension. When the show returns in February as part of the 2026 TV lineup, expect plenty of drama – we spoke with showrunner Tia Napolitano to get the inside scoop.

Why We Should ‘Be Worried’ For Tyler, Bode, Jake And Malcolm

I watched the latest episode, “Who Owns the Dirt,” and it was intense! Cal Fire, including Unit 42 and the recently reopened Three Rock station, along with firefighters from Drake County, were battling a huge wildfire, but sadly, they weren’t able to get it under control by the end of the show. It just kept going.

The first half of the season ended with a dramatic scene: Jake and his newly-discovered half-brother, Malcolm – a firefighter they met while on lookout duty – were involved in a firetruck accident. At the same time, Bode was searching for Tyler, the son of someone he used to have a crush on, who had secretly hidden in Manny’s truck. Tyler left the truck to deliver batteries after hearing a radio message, and Bode eventually found him. Now, both Bode and Tyler are trapped by the fire.

In an interview with Riley Utley from TopMob, the showrunner, Tia Napolitano, discussed how concerned viewers should be about recent developments.

This show is intense and carries real risks, much like actual firefighting. From the start of the season, we’ve highlighted that danger is part of the experience – it’s what makes it exciting, but also reflects the bravery of firefighters who put their lives on the line to save others. We want viewers to understand the serious consequences and high stakes involved in this profession.

Fire Country doesn’t shy away from putting its characters in perilous situations, and the show has repeatedly demonstrated the real dangers firefighters face, as seen with Vince’s tragic death.

Watch Fire Country and other CBS shows on Paramount+, with plans starting at $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year. See the deal here.

Breaking Down How The Truck Flip Could Impact Jake And His Brother

You know, as a movie lover, I’m really invested in Jake’s story. For a while now, he’s been desperately trying to reach his brother, Malcolm. It’s gotten to the point where he actually went to Malcolm’s house, but Malcolm’s sister wouldn’t even let him get close – she basically told him to just give up and forget about them. It’s a really frustrating situation, and I’m dying to know what’s going on!

Jake and Malcolm finally encounter each other while assigned to lookout duty during a red flag warning, but their initial interaction is strained. Things take a dangerous turn when the truck they’re in crashes, putting both of them at risk. According to the showrunner, this accident could either help them resolve their issues or further complicate their relationship.

These two brothers recently met in person for the very first time, and it wasn’t a pleasant occasion. They might share a brief moment of connection before facing a dangerous situation. Whether this shared trauma will bring them closer or drive them apart remains to be seen, but it’s a significant event for a relationship that’s just beginning and is already fragile.

There’s already a lot of friction between these characters, and the truck accident could either make things much worse or bring them closer. It would feel especially cruel to introduce Jake’s brother only to have him die, so it seems likely they’ll both survive. This event could be a major challenge for Jake and Malcolm, forcing them to confront issues in their relationship.

I’m also really interested in seeing how Malcolm’s sister responds, as I think her reaction could lead to some unexpected consequences.

Yeah, We Should Be Scared Of Landon

Beyond the major shocks of the mid-season finale, there’s a disturbing development concerning the character Landon. Played by Josh McDermitt, Landon is Chloe’s partner – a welcome reunion with Alona Tal from SEAL Team – and a father figure to her son, Tyler. Last week’s episode revealed Landon has been secretly harming Tyler, and Tyler has now confessed to Bode that he was responsible for starting the Zabel Ridge Fire, which tragically resulted in Vince’s death.

Landon was really eager to resolve the situation with Sharon, especially with Chloe and Tyler staying with her. He was so upset that he went to the fire station to confront her, and it was one of the most frightening things I’ve witnessed on Fire Country. He’s a surprisingly dangerous person, and Napolitano has warned that he’ll continue to be a serious threat in the coming year.

It’s understandable why people are worried. That actor is incredibly frightening, but also very charming – and that’s what makes the character even more unsettling. It makes you wonder what he’s really like when he’s alone. He’s going to be a major source of conflict and a constant danger throughout the story.

People who follow Landon are aware of his potential, so if he was responsible for the Zabel Ridge Fire, that’s a serious concern.

Fans of Fire Country should expect plenty of drama in 2026 – it’s been a consistently unpredictable show from the beginning, and that won’t change even after four seasons. The mid-season premiere on February 27th feels a long way off, but at least viewers will get a short break after the intense first half of the season.

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2025-12-20 21:40