Bode’s struggles about firefighting were front and center in Fire Country season 3, episode 13, but another character suffered a major blow with the surprising death at the episode’s end, which risks undoing all their development. Fire Country season 3 has been particularly challenging for Edgewater’s firefighters. Between Bode becoming one and dealing with a difficult training and even more difficult first days on the job and Gabriela having to regain her hard-earned reputation as a firefighter after running away on a call in Fire Country season 3, episode 8, they both had to handle serious challenges on the job.
Bode and Gabriela’s paths were riddled with obstacles, but theirs weren’t the only challenging developments in Fire Country season 3. Chief among all, the Leones and especially Vince had to grapple with his father Walter’s mortality after his diagnosis, but Eve struggled with making up with her family and Francine too, along with Manny landing again in Three Rock and having to find a purpose after his life handed him a challenge he thought he had already overcome. Birch dying at the end of Fire Country season 3, episode 13 risks the latter’s development especially, given Manny and Birch’s history.
How Birch’s Death Could Negatively Impact Manny’s Arc In Fire Country Season 3
Manny Inspired Birch To Give Up Alcohol & Own Up To His Mistakes
Kevin Alejandro as Manny Perez in Fire Country season 3 episode 13
Manny seriously fought for Birch’s sobriety, and this was as true in Fire Country season 3, episode 10 as in season 3, episode 13. While Manny might have been angered by Birch’s choice to drink pruno on the job, after Eve had discovered the contraband alcohol, Manny refused to implicate Birch, instead standing by his belief Birch should have owned up to his mistake. As Birch and Manny’s fellow inmate firefighters got angry at Birch, as they would all get written up if he didn’t confess, Manny’s speech inspired Birch to own up to his mistake and get sober too.
Manny’s impact on Birch was undeniable even if Birch didn’t like Manny. Indeed, while Birch listened to Manny, he didn’t trust him, and he was worried that getting treated in the prison infirmary would have endangered his sobriety. Manny didn’t insist on Birch going to the infirmary earlier because he wanted to preserve his sobriety, but Birch’s death could have been prevented had he received medical assistance earlier, making Manny feel guilty for Birch’s death. Birch dying will inevitably impact both Eve and Manny, but Manny’s hand in pushing for treating Birch’s illness at the camp can hurt Manny more.
Fire Country Season 3 Already Showed Not Having A Purpose Harmed Manny
Not Leading The Inmate Firefighters Left Manny Weary
Manny’s path in Fire Country season 3 was less than straightforward. While he was happy to return to Three Rock instead of going to prison for punching Luke Leone in front of the governor, Manny serving his sentence at Three Rock still meant he repeated his past mistakes, which got him imprisoned again. Not having a purpose at Three Rock led Manny to commiserate himself, which was made even worse by his not talking with Gabriela for most of Fire Country season 3.
Manny inspired Cole to let go of his anger and Birch to do the right thing, making Birch’s death feel like a stain on him as a leader.
Manny returned to his original role in Fire Country season 3 when he took on more of a leadership position within Three Rock, becoming First Saw and inspiring the inmates to be upstanding, rejoicing in the opportunity Three Rock gave all of them. Manny inspired Cole to let go of his anger and Birch to do the right thing, making Birch’s death feel like a stain on him as a leader, as Manny probably believes he should have protected Birch. Not being a leader anymore can only hurt Manny and make his time at Three Rock worse in Fire Country.
