Fire Country Showrunner Hints at What’s Next for Gabriela in Season 3
The Season 2 finale for Fire Country ended with Gabriela and Diego exchanging vows, and Bode coming to terms that she’s now beyond his grasp. The Season 3 trailer teases Bode and Gabi might still happen, however, after her wedding was dashed by a disastrous intervention.
The third season of Fire Country is proving to be the best of the series’ entire run; Season 2 ended with open questions for Bode, Manny, Jake, and Gabriela’s arcs. Gabriela (played by Stephanie Arcila) evidently still had strong feelings for Bode (Max Thieriot) during the finale, enough to distract her thoughts on the wedding aisle. Season 2’s ending teased audiences that Gabi and Diego got married, and that Bode has completely walked away from the situation. However, the Season 3 trailer revealed the wedding ceremony was interrupted by a helicopter crash, and that Bode and Gabi have been given another chance. Showrunner Tia Napolitano told TVLine that Gabi’s Season 3 storyline will be much more complicated than that.
“Gabriela is going to really examine how her family of origin, being Manny and Roberta, affects who she is, and how she views relationship,” Napolitano explained. Gabi’s relationship with her estranged mother is complicated, to say the least; she’s yet to forgive her despite Diego’s efforts to force their reconciliation. The Season 2 finale also ended with Manny’s arrest (for injuring a bystander during a previous brawl with Luke); his prospects aren’t looking good considering he already has a felony conviction. Manny’s legal troubles and Roberta’s return are sure to impact Gabriela’s storyline; Napolitano teased she “is really going to lean into firefighting and succeeding in that area, very hard.”
There’s Still Hope For Bode And Gabriela’s Dashed Romance
Snippets from the Season 3 trailer suggest Bode and Gabriela’s romance will heat up. One scene showed them responding to a helicopter crash in the forest, and another scene hinting at an intimate encounter inside a camper van. It’s possible the latter scene might be happening in either character’s head, but the show has gone through so many turns it could finally reward audiences by bringing Gabi and Bode together. In an interview with Parade, Arcilla teased her pick among Gabi’s romantic interests, confirming the character’s deep love for Bode. “I lead with my heart always, so if I was to pick knowing the dynamics, I love Diego, but my heart is with Bode,” she said.
Arcilla also addressed that tense-filled scene of Gabi saving Bode’s father Vince from cardiac arrest. “I think [Gabi] was in a very vulnerable position because she wants everybody to be okay,” she explained. “She wants Bode to be okay, but she doesn’t want to stress him out either. And she wants to also listen to her boss. She’s a very empathetic and compassionate person.” Reflecting on Vince’s instruction (and threat) to keep the accident a secret, Arcilla asserted: “It is not nice at all! That is like, I’m helping you stay alive, and you’re gonna threaten me? Because you don’t want to be honest? I think it hurt her feelings a lot.” Fans can expect Fire Country Season 3 to flesh out Gabriela’s arc, which could be impacted by a fan-favorite character’s return.
