Season 3 of Fire Country launched with a bang—literally. A helicopter crash during the wedding of Diego Moreno and Gabriela Perez sent shockwaves through Edgewater, both physically and emotionally. As debris rained down on the town, chaos erupted at Smokey’s Bar and Grill, trapping several characters beneath rubble, including Jake Crawford, Genevieve Maisonette, and the polarizing Rick Stengler. In the aftermath, it became clear: Rick isn’t the villain some believed him to be. In fact, he may be exactly the kind of father figure Genevieve needs. And if that’s true, Jake has to start seeing Rick for who he is now—not who he used to be.
Rick Stengler Steps Up When It Counts
When the helicopter crash left Genevieve pinned under dangerous debris, Rick didn’t hesitate. His quick thinking and steady demeanor made a major difference in keeping Genevieve calm and safe. Despite suffering his own injuries, Rick prioritized Genevieve's well-being—helping her through the trauma, offering first aid for a dislocated shoulder, and deflecting attention from his own pain.
While Jake, an experienced firefighter, understandably panicked in the moment—given the personal stakes—Rick’s level-headedness underscored a crucial point: he’s not the reckless outsider he first appeared to be. Instead, Rick showed integrity, compassion, and courage under pressure. Those actions say more than a checkered past ever could.
The Emotional Weight Jake Carries
Jake’s resistance to Rick isn’t unfounded. He’s still grieving Cara, the love of his life and Genevieve’s mother. Her sudden death in Season 2 shattered his world, especially since he was planning to propose. Since then, Jake has stepped up for Genevieve in every way, treating her like his own daughter and protecting her with fierce devotion.
But grief can cloud judgment. Jake’s fear of losing Genevieve, who is his last remaining link to Cara, makes him overly wary of anyone who threatens that bond—even someone trying to do the right thing. And while Jake's protectiveness is understandable, it’s beginning to blur the line between caution and control.
Rick Deserves the Same Grace Jake Gave Bode
If there’s one thing Fire Country has consistently highlighted, it’s that people can change. Jake himself offered forgiveness and trust to Bode Leone after past mistakes—so why not extend the same courtesy to Rick?
The series originally painted Rick as a sketchy figure from Cara and Bode’s past. But Season 3 is reframing him as a man trying to turn his life around. He owns a legitimate construction business, is raising his children responsibly, and is making genuine efforts to reconnect with Genevieve. Even Jake admits during a candid moment that Cara never judged Rick. If she could see past his faults, maybe Jake can too.
Their shared love for Cara could be the bridge to a healthier, more cooperative relationship—one that ultimately benefits Genevieve the most.
The Paternity Question Needs Resolution
The question of Genevieve’s biological father has loomed over the series, and it's time for Fire Country to provide clarity. With Bode already ruled out, Rick remains the most likely candidate. If Rick is her father, the implications are huge—not only emotionally, but legally.
Jake, though a devoted guardian, doesn’t have legal custody, as he and Cara were never married. That opens the door to a potential family court battle, which could become a compelling subplot this season. For Jake, resolving Genevieve’s paternity could either solidify his place in her life or force him to accept a new reality.
Either way, Jake needs closure. Clinging to uncertainty and suspicion helps no one—especially not Genevieve.
Is Rick Too Good to Be True?
Of course, in true Fire Country fashion, there's always room for a twist. Could Rick’s recent heroics be part of a long con? Is he genuinely reformed—or is he playing a deeper game? While that’s always a possibility, it feels increasingly unlikely given his recent actions.
If the writers were setting up Rick as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the premiere would’ve planted more seeds of doubt. Instead, the show seems committed to exploring the idea of redemption and the complicated ways people rebuild after loss and failure. And that makes Rick’s arc far more interesting than a simple villain reveal.
Time for Jake to Open the Door
At this point, Jake has to ask himself what’s more important: punishing Rick for the past or doing what’s best for Genevieve in the present. No one’s asking him to forget the pain or drop his guard overnight. But forgiveness isn’t about erasing what’s happened—it’s about making space for what’s possible.
Rick has already shown he’s willing to step up. Now it’s Jake’s turn to do the harder thing: let go of the past and give Rick the chance to prove he’s changed.
After all, redemption is what Fire Country is all about.
New episodes of Fire Country air Fridays on CBS and stream the next day on Paramount+.
