In television, as in life, assumptions can be dangerous. “Fire Country,” never one to shy away from a good blaze, throws lighter fluid on the familiar “routine call gone wrong” trope, turning a false alarm into a full-blown hostage situation in its upcoming episode, “False Alarm.” This is either remarkably bad luck for the crew of Station 42, or a clever setup by writer Jacqueline Furnare Donabedian.
While we’re used to seeing the Fire Country team tackle infernos and the occasional daring rescue, this hostage crisis presents a whole different kind of challenge. This shift into a more dramatic, thriller-esque narrative could offer a welcome shake-up to the show’s usual rhythm. Or it could go down in flames.
Adding fuel to the dramatic fire, Jared Padalecki continues his guest starring role as SoCal Firefighter Camden, a character clearly intended to be more than just a passing ember. His continued presence suggests a growing rivalry, or perhaps a grudging respect for Bode’s firefighting skills. Let’s hope for the latter, because I’ve seen enough forced rivalry plots to last a lifetime of television burnouts.
Ultimately, “False Alarm” aims to offer a mix of high-octane action and character-driven drama. Whether it achieves that balance, or just creates more smoke than light, remains to be seen. But the setup certainly has me curious enough to tune in, if only to see if this week’s crisis is extinguished with more finesse than a panicked firehose blast.
“False Alarm” airs Friday, December 6, from 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT on CBS and is directed by Sarah Wayne Callie.
