Warning! SPOILERS about Fire Country season 3, episode 14 ahead.

The unexpected death in Birch’s death in Fire Country season 3, episode 13 thus risks shifting Three Rock’s careful balance.

The contraband alcohol problem could have already threatened Three Rock if it got out, as the drug scandal in Fire Country season 1 proved by changing Three Rock’s management even if Bode had never relapsed. Fire Country season 2 still bore the consequences of Sleeper’s plot against Bode, as Manny had been demoted to firefighter and Three Rock almost closed down, not doing so only thanks to Station 42’s efforts. The worrisome details regarding the investigation into Birch’s death and how it was stonewalled in Fire Country season 3 nonetheless allude to major impending threats against everyone at Three Rock.

Three Rock Continues To Be Impacted By The Illness That Killed Birch

What Happened With Birch's Sister Is Incredibly Odd

Birch’s illness hit him suddenly, having him develop strange symptoms that eventually killed him. As Eve championed the investigation into what caused his death, convincing his sister to consider asking for an autopsy on Birch, everything that happened after his death was suspicious at best and with a clear intention to muddy the results of the investigation if the worst was to be believed.

Between the inmates’ harrowing experience of seeing Station 42’s firefighters trying to resuscitate Birch in front of them and losing their friend unexpectedly to an unexplained illness that looked like a cold, Eve and Manny had their hands full at Three Rock. What was even more worrying was the rush put on the cremation of Birch’s body, which opposed the talk Eve and Manny had with Birch’s sister and had Eve and Manny immediately feel paranoid about someone trying to cover up the truth about Birch’s death.

Birch's Death & Manny's Illness Hint At A Major Three Rock Conspiracy In Fire Country Season 3

It's Unclear Who Is Trying To Get Manny & The Other Three Rock Inmates

Fire Country never explained why there was a push for the closure of all fire camps in general, and Three Rock particularly, in season 2. With the past threats against Three Rock going unexplained and the unlikely push not to have Birch’s death investigated, Eve’s fear that someone might have wanted to cover the truth up could be justified. Indeed, the reaction of Birch’s sister was also worrisome, as she seemed amenable at first and completely closed-off once Eve called her at Fire Country season 3, episode 14’s ending.

Manny took Birch under his wing in Fire Country season 3, episode 10, helping him swear off alcohol after Birch’s initial refusal to own up to his mistake almost cost everyone at Three Rock their privileges.

Manny’s return to his leadership role in Fire Country season 3 meant he spent a lot of time with Birch, helping him get sober after his imioned speech about owning up to his mistakes. With Manny effectively acting as the glue between all inmates and Eve, and his symptoms appearing very similar to Birch’s before he died, Three Rock is effectively under attack from several fronts. Manny being a key Fire Country character also ups the stakes of the fight to protect Three Rock, as everyone in the firefighting drama is close to him, making his potential death massively impactful.

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Fire Country season 3 airs new episodes every Friday at 9pm on CBS.