Warning! SPOILERS about Fire Country season 3, episode 20 ahead.

One character’s arrival in Bode and Gabriela’s future inevitably included their getting together romantically, but Bode’s choices in Fire Country season 1’s ending also pushed Gabriela away, starting early on the pattern that characterized their on-again, off-again relationship.

Although Gabriela’s Stephanie Arcila told ScreenRant in an interview about her Fire Country exit how she reacted to the surprising development.

Fire Country Season 3 Set Up A Potential Love Triangle Scenario

Audrey & Bode's New Romance Could Have Easily Set Up A Love Triangle Involving Gabriela

Audrey and Bode’s bond went from rivalry to friendship during the training for former inmate firefighters aiming to Cal Fire. While nothing happened between them when Bode and Gabriela had rekindled their relationship, Gabriela noticed how easily Bode and Audrey were in each other’s company in Fire Country season 3, episode 6, not missing the subtle touches after the good news of the eaglets hatching. Bode attempting to reassure Gabriela that there was nothing to be jealous of, as he and Audrey were just friends, heavily hinted at Fire Country season 3 trying to set the love triangle up.

However, Gabriela telling Bode she couldn’t handle their being in a stable relationship effectively ended whatever they had rekindled, stopping the potential love triangle in its tracks. Audrey and Bode eventually getting together five episodes after Gabriela and Bode’s breakup had very little to do with Gabriela, although Bode’s behavior with Audrey slightly changed right after his and Gabriela’s relationship ended, which also coincided with Audrey’s relationship with Steve ending. What buried any chance of a love triangle had everything to do with how Gabriela and Audrey’s bond developed, with the two firefighters striking a friendship without Bode’s external influence.

It Smartly Made Gabriela & Audrey Friends Instead Of Rivals For Bode's Affections

Audrey & Gabriela Became Fast Friends In Fire Country Season 3

While Audrey had already asked Gabriela for tips on how to deal with Sharon, the duo only became friends after a heated conversation about what to do with a baby abandoned at Station 42 revealed Audrey's sad backstory to Gabriela in Fire Country season 3, episode 10. Gabriela's offer to teach Audrey how to swim subverted any expectation of a love triangle, with the two starting a friendship before Audrey and Bode got officially together. Their friendship, disconnected from whatever they shared with Bode, grew steadily throughout Fire Country season 3, with Audrey ing Gabriela’s choice to let Finn go.

Audrey protected Gabriela when Finn wanted to abduct her, even risking prison in Fire Country season 3’s ending after she shot Finn so that he couldn’t hurt them.

Audrey and Gabriela’s friendship started casually, with Audrey cheering on Gabriela in her search for a hobby that was pure fun, or ing whatever Gabriela wanted to do regarding her relationship with Finn, but Audrey also proved able to be there for Gabriela in her toughest moments. Audrey protected Gabriela when Finn wanted to abduct her, even risking prison in Fire Country season 3’s ending after she shot Finn so that he couldn’t hurt them. How Fire Country established Audrey and Gabriela’s friendship was a surprise also for Gabriela’s Stephanie Arcila, who praised the development in her talk with ScreenRant:

ScreenRant: I love how there was potential for a love triangle, but Fire Country went a different route with it. Were you expecting the friendship between Gabriela and Audrey?

Stephanie Arcila: I wasn't, and I think it was great to see. Gabriela is always with all the men. She's surrounded by her father, her co-workers, and all of her scenes are with the guys. So to have another female there and have that energy there, I think, was needed.

Fire Country Season 3's Decision Proves Procedurals Don't Need To Rely On Outdated Tropes For Great Storytelling

Gabriela & Audrey's Friendship Worked Neatly In Fire Country Season 3

Tropes sometimes become overused because they work, and Audrey and Gabriela becoming entangled in a love triangle with Bode at its center could have made sense, especially in the context of a firehouse and their male-dominated field. Fire Country season 3 hinting at that being a possibility only to go in the opposite direction works so well because it banked on the audience's expectation of a love triangle, subverting it and creating something better. This made a stable relationship between Bode and Audrey and a wholesome friendship between Gabriela and Audrey possible, as Audrey’s actions in season 3’s finale proved.

Fire Country season 3 is available to stream in its entirety on Paramount Plus.

Gabriela’s Fire Country exit will inevitably affect her and Audrey’s friendship, especially in light of Audrey’s problems with the law as a result of her choice to shoot at Finn, even with him surviving. Still, how Audrey and Gabriela’s friendship developed is good for the future, for whenever Gabriela visits Edgewater, something Fire Country’s showrunner already hinted at for the firefighting drama’s future, as it would remind Audrey and Gabriela can be there for one another even after their respective romantic relationships with Bode.

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