Fire Country's Max Thieriot and Stephanie Arcila Discuss Gabriela's Decision in Season 2 Finale

Fire Country EP Answers Burning Questions After That Romantic Cliffhanger

Eike Schroter/CBS

Fire Country fans will need to wait for season 3 to see if Gabriela really married Diego in the season 2 finale. But do Max Thieriot and Stephanie Arcila know what went down?

In the episode that aired on Friday, May 17, Bode (Thieriot) witnessed Gabriela (Arcila) walking down the aisle and leaving the church before she could say "I do" to Diego (Rafael de la Fuente).

Arcila, who is 34 years old, shared her thoughts with We about the outcome of Gabriela's big day.

"I believe that if you are a person of integrity and kindness, the universe will guide you to where you belong, even if you are not following a set path," she shared her theory on the direction of the story. "I am looking forward to see what they come up with for the next season. Right now, I feel like one of the audience members eagerly waiting for the next chapter."

Reflecting on Gabriela’s journey this season, Arcila shared that she wasn’t surprised to see her character walk down the aisle. She mentioned, “I had no idea but I love it because it’s kind of telling to the type of person she is. She doesn’t half-ass anything. She gives it 100 percent and really tries to make things work — whether it’s in her career or personal life.”

Gabriela’s love life has seen its fair share of changes in the past two seasons. In the first season, she developed a connection with Bode while still dating Jake. Eventually, Gabriela ended things with Jake to wait for Bode until his release from the California Conservation Camp Program. Unfortunately, Bode ended their relationship when he was sent back to prison. By the start of the second season, Gabriela was already engaged to Diego.

Arcila was caught off guard when she found out she was engaged in the first episode. She was completely surprised and confused by the sudden news. Balancing her feelings for Diego and Bode has been a challenging journey for her, as she struggles to make decisions with her head and heart. Despite the emotional roller-coaster, she is determined to do what is best for her family.

Do Fire Country s Max Stephanie Think Gabriela Married Diego or Chose Bode

Despite falling in love with Diego, Gabriela still felt a strong bond with Bode. In fact, she even shared a kiss with her ex just days before she was supposed to marry Diego.

Arcila jokingly mentioned that if someone is kissing another person right before getting married, they may not be fully committed. According to her, this is a major red flag.

On the other hand, Thieriot expressed uncertainty about whether Gabriela decided to cancel her wedding. Despite this, he believed that Bode and Gabriela could benefit from taking a break after facing numerous challenges in the first season.

Bode was able to grow throughout season 2 without being driven by his feelings for Gabriela. "Gabriela is kind of like part of Bode's addiction," Thieriot pointed out. So, it was actually healthy for him to not be constantly surrounded by her. This gave him the chance to be less reactive and impulsive, something he realized she tended to bring out in him. Being away from her helped him see that he could control his actions better.

Thieriot shared that he acknowledges there is still work ahead for him. However, he believes that he has reached a point where he can pause, take a breath, and make more thoughtful decisions before acting impulsively. This growth is evident in the finale, where he is able to distance himself from her, despite the pain of seeing her and witnessing her marriage.

In the finale, Bode came close to confessing his feelings to Gabriela just moments before the wedding. A heart-to-heart conversation with her father, Manny, played by Kevin Alejandro, led Bode to change his mind and refrain from disrupting the wedding as originally anticipated.

Do Fire Country s Max Stephanie Think Gabriela Married Diego or Chose Bode

Stephanie Arcila as Gabriela Perez and Rafael De La Fuente as Diego Moreno. Sergei Bachlakov/CBS

"When Manny mentions, 'She’s happy. She’s really happy,' it is all that Bode has ever wanted for her. He believed he could make her happy. However, he acknowledges that Diego is a great guy and he can't take away her happiness," Thieriot explained. "In a different scenario, he might intervene, but hearing about her joy crushes him. Yet, it is also the one thing that allows him to move on for now."

Fire Country surprised viewers by releasing Bode from prison early in the season. Bode is now focused on the next phase of his life, but this doesn't mean that a potential future with Gabriela is out of the question.

"We established something in the pilot episode that will continue to be a key part of the series. It's all about how we develop and explore the relationship over time," the actor explained. "There's still a lot of growth and development ahead for the characters, but we can sense that there's a connection there."

As Bode transitions to focusing on firefighting, Gabriela also has her own challenges and decisions to navigate.

Arcila concluded that it's important for her to take time to process her emotions and have a day off to deal with everything that has happened. She has been bombarded with challenges all at once while making a significant life-changing decision. Getting through to the wedding is her way of seeking a new normal and finding peace within her family amidst the chaos outside.

Fire Country fans can rejoice as the show has been renewed for season 3 on CBS. You can catch all the episodes streaming on Paramount+.

Editor's P/S:

The season 2 finale of "Fire Country" left fans on the edge of their seats, wondering if Gabriela and Diego actually got married. While the actors, Max Thieriot and Stephanie Arcila, remain tight-lipped about the outcome, they offer intriguing insights into their characters' journeys and the potential for a future between Gabriela and Bode. Arcila emphasizes the importance of integrity and kindness, suggesting that Gabriela's decisions will be guided by her values. Thieriot, on the other hand, acknowledges the challenges Bode and Gabriela have faced and believes that a break may be beneficial for their growth.

As the show moves into season 3, fans can expect to see further exploration of the characters' relationships and personal struggles. The writers have hinted at a potential future for Gabriela and Bode, but it remains to be seen how their paths will unfold. With its captivating characters, heart-pounding action, and emotional depth, "Fire Country" promises to continue delivering an unforgettable viewing experience in the upcoming season.