Diane Farr talks about the relationships between Vince and Sharon and Bode and Gabriela

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Fire Country Season 3 Episode 3 “Welcome to the Cult.”]

Bode (Max Thieriot) faces his next hurdle as a cadet at the latest Tierra del Fuego: Drill. And Diane Farr, who directed the episode, admits: “That was the scariest day.”

These exercises are also the setting for some family drama, with Vince's (Billy Burke) father (Jeff Fahey) giving Bode a tip he doesn't want. Speaking of drama, Bode and Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) confess the mistake they made during the helicopter rescue that interrupted their wedding and then take a moment to talk about their relationship. It's always a bit dangerous with them, she points out, although he insists he can be boring. He offers to wait for her, but as she puts it, they keep playing with fire and need to stop before they burn their lives down.

Below, Farr takes us inside, directs some of the episode's memorable scenes, and gives a taste of what to expect.

Talk about leading these exercises. They were intense.

Diane Farr: That was the scariest day. Thank you for noticing. Okay, that was my fire day. It was all in this brick building that was completely small. It was not even possible to accommodate all crew members individually. And we had to light it all day long. And the thing I was most worried about was an actress wearing so much gear because it's literally exhausting. I did it at her age, and I did it at my age, and I kept trying to reframe the shot so I could keep taking that equipment off of her. And the other directors kept saying to me, “Fire is like another day.” It's actually not harder than it seems. It's like another element. I didn't believe them at all and I still don't think it's entirely true because it's hot and you have to be careful and we're planning a recording and then someone comes in and says it's unsafe and we had it done to undo it. It was terrifying and I was so afraid of wasting their time when it was heavy and hot, but we got through it on the day we were supposed to. I think that means: Check, I did the job.

It looks great on screen.

The shot as Bode stands there and the fire rolls over his head? That felt good somehow.

I love the moments we have of Sharon and Vince at Smokey's – the scene with the hug from behind and then the scene towards the end. How did you approach the quieter moments that really highlight their relationship?

He and I always got something out of getting together physically. We block a scene like normal people. And in Season 2, I feel like what happened earlier happened: we stopped blocking and then I said, “Oh, wait, but they have to do their Vince Sharon thing because they're physically tied together, so we.” We have a habit of blocking the scene for what we say and then figuring out where we physically come together. So I think originally that scene probably started out as a hug, but it just felt like if I stood behind him you could see more of his expression and we could really see his face. That was the origin of it.

Then comes the final scene with Bode and Gabriela in the car – and the direction did a great job. What can you say about what lies ahead and does your decision make it easier or more difficult for Sharon? Given that Manny (Kevin Alejandro) asked them to keep them apart…

Manny asked Sharon to keep them apart and I don't know if Sharon agrees with that. I don't know if people would have liked it at the beginning if Vince and I had gotten together. That scene in the car was so exciting for me. It was like seeing Bode in normal clothes. He had part of his head outside the window. He won at everything. He will become a cadet. He's going to get the girl. He'll just live a normal life for a second, and in the end all I can focus on is the melancholy of two people who love each other and are constantly not working. That was my greatest feeling as I sat there. And if I can honestly say: I wouldn't be 31 again if my life depended on it. You're dying so much. Will I reproduce? Will I get married? Will I do what my parents did? Will I get a house in the suburbs? Everything in a relationship is so overloaded. That was the feeling in there. Can we do anything or do we do nothing?

Sergei Bachlakov / CBS

I really enjoy the scenes with Sharon and Eve (Jules Latimer) that we see this season because I love seeing two women at the top of their game, both doing good work, but then there are moments in where they can actually talk to each other.

Yes, it's so much fun. They really found Eve's flow this season. We get to know her whole family and she's not just a boss. She's like a full person in a completely male world. I think you're actually right, the two characters do the same thing in different places but then can come together and, hey, that's how it feels in my male world. dominated world, what she and I do in real life. [Laughs]

There's talk of how Jared Padalecki's character Camden will perhaps bring out Bode's dangerous side and use unconventional tactics when it comes to fighting fires. What does Sharon think about this?

I think you already know how Sharon feels about this. They won't be fast friends. Well, we'll see if they ever get there, but it's not a home run right out of the gate.

We'll see Mickey (Morena Baccarin) again Sheriff country starts and I'm happy about it because the relationship between Mickey and Sharon is better now. What do you hope to see from the sisters there?

I'm happy to see them fight. What I like most is that there is no syrup between them. They are not emotionally affectionate sisters. They are not cuddly and kissy. I love the little sparring between them. It's so much fun working with Morena. She's so smart and prepared and knows exactly what she wants to do, and she's another woman with a very strong job. I'm looking forward to the scenes in the car. She's so funny. It's non-stop, like someone is pushing you in your game all the time.

And it's a whole different side of Sharon that we've never seen before, which I like.

I also want her to have someone with whom she can be a little vulnerable, where she's not in charge at all, where she's not loved, where she's made so many mistakes. It's really fun to play.

What else can Sharon think of? Will we see you in the middle of the major rescue operations to come?

In the very next episode there is a really wild rescue that is somehow reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick. Our next director did something really interesting. It will probably be the best rescue of the season.

Is this the elevator rescue you're talking about?

It is. It's like being in a shaft. The majority of the episode takes place in the shaft. It looks fantastic. Nicole Rubio is the director.

I spoke with Tia Napolitano about redemption for Luke (Michael Trucco) this season. We're starting to see that. What can you say about what's coming up and what does Sharon think about Luke now because it's been back and forth?

The back and forth continues. Sometimes I say things to him that are so sarcastic. I say: Guys, remember, he gave me the kidney. I feel bad as an actress. Light up. He and I never stop arguing. The whole family is there, everyone is in a room and he says something slightly unpleasant to me and I repeat it to him like I'm five years old. They are directly opposite each other. This is the strongest brother-sister relationship I have on the show and it remains strong.

Will you be directing again this season?

No, I have a day job. Other people need jobs, so definitely not. I hope to be asked again next year.

Tierra del FuegoFridays, 9/8c, CBS