In the ever-evolving world of “Fire Country,” Gabriela Perez, portrayed by Stephanie Arcila, bids farewell to the series in a poignant yet understated manner. Her journey has been tumultuous, marred by a challenging arc in Season 3. However, her departure in the Season 4 premiere, titled “Goodbye For Now,” takes on a bittersweet tone. After helping Bode Leone, played by Max Thieriot, cope with the passing of his father, Vince (Billy Burke), Gabriela makes the difficult decision to leave town. She informs Bode of her plans to pursue a new path as a recruiter for the fire department, a decision that proves to be one loss too many for him. Their parting words, a simple “goodbye for now,” echo in the air as Bode turns to a concerning habit, retrieving a mysterious bag of blue pills from his locker.

Though Gabriela’s physical presence in the series has come to a close, her impact on Bode lingers. Showrunner and executive producer Tia Napolitano conveyed to Deadline that the episode serves as a heartfelt tribute to the bond between Gabriela and Bode. “It really was a love letter to Gabriela and to Bode,” Napolitano explained. The episode title, “Goodbye For Now,” hints at a temporary farewell rather than a permanent exit, suggesting that Gabriela may continue to reside in Bode’s heart for some time.” Despite the mixed reactions from fans regarding Gabriela’s character, Bode’s feelings for her remain clear. Viewers can look forward to witnessing more of their relationship dynamics, even as Audrey (Leven Rambin) steps in to offer Bode solace during Gabriela’s absence.

Gabriela and Bode’s relationship has thrived on the tension of forbidden love, yet Napolitano emphasizes the importance of showcasing their tender, everyday interactions. “He was incarcerated, there’s a lot of angst and longing, and it’s beautiful,” she told Deadline. “But we wanted to see them literally hang out in their pajamas together, like we saw, we wanted to give them some domestic bliss where they just get to be. And yes, Vince died, but she’s feeding him, and they’re falling asleep on the couch.” This glimpse into their shared moments of intimacy underscores the depth of their connection, even as they prepare to part ways.

Though Gabriela and Bode’s romance has always run on the power of forbidden desire, Tia Napolitano says that it’s important to see them in cozy domestic moments like the ones that show up in “Goodbye For Now.”

“He was incarcerated, there’s a lot of angst and longing, and it’s beautiful,” she explained to Deadline. “But we wanted to see them literally hang out in their pajamas together, like we saw, we wanted to give them some domestic bliss where they just get to be. And yes, Vince died, but she’s feeding him, and they’re falling asleep on the couch.” 

For viewers who are revving their engines over the notion of this star-crossed twosome finally getting back together, Napolitano reports that there are no future plans for Stephanie Arcila’s return. Calm will have to be the watchword of fans who adore Gabi and Bode’s relationship — at least until the next time they meet.