Spoilers ahead for Fire Country season 3 episode 4
Sharon Leone got a full season with her health intact but that could be out the window in Fire Country season 3 now that a medical crisis is being teased. In episode 4, "Keep Your Cool," Edgewater was suffering through a heat dome that saw more than one person incapacitated by heat exhaustion.
While Sharon wasn't afflicted, she was dealing with cramps in her shoulder. She'd thought it was because of the heat but when she realized she didn't have the other symptoms she looked it up. A quick search showed her that she could be dealing with kidney failure which means her body is rejecting her transplant.
Now, it should be noted that a swift Google does not a diagnosis make and Sharon could be perfectly fine but perhaps there was a reason for her having multiple options when she needed a new kidney. Luke's could be failing, Jake is allergic to anesthesia so he won't be able to help, but Bode is a match, too. Perhaps that plot point will come back into play.
But it's also possible that Sharon just may need to slow down. She's in a high adrenaline job and the set-up for her this season has been pointing toward retirement. In the season 3 premiere, she bought Smokey's after the tavern sustained severe damage due to the helicopter crash and the owner's inability to afford repairs. Vince bought an Airstream for them to travel in. They've both been served with early retirement option letters because of the health issues they've had.
While she and Vince have no intention on retiring at the moment, if Sharon is going to have issues with her kidneys again, a pivot to her managing Smokey's makes sense. It gives her a means of still being a part of the community she loves so much and around everyone since they frequent the tavern. The move would also open Fire Country's world up beyond Station 42 and Three Rock, and perhaps give Sharon the ability to be around more of her peers.
Firefighting is a male dominated field and, while the women of Cal Fire are amazing at their job, Sharon isn't often interacting with women her age. That might change if she's running Smokey's like a well-oiled machine. It's too early to tell where this story might go and that episode ending moment could have been for shock so it might get walked back but, I don't know, y'all, I may be reading the tea leaves correctly. We'll soon see!
Stay tuned to One Chicago for more Fire Country coverage!