‘La Brea’ Recap: ‘Fire Storm’

1/31/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LA BREA -- "Fire Storm" Episode 304 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zyra Gorecki as Izzy, Eoin Macken as Gavin -- (Photo by: Mark Taylor/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘La Brea’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It really is quite amazing, how much the hit NBC series, La Brea, is accomplishing from a storytelling standpoint in its final season. For a six-episode farewell tour should feel rushed, should feel incomplete, but that is simply not happening here. For David Appelbaum’s writing staff have figured out how to offer up balance in these final six episodes. The kind that features character development and closure and growth, for the people we’ve come to know and love, all while moving the plot forward in the most epic manner possible and well, for proof at how sublime of a job is taking place… look no further than this week’s new episode.

For ‘Fire Storm’ put so many characters to the test this week from a growth perspective. Courtesy of… a grandiose fire on its way to wipe out the Fort. Which prompted everyone to abandon the town and try and find shelter and well, whilst on the road… a chance for growth for Sam, Veronica, and Lucas took place. For Veronica came to realize that rebuilding the Fort and starting over would be too much to bear for the weary people living in this era, and she came up with an amazing idea to save the Fort. Wherein a nearby dam could be unleashed so the fire could be quelled and well, the plan worked, and kept everyone’s home intact and in the process, so much growth happened.

Simply because we watched Veronica go from her shaky origins in this tale to leading this community and being brave and coming into her own and that was just powerful to watch. As was seeing Lucas cherish life by saving a tiny Wolf puppy from the fire, since he too has changed and grown and oddly, his desire to do that… brought about growth from Sam. Who revealed a fire in his past, hung heavy over his soul since he failed to save the family dog and disappointed Riley in the process, and well, seeing that puppy in trouble at a critical time here, prompted him to step up to keep it safe. So, he could put the past to bed and find strength in doing so, and he succeeded in making all that happen.

But while it was so joyous to see so many people step into their future and close out old chapters to start new ones, we made mention of some juicy plot progress, and that took place with the time travel storyline. For Gavin came to realize in conversing with his mystery friend online that the microchip he stole was the key to getting his family back together. Which meant, the chip was likely in the past and the only way to get it back to him… was to send a message into the future to Scott, and hope that somehow, he could figure out how to send the chip back to 10,000 B.C. and well, this was a plan that took us to some surprising places in this story.

LA BREA -- "Fire Storm" Episode 304 -- Pictured: (l-r) Lily Santiago as Veronica, Josh McKenzie as Lucas -- (Photo by: Mark Taylor/NBC)

Mainly because, the plan worked, in one wild manner. For while 2021 Scott got hold of the message and was able to contact 2021 Gavin’s phone, he never interacted with Gavin on the matter. Because Gavin was kidnapped by the mysterious woman we briefly met at the end of last week’s episode. Not for nefarious reasons though. For she turned out to be… Gavin’s half-sister, Helena, and she had all kinds of answers for us regarding the time-travel program that has hung heavy over this season. Such as the fact that their father invented the program, and that the portals popping up this season have specific destination years, 2021, 1965 or 10,000 B.C. and she also informed him… that they worked together to steal the chip.

Because she wanted to end this once and for all, for she had seen what this program had done to her family, and we learned of its potential harm. Since Maya, in the past informed everyone, that the chip was designed to create squadrons of planes with a weaponized version of time-travel, and so… Helena wanted Gavin’s help in stopping all of this. Which he of course agreed to. But before he could cross the threshold, Sam and Ty found him. Shortly after providing us with another tender moment reflecting upon growth and the journey of life with Scott. All because they used some police connections that Sam had, to find Helena’s car and well… this reunion put 2021 Gavin at a tough crossroads.

For he had to choose. Either follow the instructions of a stranger, to save his family in the past. Or… follow the instructions of a stranger turned family member and go on a wild quest, and he chose the former. Which allowed for Ty to return to 10,000 B.C. with what Gavin so desperately needed and well, hopefully this pays off in a positive manner, since real trouble is brewing in the past. Because we also came to learn that Maya, may not be the wounded hero she has claimed to be. For she brought harm to Scott in some manner when he came to realize she’s a big cog in the wheel of this plan, and now our heroes will have to contend with her machinations whilst fighting to save their families and figuring out a way home.

All of which made, for one robust episode. In fact, every moment we’ve discussed today took place over the course of a single hour. Which is amazing. Because normally this much stuff would be packed into say two or more episodes. But again, this writer’s room is top notch, and they figured out how to fit all of those plotlines into a single hour, and make every single one compelling, complete and engaging. But most important of all, the stage is quickly being for the series finale. For now, we have a heavy in Maya, and now we have the highest of stakes for our heroes to face, and we likely have… more growth on the way and more big moments, and that is going to make the wait for next Tuesday’s episode, as painful as it gets. Because we simply need more of this flawless final season, and all the storytelling wonder it has to offer. Until next time.

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