It's a challenge not to draw comparisons between Sheriff Country and Boston Blue, two shows that, on the surface, seem vastly different. But delve deeper, and the similarities become undeniable. Both debuted simultaneously on CBS and Paramount+, both are spin-offs from beloved parent shows, both revolve around law enforcement, and both are grounded in the themes of family.
At least in the second episode, Sheriff Country emerges as the more engaging of the two, partly because it boldly embraces the complexities and challenges that its characters face, in stark contrast to the perceived complacency of Boston Blue. "Firewall" is a marked improvement over the season premiere, as it deepens the fractious dynamics rather than shying away from them.
As the episode progresses, it becomes increasingly likely that Skye is responsible for Brandon's death or at the very least knows more about it than she's letting on. This leads to significant knock-on effects, including Mickey's clash with Boone, Brandon's family, and, on some level, her own understanding of justice and right versus wrong. As someone who has made a career out of upholding the law, how can she reconcile her urge to do the right thing with her motherly instincts to protect her daughter?
Skye's story starts off reasonably enough. She finds Brandon's body, pulls a knife from his back (for some reason), drops it, and flees. She claims to know he's dead because she has a unique ability to identify when things are deceased, based on a past experience with the family dog. While this is a bit of a stretch, Travis confirms it since he's acting as her lawyer, which doesn't seem to constitute a conflict of interest despite Mickey not being allowed in the interview room.
Boone believes her without hesitation. Why wouldn't he? Evidence of her deception doesn't emerge until later. And yet, given the teases in the premiere, we suspect Boone isn't playing by the book almost immediately. This is a nice twist as it suggests he's simply following the investigation wherever it leads, even after discovering that the murder weapon is missing and Skye had stolen drugs from Brandon. She had motive—she was a known drug addict. Brandon was stabbed by someone he felt comfortable enough to turn his back on. Things aren't looking good.
In Sheriff Country Episode 2, Mickey is distracted by a kidnapping case involving some out-of-town students who spent their summer trimming buds on a weed farm but were later kept prisoner by sinister newcomers. I like this case because it allows us to explore Deadwater, a more rural and lawless part of town where the cops aren't welcome. It also gives Wes something to do. His arc is interesting as he's an ostensibly reformed criminal now living in town instead of up in the middle of nowhere. His instincts chafe against his responsibilities to Mickey and Skye, but his inclination to flee the country with Skye keeps reminding us that he's prone to doing something illicit at a moment's notice. And I have no doubt he will.
This particular episode is infused with the intricate storyline of Cassidy, whose heart is not fully in it due to her concerns about the impact her investigation into Brandon's murder and the accumulation of evidence against Skye is having on her newly budding relationship with Travis, who already holds an awkward position due to his past with Mickey. The show's atmosphere of a tight-knit small town is palpable, though it doesn't mirror the same version seen in Fire Country, it still exudes a unique vibe that intertwines these overlapping subplots into a larger narrative.
At the conclusion of "Firewall," Skye finds herself more entrapped in Brandon's murder than ever, now at risk from his family's vengeance. Boone persists in investigating a case that could potentially implicate his boss's daughter, and the question of trust remains unanswered. Meanwhile, Mickey is faced with a choice: to believe in the system and Boone, or to take matters into her own hands, influenced by her father's presence. All these elements are fitting together seamlessly to form a compelling story, and I am eagerly anticipating where it might lead. You see how much conflict propels a show forward, don't you?
