When there’s a new show in a universe, there’s a risk of using cameos to help boost the ratings, and Sheriff Country could have indeed fallen into that trap.
In fact, the first episode featured a cameo from Max Thieriot as Bode, and then the second episode saw Diane Farr appear as Sharon. Soon after, we got another cameo: Manny offering Cassidy some advice after a fire in the office.
Since then, the show has stood on its own two feet, but there’s another Fire Country cameo arriving, and quite frankly, we don’t need it.
Sheriff Country Has Characters to Grow
As Sheriff Country is a new series, it needs time to grow its own characters.
We’ve come to know Mickey well in both Fire Country and her own series, and that’s led us to learn a lot about Wes, Skye, and even Travis.
Then in the workplace, we’ve come to know Boone well, especially now that he’s definitely sticking around in Edgewater.
But there are still two characters who Sheriff Country underserves: Cassidy and Gina.
I’ll give the series its due with Cassidy, as we are slowly learning more about her through specific storylines, including, most recently, that she had a sister and something happened to her.
The series has more planned for the development of the station’s second deputy.
But then there’s Gina, who pops up now and then with some words of wisdom, quick quips, and fun reminders. While it’s great to see her, we’ve only come to know her on a surface level, and it’s time for more.
And even while we’ve come to know Skye a little, it’s still not enough, as she figures out what she wants to do with her life.
There’s a clear career opportunity open to her, but we need time with her and other characters on Sheriff Country Season 1 to figure that out.
With cameos from Fire Country, that’s much harder to do, as the cameos end up taking time away from other characters and storylines.
Fire Country Cameos Are Unnecessary
I get that there are people who love to see cameos here and there, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that sometimes they work.
Look, when it comes to Chicago Fire getting Chicago PD cameos, I loved it. One Chicago used them to connect to the bigger story, and it just made sense that they would all end up working together.
With the Fire Country cameos, things are different. The one who has made the most sense in the workplace has been Manny, because there was a fire at the station.
Of course, with a fire, it would call in the fire department, and that would likely mean someone from Cal Fire showing up since the town is so small.
However, if the show includes too many cameos, it risks relying on them to keep things interesting.
Cameos Need to Make Sense
So far, Sheriff Country has done a good job of only doing cameos when they’re necessary, such as when Manny was part of the firefighters on scene — fires are going to happen!
Even Bode and Sharon showing up in the first two episodes made sense, as they were there for particular storylines.
Bode was there to help get rid of some drugs for Skye so that she wasn’t tempted to use. Having a cousin who has been where she is can help with recovery, as she has someone she knows and trusts to help guide her.
Sharon turned up to help her niece when she was first dealing with Brandon’s murder.
At this point, Skye hadn’t been outwardly accused of murder. Sharon was simply there to offer a shoulder to lean on and advice from someone who was currently in that same situation.
Now, I’m jumping the gun ahead of Sheriff Country Season 1 Episode 8, saying that the cameo is unnecessary, but I can’t see how it could offer something that the characters of the series can’t handle by themselves.
The synopsis hints that it brings tension for Mickey, but there are plenty of other characters who could do that in Edgewater!
There Are Other Methods to Help the Plot
Even if it’s to support Wes, again, there are plenty of other Sheriff Country characters who can do that.
It could be a great way to learn a little more about Gina and her past relationship with Wes, which has only been hinted at.
Some of the strongest episodes of Sheriff Country Season 1 so far haven’t had any Fire Country cameos at all, and that’s the way it should stay for the most part.
This show works on its own, and it needs to continue to stand on its own two feet.
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