(Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Land of Fire Season 3, Episode 3 “Welcome to the cult. “)

Bode (Max Thiériot) faces his next obstacle as a cadet in the latest Land of Fire: exercises. And Diane FarrWHO directed the episodeadmits that “it was the scariest day.”

These exercises are also the scene of numerous family dramas, with that of Vince (Billy Burke) father (Jeff Fahey) giving Bode a tip he doesn’t want. And speaking of drama, Bode and Gabriela (Stephanie Arcila) confess the mistake they made during the helicopter rescue that interrupted his wedding, and after that, they take a moment to talk about their relationship. It’s always a bit dangerous with them, she points out, although he insists he can be annoying. He offers to wait for her, but as she says, they continue to play with fire and need to stop before they burn their lives to the ground.

Below, Farr takes us inside by shooting some memorable scenes from the episode and teases what’s in store.

Talk about leading these exercises. They were intense.

Diane Farr: It was the scariest day. Thanks for noticing. Okay, so this was my fire day. Everything happened inside this totally small brick building. You couldn’t even fit all the crew members in there one by one. And we had to light the fire there all day. And what worried me the most was an actress wearing so much gear because it’s literally backbreaking. I did it at his age and I did it at my age and all I kept doing was trying to rethink the photo so I could take that gear away from him over and over again. And the other directors kept telling me: fire is like another day. It’s actually not more difficult than it seems. It’s like an additional element. I didn’t believe them at all, and I still don’t think it’s entirely true because it’s hot and you have to be careful and we’re coming up with a plan and then someone would come in and say, what is not sure, and we would have to cancel it. It was terrifying and I was so afraid of wasting their time when it was heavy and hot, but we managed to get through it on the day we were supposed to. So I think that means check, I’ve done the work.

Sergei Bashlakov / CBS

It looks great on screen.

The shot when Bode is there and the fire is rolling over his head? It was pretty good.

I love the moments we had of Sharon and Vince at Smokey’s: the scene with the hug from behind, and then the one near the end. What was your approach to those quieter moments that really showcase their relationship?

He and I have always had something to do when they get together physically. We’ll block a scene like normal people. And in season 2, I feel like what was happening before, we were finishing blocking and then I was like, oh wait, but they have to do their Vince-Sharon thing, because they’re physically related to each other to others so we are used to blocking the stage for what we say and then determining where we physically meet. So I think originally that scene probably started out as a hug, but I just felt like you could see his expression more if I got behind him and we could really see his face. That was the genesis of it all.

Then comes that last scene with Bode and Gabriela in the car – and an excellent job of direction. What can you say about what’s coming and does their decision make it easier or harder for Sharon? Given Manny (Kevin Alexandro) asked him to separate them…

Manny asked Sharon to break them up, and I don’t know if Sharon agrees with that. I don’t know if people would have liked Vince and I getting together in the beginning. That scene in the car was so exciting for me. It was like seeing Bode in ordinary clothes. He had a second head in front of the window. He won in everything. He is going to become a cadet. He goes to get the girl. He’s just going to have a normal life for a second, and all I can really sit on in the end is the melancholy of two people who love each other and continue to not work. That was my biggest feeling sitting there. And also, if I can honestly say, I wouldn’t go back to 31 if my life depended on it. You’re so dying, am I going to reproduce? Will I get married? Will I do what my parents did? Will I buy a house in the suburbs? Everything is so loaded on top of a relationship. That was the feeling in there. Can we do everything or do we do nothing?

Sergei Bashlakov / CBS

I really appreciate Sharon and Eve (Jules Latimer) scenes we have this season because I love seeing two women at the top of their jobs, both doing well, but also the moments where they can actually talk to each other.

Yes, it’s so much fun. They really found Eve’s flow this season. We meet her whole family and she’s not just a boss. She’s like a whole person in an all-male world. I think actually, you’re right, both characters do the same thing in different places, but then can come together because, hey, this is what it feels like in my man-dominated world, what she and I kind of do in real life. (Laughter)

We talk about how Jared PadaleckiCamden’s character will perhaps bring out Bode’s dangerous side and has some unconventional tactics when it comes to firefighting. What does Sharon think of this?

I think you already know how Sharon feels about this. They won’t be fast friends. Well, we’ll see if they ever get there, but it’s not a home run right off the bat.

We will see Mickey (Morena Baccarin) even before Sheriff’s Country lance and I’m excited about it because Mickey and Sharon’s relationship is better now. So what do you hope to see from the sisters?

I’m happy to see them bicker. My favorite part is that there is no molasses between them. They are not emotionally clingy sisters. They don’t hug or kiss. I love the little arguments between them. Morena is so fun to work with. She’s so smart and prepared and knows exactly what she wants to do and she’s another woman with a very powerful job to boot. I’m excited for the scenes in the car. She’s so funny. It’s non-stop, like someone is pushing you in your game all the time.

And it’s a whole other side of Sharon that we’ve never seen before, and that I like.

Me too, that she has someone with whom she can be a little vulnerable, where she is absolutely not in charge, where she is not loved, where she has made so many mistakes. It’s really a pleasure to play.

What else is happening to Sharon? Will we see you again in the midst of major rescues to come?

In the very next episode, there will be a truly wild and somewhat Stanley Kubrick-style rescue. Our next director has done something really interesting. This will probably be the nicest save of the season.

Is this the elevator rescue you’re talking about?

It is. It’s like in a well. Most of the episode takes place in the well. This looks amazing. Nicole Rubio is the director.

I spoke to Tia Napolitano about redemption for Luke (Michael Trucco) this season. We are starting to see it. What can you say about what’s coming and what Sharon thinks of Luke now because it’s been back and forth?

The back and forth continues. Sometimes I say such sarcastic things to him. I say, guys, remember he gave me the kidney. I feel bad as an actress. Come on. He and I never stop fighting at any given moment. The whole family is there, everyone is in a room and he says something a little obnoxious to me and I repeat it to him like I’m five years old. They are face to face. It’s the most important brother-sister relationship I have on the show and it’s still going strong.

Will you direct again this season?

No, I have a day job. Other people need jobs, so definitely not. I hope I will be asked to come back next year.

Land of FireFriday, 9/8c, CBS