Manny Perez

Manuel "Manny" Remy Perez^[1] is the fire captain in charge of the prison inmates who enrolled in the Cal Fire program. He possesses the hard-earned wisdom of a man whose life was spiraling out of control before he turned it around and hopes that he can do the same for Bode while also managing his daughter Gabriela, who is as skilled as she is determined to build a life for herself in Edgewater.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Unlike many of his colleagues and peers, Manny did not grow up in Edgewater, and he had a troubled upbringing. During his youth, he would steal cars, which he was somewhat successful in until he wrapped one of them around a tree while on a bender. For this, he was imprisoned, during which point he turned his life around by joining the Cal Fire program, where he was stationed at Three Rock Con Camp. There, he met Sharon, who years later, after having a daughter and getting divorced, gave him a job as fire captain over the current inmates of Three Rock Con Camp.^[2]

Meeting the new inmates[]

SE1-E01-Promo-Pilot-13-Manny-Bode — Manny learns about Bode's past

Manny lays down the ground rules for the new bus load of inmates and takes them up the mountains for their first assignment. The following day, after getting word from Gabriela that she came across two prisoners matching their description, Manny and Cory confront Bode and Freddy for sneaking a phone into camp, which Bode took responsibility for before revealing that he can't succeed in Edgewater because it's his hometown. Many and his crew are then called in for a fire that started on Buckeye Road. He leads them deep into the forest to cut lines and prevent the fire from reaching town. However, when they are relocated, Bode disobeys Manny's command and goes searching for Jake and Eve, who got trapped in the fire. Down one, Manny leads the rest of the crew into town to cut lines, and after stopping the fire from spreading, Manny learns that Gabriela intends to give up her career as a diver and make a life for herself in Edgewater.^[3]

After learning that Bode is Vince and Sharon's son, Manny informs them that Bode's fate is ultimately in his hands. He intends to collect the incident reports from the Buckeye fire and make his decision. That same day, the crew is called in to protect the rec center from the dry lightning storm. Just as it seems they're in the clear, lightning strikes a tree, causing several small fires. Until backup arrives, they are to shelter the civilians and maintain the fires. As Manny guides the kids and counselors into the rec center, he spots Gabriela, who reveals that she got a job as a diving instructor, which upsets Manny, but he's more concerned with getting her inside. The crew is forced to reevaluate their evacuation plan when the awning catches fire. So instead of waiting for transport, Manny boards the prison bus with the civilians and sends them to safety.

SE1-E02-Promo-The-Fresh-Prince-of-Edgewater-05-Manny — Manny at the fire

Manny and Bode cut down the awning to prevent the fire from jumping to the roof of the rec center. It is then that Gabriela arrives with a water hose, revealing to Manny that she didn't get on the bus with the other civilians, much to his frustration. Before long, Vince arrives with the engine and instructs Manny's crew to fall back. Once the fire is doused, Manny and Vince have a brief conversation about Bode and his dependability. That night, Manny is approached by Sharon, who reveals that she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and that all she wants is to be with her son in her final days. And so, despite Bode's being adamant about his desire to leave, Manny informs him that he will remain at Three Rock Con Camp and advises him to use this opportunity to prove his father wrong.^[2]

Appearances[]

Season 3[]

Trivia[]

Manny's surname was previously Robles, as indicated in Kevin Alejandro's casting announcement. However, his name was changed at some point during production.^[4]