“Apologies are dangerous in a game of inches.”
Severide is still being reckless and after six Irish Car Bombs, he is forced to take the train home. He sobers up quickly when the train stops suddenly, and a shooter is on the loose. Being Kelly Severide, he of course goes towards the gunshots, and heroically saves the woman train worker who was shot. For all his heroism, he’s still not the leader he needs to be. I get he’s struggling, and I know we will continue to see this struggle, but for the sake of the house, he’s got to pull it together a bit and learn that he isn’t alone.
Casey tries to reach out to Severide, who of course, brushes him off. Don’t give up, Casey. Severide needs you! And I want to finally see these two bond, dang it!
Gabby reminds Casey that he of all people knows what it’s like to lose someone that close (RIP Hallie), and that seems to be the push that Casey needed to really get to Kelly.
“This house needs you. Whether you like it or not, you need this house.” Wise words, Casey. Wise words.
Losing Shay is no small event. This is a death that will continue to be felt throughout at least this season, if not beyond. What I want is some quality Dawson/Severide time. These two were affected the most, and it’s time they really lean on each other. Speaking of Gabby…
It’s Gabby’s first day as candidate. Casey is handling this well so far, I’m actually really impressed. But, I think this will only last for so long. I mean, come on. It’s only a matter of time before some sort of drama disrupts this set-up they have going. I’ll be honest, I haven’t really ever been excited about Dawson being a firefighter, and I don’t know that this is a long-term thing. Her first rescue call doesn’t go well, but on her first fire call, she totally rocks it.
Herrmann is put in direct charge of Dawson, and it’s clear that he’s not going to be easy on her. I like seeing him in this pseudo-lieutenant role, he’s a great leader. Speaking of Herrmann as a pseudo-lieutenant, he’s still waiting for a lieutenant position to open up. He seems to be passed over time and time again and after the Molly’s food truck is denied (by a man who works for Chief Hale), it’s clear something is up. Herrmann looks to figure out what Chief Hale has against him, and it’s another brilliant move by the writers. Remember back in season 1 when Herrmann had that fantastic idea to create energy water? Well, that idea came back to bite him in this episode. Turns out, a big purchase by the CFD (that of course, didn’t sell) now sits in Chief Hale’s garage. Love it.
Other thoughts on the subplots:
Cruz, Herrmann, and Otis quickly flip a switch and treat Dawson like a candidate. These guys aren’t going easy on her. They attempt to pull all the tricks on her that they would on any other candidate, but because Dawson has been in the house and seen it all, she doesn’t fall for it.
Peter is officially a paramedic! I really like this move, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed his scenes with New Girl Sylvie. I think these two could be great friends. Peter does struggle a bit with the transition, and I don’t think it will be too long before he’s miraculously back on squad. What I would really like to see is Dawson back as a paramedic working with Peter. No, I never liked these two being romantically involved, but they have (had) a great friendship, something I miss seeing.
Turns out New Girl Sylvie isn’t a runaway bride, she was dumped! Her fiancé Harrison shows up, begging for her to come home. She tells him she’s settled in Chicago and likes the life she’s got going, but that all changes when the fire call turns out to be victims of a sweatshop. One of the victims dies, and it’s too much for New Girl Sylvie. I was indifferent before, because she is so obviously the Shay replacement (who is irreplaceable!), but she’s growing on me. I think she fits in well with the team, and I hope she sticks around Chicago a while longer.
And in yet another tear-jerking conclusion (seriously, Chicago Fire, I’m done with the tears)…
The woman Severide saved stops by the firehouse with baked goods as a thank you. She insists on meeting his paramedic friend, who he learned his medical knowledge from, and Kelly holds back tears as he tells her that Shay is dead.
What are your thoughts on the episode? Do you want New Girl Sylvie to stick around?
