Chicago Fire - Ambush Predator - Review

“All souls weigh the same. One life isn’t worth any more than the other.”


The first call of the night is a nasty car wreck that involves everyone’s favorite Chaplain Orlovsky. While he does make it to the hospital alive, things aren’t looking good. The Chaplain is important to Dawson, as he is who she talked to about Shay’s death. It was nice to see Dawson actually feel something for a change – I hope it continues (the feeling, not the Chaplain’s life-threatening situation).

The Chaplain’s status is questionable throughout the show, but he eventually wakes up and, surprise! He’s going to make a full recovery. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely did not want him to die. He’s a great guy! But a little complication and/or unpredictability would be nice for this show.

Elsewhere…

Baby Boden is home and doing great! Grandpa Boden is also in town and while he is adorable with his grandson, he’s also overstepping just a bit. Those faces Donna was making at Boden? Hilarious. When Chief goes to confront his dad about is overstepping, his dad beats him to the punch – he’s got cancer, stage four. I’m guessing we’ll see Gramps around for just a bit, and I can’t help but wonder what his eventual death will do to Boden. I recently said that I just feel like a major shift is coming for this show, and I think it could involve Boden leaving. This is purely a guess! I could be totally and completely wrong.

Much like Dawson and Shay handled the suicide that happened in front of them differently, Sylvie and Mills are handling the kidnapping events of last week differently as well. While Sylvie chooses to handle it responsibly, Mills handles it…physically. When an abused wife initially denies treatment from the two paramedics and then later shows up in the hospital, Mills loses it and beats the husband. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it (because he totally did), but Mills needs to be careful. He’s had a tough season. These two have a great partnership going, I hope this doesn’t drive a wedge between them.

Herrmann is gearing up to coach kids’ hockey, and he’s competitive to say the least. Due to a poor judgment (but hilarious) call two years prior, Herrmann was suspended from the league for two years. But he’s back and ready to be aggressive! With help from Otis and Cruz (because we have to give them some sort of story), Herrmann is back as a coach. Surprisingly, Chaplain Orlovsky has a bit of hockey history and upon waking up, agrees to be the assistant coach. For the first team building session, the kids paint Chaplain Orlovsky’s house – so sweet!

We get a glimpse of Dawson and Sylvie’s apartment with an eager and overbearing Cruz along with it. Also, the best line of the show:

When Sylvie was younger, she had to share a room with her brother. Instead of saying “We’re roommates!” her brother yelled, “We’re mermaids!” Hilarious.

This scene also gave us the worst and most disturbing line of the show:
Referring to Cruz helping the girls move in, Dawson says, “He’s certainly enthusiastic, huh?”
Sylvie’s response? “In ways you can’t even imagine…” EWW. No. Nope. Definitely not. Seriously? Why? There is no chemistry! None!
Make it stop!

This is just a random, ranting side note on Dawson: For someone who spent what, a year and a half pining for a guy, she sure drops feelings fast. Dawson, you love Casey! Act like it!

Severide and Dawson continue to investigate the storage unit fire that mysteriously seems to be tied to Shay’s death. Chicago PD’s Atwater steps in to assist. Don’t get me wrong, I love how seamlessly these two shows work together. But Atwater? Seriously? This is Shay we are talking about! Give me Antonio, please!

For the first time all season, we finally get to see Dawson and Severide have some serious screen time dealing with Shay’s death. Where has this been all season, all series? These two together are fantastic. More please. I think one of the reasons I have been so bored with Dawson and Casey all season is because it’s always Dawson and Casey; it’s wonderful seeing them without each other (not as in, broken up, as in not on screen together constantly).

I have to admit, I got a little choked up when Dawson and Severide returned to the building where Shay died. It brought back everything about last season’s finale and this season’s premiere. As they investigate, it becomes more and more apparent that the fire was arson – making Shay’s death a murder.

I have been disappointed with the lack of attention Shay’s death has gotten this season. Sure, it’s gotten a bit, but not nearly as much as I thought it would. I’m actually glad now that we didn’t see as much, because this sudden resurgence feels more natural and unexpected, much like it would in real life.

What did you think of the episode? How deep will the investigation into Shay’s death go? Now that we are halfway through the season, what do you hope to see that we haven’t seen yet?

Chicago Fire is on hiatus, but will return February 3 for a Shay-centric, two night crossover event with Chicago PD.

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves storytelling, whether it be movies, television, books, or music. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include LOST, Friends, The Office, Scandal, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire. She is excited to be reviewing two of those shows for SpoilerTV, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire.