One of my favorite things about Chicago Fire is how the writers weave storylines together. This week, we dealt with Chili’s drama that has been ongoing all season, Herrmann’s stabbing from the mid-season finale, and the tornado disaster from last week.
Back at the shelter, Alderman Becks meets Casey, who is putting together a fundraiser for the families affected by the tornado. The shelter is likely closing, so Becks would love to have Casey, a first responder, at the fundraiser to help. Becks calls Casey to an impromptu speech, but he nails it, of course. It was refreshing to see Casey back in a spotlight (there were a few this week). After all the drama with the club and Dawson, we haven’t seen Casey as the incredible leader he is in a while.
Meanwhile, Herrmann begins by testifying against Freddie for the stabbing incident. What I love most about Herrmann is that he wasn’t thinking of himself, even in that terrible moment when he thought he’d die. “The last thing I remember thinking about was Cindy. Telling the kids how their father bled to death on the floor of that bar.”
Later, Herrmann receives a call from Freddie’s father, an inmate at Pinckneyville State Prison. Herrmann goes to meet with him, and I was surprised to hear Freddie’s father claim full responsibility for the stabbing.
“I’m not asking anything for me, alright? But if you could just consider, please, forgiving him. My boy said he ain’t afraid to do the time. But what he can’t live with is the feeling that he betrayed somebody who tried to help him.”Later, the team responds to a call for a boy who locked himself in his room, likely to commit suicide. Casey breaks down the door to find Michael, the boy, handing from the ceiling fan. They cut him down, and Herrmann works feverishly with Sylvie and Chili to revive him. No doubt Herrmann’s recent conversation with Freddie’s father and Herrmann’s own children affected him on the call.
In the end, Herrmann decides to forgive Freddie and tells the judge:
“The day he stabbed me, he took something from me I thought I’d never get back; faith. And for that I wanted him to pay. But on the job, you see things that make you realize what’s important in the world. And Freddie, he never had a role model growing up. His father was in and out of jail. And me, I was trying to fill that gap. I still am. Because I gotta believe that it’s the right thing to do, no matter what. So, if you could find it in your heart, your honor, please have mercy on him.”
Because of Herrmann’s grace and forgiveness, Freddie’s sentence is reduced to a misdemeanor, and he’ll spend only eighteen months in prison. I want to believe Freddie is a good kid who made a bad decision. Or at least, he wants to be good. “I don’t know why you did this, I ain’t worth nothing,” he says through tears. I should stop being surprised that this show makes me cry, because it happens ALL. THE. TIME. And worst of all, when I least expect it. This was definitely the scene of the night. Elsewhere…
To no one’s surprise, Severide and Alex (the homeland security agent from last week) have already hooked up. I’ve said more than enough times how frustrating it is to Severide go through woman after woman with no real depth, so no need to rehash that here. (Except I did catch Severide’s feelings toward monogamy, thank you Mouch, so perhaps the revolving door of women won’t end anytime soon.)Instead, I want to talk about how shady Alex is. I’m not crazy for thinking this, right? To briefly recap, she had Severide help her investigate a house damaged by the tornado last week. They find bomb-like things there and she’s leading the investigation…or is she? Has anyone seen a badge? Is she for real? I mean good Lord in one hour the woman said things like:
“You weren’t here.”Alex later drops by the house to have Severide sign an affidavit about their time at the house, though her version of the story is a bit off the truth. But, the investigation is moving forward. We probably (and unfortunately) haven’t seen the last of her or whatever storyline this is setting up.
“There’s not much I can really say.”
“This is completely off the record. If you repeat it, I will deny that I said it.”
The writers are apparently still trying to make Otis and Sylvie happen. When Sylvie sees a mustache-less Otis, she tells him she liked the mustache and the look he gives Dawson is hilarious! Other than that, I’m done with this storyline.
Last week, Chicago PD’s Antonio told Gabby that Chilli’s sister was found dead, explaining her erratic behavior. Boden meets with Chili, and what I thought was his resolve to fire Chili has changed. Unfortunately. She still isn’t willing to admit she’s been wrong, and that’s a big problem. Thankfully, Boden agrees and tells her she’s at strike two—one more, and she’s out of 51 and Chicago. Chili knows Sylvie talked to Boden, and she’s a bit angry. After an explosive conversation, Sylvie tells Dawson she’s got a bad feeling about Chili, and I couldn’t agree more. Sylvie and Chili somewhat resolve their issues when they respond to a call for two drug users. The man attacks Sylvie, and Chili whips out a stick and beats him!
I feel bad for Chili, especially after hearing her sister’s story. But that doesn’t excuse her behavior and judging by her lapse back into bad habits at the end, I don’t know if change is on the horizon for her.
What did you think of the episode? Will Chili turn her life around? Will Casey find the missing fundraiser money? Have we seen the last of Freddie? Share your thoughts below!
