Chicago Fire - All Hard Parts - Review

Well, it’s about time! This week closes the dramatic saga that is Chili. Finally. Here’s how it all went down…

Chili’s “breakthrough” lasts about as long as a tic-tac. In the opening scene, she receives JellyBean’s personal items which motivates her to continue drinking. As the hour goes on, it’s clear she’s tense. She continually gets frustrated on calls and continues to drink on the job.

Surprisingly, Sylvie wasn’t featured much in the wrap-up of the Chili storyline this week. Aside from their first call of the night in which a shotgun victim’s brother had to pack the wound (this was tough to watch), she was mostly a background supporter of Chili’s.

Even more surprisingly, it’s Severide who reaches out to help Chili. I don’t think these two have even had a one-on-one scene together, so I initially thought this pairing was a bit of a stretch. But then I remembered Severide’s struggle with painkillers a few seasons back, and the whole thing made more sense. “If you’ve got something going on, there’s no shame in admitting it. That’s what I did. I was in some trouble, I asked a friend for help, and I got it.” Shay. He asked Shay! Goodness I miss her. I feel like all of Severide’s substantial storylines went with her. Anyway, Chili denies having any problems or issues going on and tells Severide, “I’ve been taking care of my self for a really long time and you don’t need to do it for me.”

Finally! After half a season of shallow storylines, Severide gets a decent episode. Helping Chili was the most substantial storyline he’s had all season, and it let us see a glimpse of the wonderful heart he has. I also loved that scene between him and Dawson. They have excellent chemistry and I’m surprised the writers don’t utilize that more.

“How long you been drinking on the job?” Severide asks Chili. He gives her an ultimatum, tell Boden herself, the way she wants, or he’ll tell him.

In Boden’s initial meeting with Chili at the top of the hour, she comes off a bit more level-headed in their meeting than she really is. Boden’s not fooled, and reminds her she still has two strikes. Good man, Boden. You stand your ground. But when she tells Boden about her drinking near the end of the hour, he has no choice. “I want you to know you will always have support here at 51. Just not as a paramedic.”

The family that is 51 gathers around her at her locker, but she leaves in a huff, blowing off everyone trying to talk to her. After she leaves, Herrmann takes a picture Chili left in her locker of Truck 81 and the paramedics, frames it, and leaves it on Chili’s door. At the end of the hour, Chili calls Severide and he drives her to a rehab facility.

Everyone, breathe a sigh of relief with me. After fifteen episodes, the Chili story has come to a close. I have mixed feelings, surprisingly. While I couldn’t stand the Chili of this season, I also hate that the writers took the character there. When she was introduced last season, I thought she would be a great addition. But now, not even a year later, I’m not sad to see her go. So now the big question is, who will take her place?

Elsewhere…

Battle of the Badges is happening! And surprisingly, (except not really), no one is betting on Jimmy. Meanwhile, Connie, ever the scene stealer, asks to be the ring girl. Of course, she rocks it. Dawson wants Jimmy to win, badly. She even tells Jimmy the name of Antonio’s high school girlfriend he can drop to throw Antonio off his game. But guys, Antonio is an Olympic boxer. The “C-F-D!” chant doesn’t last long, as Jimmy ends up on the ground in no time. Battle of the Badges goes to the CPD. Shocker.

Tamara Jones, an junior high teacher, drops by the firehouse and asks Casey to run for Alderman against Becks. He turns her down, and Dawson’s response, “There goes my shot at first lady,” was fantastic. Dawson isn’t the only one who wants Casey to run. Cruz makes a poster while the rest of house tries to talk him into running. Tamara doesn’t give up either.

We haven’t had a lot of the Casey/Dawson relationship lately, probably because the drama surrounding it is gone. But this episode took some time to let us know that things are better than great between these two. The Valentine’s Day presents were perfect; it showed us not only that things are going splendidly between these two, but also that Dawson inspires Casey to run. “You’re that guy, Matt. You fight for people.”

So now things get interesting. The guys tell Casey he can keep his job as a firefighter and be an Alderman, but I doubt that will be easy. Perhaps he’ll give up his Lieutenantship? I just keep wondering when we’ll see Herrmann as a lieutenant. He passed the test! This seems like it could be that opportunity.


What did you think of the episode? Are you glad Chili is gone? How will Casey’s run for Alderman affect his job as a firefighter?

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves television and some might say watches too much of it. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include Galavant, The Blacklist, The Office, Veronica Mars, The 100, and Gilmore Girls. She reviews Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med for SpoilerTV.