Chicago Fire Season 4 Episode 14 Review: “All Hard Parts”

For the past few months the tension has been building in the firehouse, and tonight, Chicago Fire said goodbye to another one of its own.

Let’s start with some hopeful news. A citizen asks Casey to run for alderman against Becks. Casey is furious that the city alderman has been pocketing funds for himself, but he doesn’t think of himself as a politician. Casey is genuinely surprised, but the rest of the house immediately jumps on board the idea. The woman who approached Casey is also persistent in trying to convince Casey he can make a difference. Casey still thinks it’s a pipe dream, but Dawson encourages him to run for the job. After careful consideration, Casey agrees. Looks like it’s time to vote (seriously people, register)!

The Battle of the Badges has finally arrived. CPD and CFD alike are all in agreement that Antonio will destroy Jimmy. Herrmann has an excellent strategy for Jimmy to win, and it keeps Jimmy alive in the ring. That only holds for about thirty seconds. Jimmy’s one punch angers Antonio and he destroys Jimmy quickly. Well, it is more about the charity than it is about the outcome. At least that’s what Jimmy will be telling himself for some time to come.

Everytime it seems that Chili has turned a corner and is ready to seek help, something else happens to throw her off. If anything should have woke her up it was last week’s shooting that she survived. Unfortunately, upon receiving her sister’s personal effects, Chili can’t help but backslide. At first it seems like she’s okay. Boden reminds her that she is out of second chances, so she has to make this one count. It’s not as if Chili’s behavior has been discreet, but Halstead is a little late to the party in terms of realizing how serious things have become. He gets the message when he thinks he sees Chili drinking on the job.

Severide forces Chili to tell Boden the truth. She tries to convince Boden to give her the time off she needs to get help, but her time as a paramedic at Firehouse 51 is over. Boden has no choice but to fire Chili. We’ve seen the house in crisis, we’ve seen the house devastated, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen them shocked like this. Herrmann and Boden make it clear to Chili that she will always have a home at 51. The hardest part is making the decision, and sticking to it. Chili doesn’t know what lies ahead, but she knows she doesn’t want to go backwards. She calls Severide, who takes her to rehab and gives her his full support.

Do you think Chili will ever come back to Firehouse 51?