Chicago Fire Review: Hide, Deny, and Confront

This week’s episode of Chicago Fire pressed alot of emotional buttons, particularly for Kelly Severide. The firehouse has always been a place of refuge for firefighters and visitors alike, but Severide couldn’t protect a young friend from the emotional pain that not even a firefighter can dodge.

Cruz makes a dangerous move on a call which endangers his life, a fire victim’s life, and the entire squad. He is immediately reprimanded by both Severide and Boden for the risk he took, not to mention his complete break with protocol. Cruz knows he made a mistake, and that it’s not his first. He should absolutely not start making a routine out of breaking procedure, but Stella makes a good point that we make the best decision we can in the moment when a life is at stake. The job is alot more gray than it is black and white.

Otis organizes a work trip for the house to Las Vegas, mostly as a distraction from his health problems. Brett finds out that Otis never actually got his blood drawn to confirm a diagnosis. Otis adamantly tells Brett he doesn’t want to know if he is sick or not.

Agent Holloway once again leaves her son JJ in Firehouse 51’s care so that she can testify in a prominent trial. JJ spends the day interviewing the firefighters for a school project. Severide hopes that the project will distract JJ so that he doesn’t ask too many questions about where his mother is. Unfortunately Holloway is shot before she can testify and doesn’t survive her wounds. Severide has to wait until JJ’s aunt arrives to tell him about his mother, so he gives JJ one last good memory. Severide and JJ go up the truck ladder to take in the city, as JJ comments on his excitement at telling his mother about his day. When JJ does finally learn about his mom’s death, he walks tall and brave. Severide decides to give JJ the house dog, Pouch, so that JJ will know he is being taken care of. Truly this day was one of Kelly Severide’s defining moments.

Casey and Dawson meet with Susan Weller, a political strategist who wants to groom Casey for a larger political future than alderman. Casey doesn’t outwardly show it, but he likes what he hears, despite the fact that Dawson is suspicious. Casey receives an anonymous bribe which he doesn’t get around to turning in for a few days due to shift schedule. With his position as alderman at risk Casey’s best chance is Susan. She tells him that his former opponent is setting him up. She not only makes the problem go away, she gets the money to be used as a donation to a charity. Whatever magic she worked impresses Casey. Maybe the Lieutenant has more of an interest in politics than he originally thought.

With only a few more episodes until the season finale, will Otis work up the courage to find out the truth about his health? Would Casey really leave being a firefighter behind for a full-time career in politics?