Chicago Fire: Severide’s Family Reunion and Dawson’s Dilemma

Severide’s Family Reunion: A Recipe for Disaster?

Chicago Fire recently stirred up some family drama by bringing Severide’s mother, Jennifer Sheridan (played by guest star Kim Delaney), back to Chicago for a visit. Jennifer is the polar opposite of her ex-husband Benny (guest star Treat Williams), which leaves us wondering where this reunion is headed. Our guess? Nowhere good. Thankfully, Severide has more than enough fires (both literal and figurative) to extinguish without getting caught in the crossfire between his divorced parents.

Otis: The Unsung Hero of Firehouse 51

While undergoing physical therapy, Otis has taken on a desk job at Firehouse 51. Although he’d rather be in the thick of the action, there’s value in every role. When the team rescues a young boy from a swimming pool but can’t get him to speak, Otis steps in. However, he unknowingly hands the child over to the non-custodial parent. The mother is furious, and the Chicago Fire Department is willing to write her a check to keep her happy. But Otis saves the day by personally apologizing to the woman, only to discover that she and her husband are happily married scam artists trying to defraud the Fire Department. Otis proves that heroism doesn’t always require running into a burning building.

Dawson’s Dilemma: The Truth About Cordova

Dawson continues to hide her past involvement with Cordova from her husband, Casey. Assuming that Cordova will eventually leave due to his history of burning bridges, Dawson believes she won’t need to reveal anything to Casey. However, as people begin to warm up to Cordova, Dawson misses her chance to come clean. Instead, Casey learns about his wife’s former flame from a fellow firefighter. While Casey isn’t bothered by Gabby’s past, her dishonesty is another story. As long as everyone remains professional, there shouldn’t be any issues.

Building Boundaries: Dawson’s Struggle with Work-Life Balance

The Cordova situation prompts Dawson to consider establishing boundaries between her work and personal life. A few private sector paramedics boast about their jobs, but they don’t pick up patients without insurance. They also don’t face the same dangers as Dawson and Brett, who deal with drive-by shootings and other hazards. Dawson would rather face some drama than sell out. However, her pattern of keeping secrets from her husband raises concerns. Can she keep her promise never to do it again?

Severide’s Past: A Glimpse into His Family History

To provide some context, Severide’s parents divorced when he was in high school due to Benny’s infidelity. Jennifer struggled during that time, and Kelly Severide moved in with his friend April’s (from Chicago Med) family. Benny occasionally visits, but Jennifer moved to St. Paul and became more involved with the church. She returns to Chicago for a few weeks to establish a new church, with seeing her son as an added bonus. However, Jennifer immediately dislikes Stella, though the two eventually get along once Stella relaxes. Surprisingly, Jennifer and Benny also get along, much to Kelly’s shock. While many children might hope for their parents to reconcile, Kelly Severide doesn’t seem to be one of them. Or perhaps his expression is simply horror at seeing his parents emerge from his bedroom.

Unanswered Questions: What’s Next for the Severide Family and Dawson?

Is the reunion between Jennifer and Benny a disaster waiting to happen? Can Dawson keep her promise to her husband? Only time will tell as we continue to follow the gripping storylines of Chicago Fire.