5 Things To Remember Before Chicago Fire Season 13 Winter 2025 Return
After Chief Wallace Boden’s exit last year, season 13 of Chicago Fire has been a whirlwind for Firehouse 51. The crew has been adjusting to their new leader, Dermot Mulroney’s Chief Dom Pascal, who many firefighters have questions about, especially due to his reputation in Miami. Randall “Mouch” McHolland and Christopher Herrmann are longtime Chicago Fire characters who intend to elevate their positions to challenge themselves. Sam Carver was challenged after paramedic Violet Mikami initially chose to end their relationship.
Firehouse 51’s other paramedic, Lizzie Novak, reveals her emotional side during calls and references to her past and family history that could affect her job. Joe Cruz’s past also comes back to haunt him when a man seeks vengeance against him for not saving his cousin during a fire years ago. This season of the One Chicago show involved several characters trying to certify their place at Firehouse 51 after Boden’s departure, and others going through personal turmoil. As such, there are a few key storylines to remember before season 13 returns in 2025.
1. Cruz Is Haunted By An Old Case
Joe Cruz Has Been Relatively Quiet In Season 13 Compared To Other Characters
Joe Cruz was under the radar in season 13 of Chicago Fire, although he did question the complex bond between Kelly Severide and his half-brother Jack Damon during the start of the season. However, episode 8 left viewers with a cliffhanger after Cruz discovers he is being taunted by a man who leaves bullet casings in the firehouse and blames him for the death of a gang leader who died in a fire back in season one.
This is a personal dilemma for Cruz, who has to deal with the family of criminals responsible for placing Cruz’s brother in that life years ago.
This storyline will be significant in the second half of season 13 because this is a personal dilemma for Cruz, who has to deal with the family of criminals responsible for placing Cruz’s brother in that life years ago. This conflict may also impact Cruz’s wife and son, putting the firefighter in a high-stakes situation that negatively affects his work and family.
2. Novak’s Tragic Past Has Started To Unravel
Novak Shows Her Vulnerability A Little More This Season
Lizzie Novak is an outgoing and energetic character, which has helped during her evolving partnership with Violet. However, the fall finale hinted at Novak’s seemingly sad and troubled past when she appears to look at a photo of her family at the start of episode 8. Later on, when Violet and Novak save a man after he attempts to take his own life, Novak responds by asking the man, “Why did you do that?”
The paramedic’s emotional response hints at an emotional childhood. This revelatory episode for Novak is a major part of building up Novak’s character by starting to explore the troubles she has gone through, perhaps before and after becoming a paramedic. The second half of season 13 may provide answers regarding Novak’s family and past to bring her story full circle and overcome her demons.
3. Carver & Violet’s Relationship Has Become Way More Complicated
Carver Is Uncertain About Himself After Violet Split
After Carver and Violet split, Carver’s demeanor radically changed at the firehouse once he started dating Tori, his high school girlfriend. Carver would show up late to work, leaving his boss, Stella Kidd, infuriated, and he dislikes it when Tori questions and interferes with his commitment to his unit. After Tori leaves him, Carver has regained his footing, but there’s still the question of whether he still has feelings for Violet. Regardless, going after Violet will be challenging now that she’s seeing Flynn, a man who helps her with an injured food vendor during a call.
The latter part of season 13 will continue to analyze Carver’s character and how he balances his work and personal life.
Carver’s change in mood and uncertainty in his relationship status shows that he is a complex character to read. However, he’s also resilient enough to prove himself as a dedicated and hard-working firefighter. The latter part of season 13 will continue to analyze Carver’s character and how he balances his work and personal life. He may have a chance to get back with Violet, but that all depends on their intentions and if they feel committed to supporting each other in a relationship without negatively affecting their work.
4. Herrmann & Mouch Are Gunning For Promotions
The Veterans At Firehouse 51 Want To Tackle More Leadership Roles
Chicago Fire’s Christopher Herrmann and Mouch are two Firehouse 51 veterans who were deeply impacted by the departure of Chief Boden due to their tremendous bond. Now, with Boden gone, Herrmann and Mouch have questioned each other and wonder what their future will look like in the firehouse. To push themselves and allow each other to prove they can boost their status in the firehouse, Herrmann decides to take the captain exam, while Mouch goes for the lieutenant exam.
Herrmann and Mouch’s commitment to elevating their positions as firefighters proves that both men have a lot left in the tank and retirement is far from their minds. However, if Herrmann and Mouch were to become captain and lieutenant, respectively, would their work continue in Firehouse 51? Mouch could take over Herrmann’s current lieutenant position, but Herrmann’s case is trickier since Pascal is currently the captain of Firehouse 51. These decisions will linger through the end of season 13 to see who stays and who goes.
5. Severide & Pascal Have Developed A Surprising Rapport At Work
Severide Is Warming Up To The New Captain
Everyone at Firehouse 51 can’t imagine a place without Chief Boden, especially Kelly Severide, who was missing from the Chicago Fire season 13 fall finale, and Stella, as both consider him an inspiring leader and mentor. When Dom Pascal first arrives at Firehouse 51, nearly everyone finds him very stern and robust. He’s also strictly critical of everyone’s work ethic. However, despite a questionable reaction towards Pascal, Severide has slowly warmed up to him, particularly after the two investigate a fire and take down a corrupt cop involved with a case of ghost guns.This newfound partnership also shows that Severide and Pascal are very much alike as two tough and intelligent firefighters who are fearless when tackling dangerous crimes of arson.
The case surrounding the bad cop gave Severide and Pascal a chance to prove they could work together and become partners. Severide even shares a cigar with Pascal, a kind gesture he would share with Boden and Matt Casey in the past after a hard day’s work. This newfound partnership also shows that Severide and Pascal are very much alike as two tough and intelligent firefighters who are fearless when tackling dangerous crimes of arson. If Herrmann were to become captain in Chicago Fire, Pascal and Severide could work on more cases together in the future.
