The latest episode of Chicago Fire may have left you perplexed about how the NBC drama plans to write out two of its best first responders, but never fear, TVLine is here with some ideas!
It was reported earlier this month by our sister site Deadline that Jake Lockett (aka firefighter Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (aka firefighter Darren Ritter) will not return to the show next season as “part of an effort to trim the budget” of the long-running series (which has not yet been renewed for Season 14, but is “a sure thing” on TVLine’s Renewal Scorecard).
But rather than setting the groundwork for the characters’ imminent departures, Fire’s most recent installment only seems to integrate them even more into the story as Carver helped former lover Violet track down a fake paramedic, allowing for the pair to connect and mend some bridges. If Carver wasn’t leaving the show, we would put money on these small steps leading to a romantic reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Ritter agreed to let Novak move in with him, making him roommates with a character who is, presumably, sticking around.
But alas, Lockett and Kyri will be bidding adieu to the series, even if it’s not quite clear yet under what circumstances their alter egos will depart. So TVLine put on its thinking hat and came up with some potential exit storylines for the firefighters that range from hopeful to tragic.
The Romantic Ending
We’re still bummed that Ritter’s romance with his cop boyfriend Dwayne didn’t work out, so we’d love to see the two reunite. But in a surprise twist, Dwayne announces that he got a detective job in another state, so the couple pack up and move to live out their lives happily ever after. Because as we’ve learned from Casey and Brett, long-distance relationships do not work on this show.
The Homecoming After an emotionally heavy season, Carver realized that there’s too many demons for him in Chicago, the city where his addiction issues peaked, and that it’s too difficult to be around Violet but not be with her while he’s focusing on his sobriety. Thus, the firefighter makes the tough decision to return to Texas and confronts the root of his problems in order to try to finally heal the family trauma that has haunted him. And judging by how troubled Carver was after he came back from furlough in Texas earlier this season, there’s plenty of unresolved issues for him back home!
The Hero Ending
During a harrowing rescue call, Carver or Ritter makes a dramatic save, but is so severely injured in the process that he can’t return to the job that he loves. While it’s a sad twist, no one dies, leaving the door open for a return appearance, and the character gets to exit the series as a hero.
The Professionally Ambitious Ending
Inspired by how his mentors Herrmann and Mouch are making moves up the firehouse ladder, Ritter decides that he, too, has grander ambitions and is ready for a major career change. Taking a big step in a new direction, he signs up to fight fires alongside former 51 Captain Matt Casey in Portland, where he can have a fresh beginning, professionally and personally. And if NBC wants to use this as an opportunity to finally give us a Portland Fire spinoff, we’re not going to complain.
The Tragic Ending
We hate to even suggest it, and we certainly do not want it to happen, but… Carver gets drunk on the job (or off it), leading to a horrific accident that costs him his life. It’s not implausible for the firefighter to relapse (again), especially given how tenuous and fraught with pitfalls his sobriety is during these early stages. But would the show put poor Violet through another tragic loss after her boyfriend Hawkins died in Season 11? We hope not!
