For thirteen years, the likes of Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), and the rest of the crew at the fictional Firehouse 51 have been blessed NBC with endless, blazing entertainment. However, judging by the critical reception to the current season, it is clear to see that the general opinion on the series is much stronger now than it used to be. This will, of course, has been the aim of the show’s creators, Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, with the chance to see one of their creations still growing from strength to strength, even thirteen years on, the dream of everyone in the industry.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Chicago Fire’s currently airing thirteenth season has officially earned a remarkable 93% score from critics. This may only be from 15 reviews in total, but it still stands as a massive score that most of its procedural contemporaries and even previous seasons in its own series can boast. In fact, when compared to the show’s opening season score of 50% from critics, it’s clear that the upward trajectory in the series’ quality is a major contributor to its sustained success, which has seen it ingrained into the viewing habits of millions across the country.
Such an upward trend in quality has once again resulted in the green light given by NBC for Chicago Fire to continue. In fact, all three in the One Chicago franchise — including Chicago Med and Chicago P.D. — were renewed for new seasons, albeit with paid cuts announced for series regulars. Despite several veteran cast members exiting in recent memory, Chicago Fire has proven itself an undroppable and pivotal addition to NBC’s lineup, still averaging between 5 and 6 million viewers each episode in the most recent season. This total is remarkable similar to the average viewing figures for Season 1 of the show, despite the rise in streaming leaving most of its peers losing viewers by the millions.
What is Next in ‘Chicago Fire’?
Following the April 23, 2025, episode “Permanent Damage,” and its chaotic, explosive exploration of a fire from a decade prior, next week’s Season 13, Episode 20, “Cut Me Open,” looks like yet another stellar installment in the critically acclaimed season. With the season edging ever-closer to its finale, and with the promise of more to come in the 2025-26 NBC lineup, viewers can grab a snack, sit back, and indulge in the flaming action and emotional drama these final episodes are sure to offer. The official synopsis for the upcoming episode reads, “With the crew stretched thin, a performance efficiency expert evaluates Firehouse 51; Kidd and Severide bond with the mother of the baby they hope to adopt.” What might happen in the pending finale? That remains to be seen, but be sure to stay tuned to Collider for regular updates.
