The Shifting Sands of Firehouse 51: Showrunner Andrea Newman Unpacks Season 13’s Tumultuous Finale
The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire promises to be a crucible of emotion and consequence, leaving Firehouse 51 forever changed. As shocking reports of character departures circulate and a major plotline involving Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) comes to a head, showrunner Andrea Newman has offered crucial insights into the upcoming drama. She delved into Severide’s (Taylor Kinney) complex internal conflict regarding Pascal, the bittersweet nature of Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver’s (Jake Lockett) goodbyes, and crucially, offered a glimmer of hope for future returns, hinting that these exits might not be as permanent as they appear.
Fans have been on edge ever since news broke of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett’s planned departures, reportedly due to budgetary decisions. Both Ritter and Carver have carved out significant places in the Firehouse 51 family, making their potential absences a painful prospect. Added to this, the intense storyline surrounding Chief Pascal’s alleged involvement in an attempted murder has placed Severide in a difficult position, forcing him to confront his own loyalties and nagging doubts. Newman’s candid discussion provides much-needed context for the tumultuous events set to unfold.
Severide’s Nagging Doubts: An Ally’s Inner Turmoil
A central conflict in the Season 13 finale revolves around Kelly Severide’s unwavering, yet increasingly complicated, support for Chief Pascal. Pascal, accused of attempting to kill the man responsible for his wife’s death, finds himself in police custody, and Severide initially puts his job on the line to help clear the chief’s name. However, Newman reveals that this isn’t a straightforward act of loyalty.
“There’s a lot of mysteries that need to be solved and cards turned over to get this done, and I think Severide is a man on a mission to help Pascal,” Newman previews. “But he can’t help but have this nagging feeling that maybe he’s helping somebody who he shouldn’t be helping.”
This internal struggle for Severide adds a profound layer of depth to the finale. He’s a character known for his strong moral compass, but his bond with Pascal, forged partly over the shared trauma of losing a loved one (Pascal’s late wife Monica was “his Achilles’ heel,” Newman notes), makes this decision agonizing. Severide will be forced to question whether Pascal is truly innocent or if he’s capable of crossing lines in the name of vengeance. This conflict promises to be a gripping emotional core of the episode, pushing Severide to confront uncomfortable truths.
Bittersweet Farewells: Ritter and Carver’s Departure Details
The looming exits of Darren Ritter and Sam Carver have been a major source of anxiety for the Chicago Fire fanbase. While Newman doesn’t give away specific plot details on how they will leave, she confirms their non-regular status for Season 14 and addresses the emotional weight of their goodbyes.
“There’s still so much to be figured out with those two and those characters,” Newman states. “We love the actors, we love the characters, and we want to give them some good, surprising moments and goodbyes.” This suggests that their exits won’t necessarily be abrupt or devoid of emotional impact, hinting at storylines that allow fans to say a proper, albeit painful, farewell.
Newman also clarifies the reason behind these significant changes, aligning with earlier reports: “There weren’t a lot of creative decisions behind it, because it all became this, like, axe falling across the network.” This confirms that the departures are primarily driven by budgetary factors rather than a narrative decision to end their character arcs. This distinction is crucial for fans, as it implies that the characters weren’t written out due to a lack of story potential, but rather due to external constraints.
The Glimmer of Hope: “Maybes Hellos Later Down the Line”
Perhaps the most comforting revelation from Newman for a fanbase bracing for loss is the possibility of future returns. When discussing Ritter and Carver, she explicitly states, “and then maybe hellos later down the line.” She elaborates further: “Our characters have always — and this is the luxury of 13 seasons — but a bunch of them have come and gone and come back.”
This is a significant lifeline for fans who can’t imagine Firehouse 51 without these beloved firefighters. Chicago Fire has a proven track record of bringing back past characters, whether for guest appearances, multi-episode arcs, or even full returns (like Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey). The fact that the departures are largely budget-driven rather than storyline-driven strengthens the likelihood of these characters reappearing if circumstances allow. It suggests that while their presence as series regulars might be paused, their stories within the One Chicago universe are far from definitively over.
The Future of Firehouse 51: Adapting to Change
The shake-up at Firehouse 51, with the potential departure of its Chief and two prominent firefighters, means Season 14 will undoubtedly see new faces and shifting dynamics. Newman acknowledges this reality: “There’s always fun in bringing somebody new in, as well, and you have to shake these things up.” She cites Chief Pascal himself as an example of how a new character can “turn everybody spinning” and bring fresh energy.
While change can be unsettling, Chicago Fire has consistently proven its ability to introduce compelling new characters and evolve its ensemble. The gaps left by Ritter and Carver will likely be filled, leading to new interactions, new challenges, and a renewed sense of possibility for the firehouse. The ongoing storyline with Herrmann (David Eigenberg) preparing for the Chief’s test also adds a layer of uncertainty and excitement about who will ultimately lead Firehouse 51 into its next chapter.
Conclusion: An Emotional Finale with Seeds of Future Possibilities
The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale is set to be an emotional rollercoaster, as Chief Pascal’s fate hangs in the balance and Firehouse 51 bids farewell to Ritter and Carver. Showrunner Andrea Newman’s insights reveal the complex internal conflict of Severide, the bittersweet nature of the departures, and the pragmatic reasons behind them. Crucially, her optimistic stance on future returns offers a much-needed glimmer of hope for fans. While Firehouse 51 will undoubtedly undergo significant changes in Season 14, the show’s history of character ebb and flow, combined with Newman’s positive outlook, suggests that these goodbyes might just be temporary, leaving the door open for beloved faces to return “later down the line.”
