The Reckless Pursuit of Truth: Severide’s Career Hangs in the Balance in the ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13 Finale
The highly anticipated Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire, ominously titled “It Had to End This Way,” promises to be a pivotal episode for Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). As the dramatic season draws to a close, showrunner Andrea Newman has revealed that Severide will find himself in a precarious position, willing to “put his job on the line” to help the embattled Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). This bold move underscores Severide’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even when it means potentially jeopardizing his own storied career at Firehouse 51.
For much of Season 13, the relationship between Severide and Pascal has been a slow-burning fuse. What began as a seemingly professional bond, even one of mentorship, has steadily eroded as Severide’s keen instincts have led him to question Pascal’s true involvement in suspicious activities, particularly those related to the death of Pascal’s wife, Monica. The finale is set to bring this complex dynamic to a head, forcing Severide to make difficult choices with potentially career-altering consequences.
The Looming Crisis: Pascal Under Investigation
The penultimate episode of Season 13 saw Chief Pascal perp-walked out of Firehouse 51 and taken into police custody, facing mounting evidence that he was responsible for the attempted murder of Robert Franklin, the man believed to have killed Pascal’s wife, Monica, in a car accident. This shocking development sets the stage for Severide’s ultimate test of loyalty and his pursuit of what he believes is right.
Despite the damning evidence, Severide, ever the intuitive investigator, harbors a deep-seated doubt. Showrunner Andrea Newman explained Severide’s internal conflict: “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. But he can’t help but have this nagging feeling that maybe he’s helping somebody who he shouldn’t be helping. Maybe he’s not going to get the answer he wants once he finally does turn over all those cards.”
This “nagging feeling” is crucial. It suggests that Severide isn’t simply acting out of blind loyalty. Instead, he’s driven by a need to uncover the full truth, even if that truth is uncomfortable or ultimately confirms his suspicions about Pascal’s guilt. This nuanced approach to Severide’s character highlights his commitment to justice, regardless of personal cost.
Why Severide Would Risk Everything: Relatability and Loyalty
Severide’s willingness to “put his job on the line” for Pascal is rooted in a complex understanding of the human condition and a certain degree of relatability. Newman elaborated on the peculiar bond that formed between them: “The beginning of that bond was the Bishop [Keith Kupferer] storyline, where both Kidd and Monica had been threatened – Severide and Pascal’s families – by Bishop, and then, Bishop’s garage was suddenly on fire. Pascal implied that he had done it. And Severide in that moment was looking at him like, ‘This guy’s a little shady, but also, I can relate to this guy. I can relate to the fact that he’d do anything for the people he loves.’ That’s a quality that Severide has, too.”
This explanation provides crucial context for Severide’s actions. He understands the profound rage and protective instincts that can drive someone to extreme measures when their loved ones are threatened. Having experienced his own battles with grief and the desire for retribution in the past, Severide can empathize with Pascal’s emotional state, even if he questions his methods. This shared understanding, however, doesn’t diminish the severity of the situation. As Newman put it, Monica was Pascal’s “Achilles heel,” hinting at the irrationality and dangerousness that can arise when emotions overpower judgment.
Furthermore, Severide’s history of seeking father figures, first with his own demanding father Benny (Treat Williams) and later with Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) and even Van Meter (Tim Hopper), plays a role. Newman suggested that Severide might be seeing a similar figure in Pascal, leading him to “do almost anything to help Pascal, even though Severide himself has questions.” This deep-seated psychological motivation adds another layer of complexity to Severide’s high-stakes decision.
The Consequences: Impact on Career and Relationships
Putting one’s job on the line in the CFD is no small matter. It can lead to suspension, dismissal, or severe disciplinary action. If Severide is found to be covering for Pascal, or if his actions are deemed insubordinate, his career could be severely damaged. This would have profound implications not only for him but also for Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), his wife, and their aspirations for starting a family.
The logline for the finale explicitly states, “Severide puts his job on the line to help out one of their own.” The “one of their own” here almost certainly refers to Pascal, as hinted by Newman’s comments. However, his actions could also indirectly affect others, potentially even his superior, Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker), or the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI) team, especially if he crosses boundaries in his pursuit of answers. Van Meter, the head of OFI, was already growing suspicious of Severide’s loyalty to Pascal.
The outcome of this storyline will “impact that relationship [between Severide and Pascal] forever going forward,” as Newman confirmed. This implies that even if Pascal is cleared, the trust between them will be irrevocably altered. If Pascal is found guilty, Severide will have to confront the uncomfortable truth that he risked his career for someone who might have betrayed his trust.
Beyond Severide: A Finale of Significant Changes
While Severide’s storyline is a major focus, the Season 13 finale promises “big endings” for other characters as well. Showrunner Andrea Newman has teased significant developments for Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), both of whom are reportedly making their exits. Whether these departures are temporary or permanent, and whether they are “explosive” or “emotionally centered,” remains to be seen.
Additionally, Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) is preparing to take the Chief test, a long-awaited career milestone that could directly impact Chief Pascal’s future at Firehouse 51. As Newman noted, “Somebody is going to have to go” for Herrmann to ascend to the leadership position he’s been striving for.
The convergence of these major plotlines—Severide’s career-risking investigation, the potential exits of Ritter and Carver, and Herrmann’s pursuit of the Chief’s role—ensures that the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale will be a high-stakes, emotionally charged event that fundamentally reshapes Firehouse 51.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Severide and Firehouse 51
The ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13 finale is poised to be a defining moment for Lieutenant Kelly Severide, as he takes a monumental risk and puts his career on the line to unravel the truth about Chief Dom Pascal. Showrunner Andrea Newman’s insights highlight Severide’s complex motivations – a blend of empathy, loyalty, and a nagging pursuit of justice – even when the answers might be painful. This high-stakes personal gamble, coupled with the “big endings” for departing characters and the leadership battle at Firehouse 51, ensures that “It Had to End This Way” will be an unforgettable conclusion to a season filled with drama and suspense. Fans should prepare for a powerful episode that will undoubtedly leave them eager for what Season 14 holds for the brave firefighters of Chicago.
