With 13 seasons under Chicago Fire’s belt (and heading towards its 14th), starting the series may be intimidating for some. However, the good news is that they only need to watch 10 episodes to stay up to date with the current timeline of the One Chicago universe. New fans could also check out all 13 seasons and 274 episodes ahead of the season 14 premiere to fully understand the NBC procedural drama show’s inner workings and dynamics, but that’s not necessary, given how much Chicago Fire has changed over the years.
Throughout Chicago Fire’s 13 seasons, the cast makeup and overall plot have been drastically altered. The series isn’t the same as it was when it first premiered in October 2012. Now, Chicago Fire is going on 14 seasons and has spawned two successful spinoffs that have also reached double-digit seasons (and one failed offshoot that NBC canceled after only one season, but we don’t talk about that). It certainly wouldn’t hurt to go back to the beginning — at least, for a little bit — during one’s first watch of Chicago Fire, though.
10
Chicago Fire Season 1, Episode 1
“Pilot”
It would be difficult to jump into Chicago Fire without understanding its roots, which is why it would be beneficial to watch the pilot episode, appropriately titled “Pilot.” Chicago Fire season 1, episode 1, will give new viewers the lay of the land and even introduce them to a handful of faces that are still around to this day (Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide, David Eigenberg’s Christopher Herrmann, Joe Miñoso’s Joe Cruz, and Christian Stolte’s Randy “Mouch” McHolland). Unfortunately, everyone else has since left the show. However, that’s the nature of a series with 10-plus seasons.
During the pilot, viewers get their first look at Firehouse 51. The fire station serves as the home base for the firefighters and paramedics who make up the Chicago Fire cast, and it’s one of the show’s mainstays. Without Firehouse 51, Chicago Fire would be nothing, and it’s arguably the most important aspect of the popular NBC series.
9
Chicago Fire Season 10, Episode 22
“The Magnificent City of Chicago”
Since the majority of today’s cast didn’t enter the scene until later on in the series, new fans can jump ahead to Chicago Fire season 10, episode 22, after watching the pilot. Missing almost 10 seasons of episodes might seem dramatic. But, trust me, none of it is all that important to the show’s plot heading into season 14. One very significant event transpires in “The Magnificent City of Chicago,” though, and it’s a huge part of the main couple’s (who still have a major presence in Chicago Fire) story.
Severide, who has been around since the pilot, and his longtime love interest, Stella Kidd, gets married in the Chicago Fire season 10 finale. Kidd joined Firehouse 51 in season 4, marking the start of her and Severide’s on-and-off relationship. Their journey was tumultuous, to say the least. It was still all worth it once they made it to the end of the aisle. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Chicago Fire wedding if Severide and Kidd didn’t run into some hiccups on their big day, but fans will have to watch the episode to learn more.
8
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 13
“Never Say Goodbye”
After season 10’s last episode, viewers can skip ahead to the season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye.” Sadly, Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden leaves Chicago Fire after this episode, which is arguably the show’s biggest exit. Boden had been the chief of Firehouse 51 since the beginning. So, his departure wasn’t only a huge pill to swallow for the characters, but also for the audience, who had loved Boden for many seasons. People always come and go from Firehouse 51, though, and it was time for Boden to depart, paving the way for a new chief.
7
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 1
“A Monster in the Field”
After Boden’s exit in the season 12 finale, Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal replaces him in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere. Chief Pascal is nothing like Boden, and his style of leading certainly differs from his predecessor’s methods. Consequently, it’s tough for the other firefighters and paramedics to adjust to Pascal in “A Monster in the Field.”
Their romance is arguably one of the show’s most important stories as of late, and “A Monster in the Field” is essential viewing to understand Violet and Carver as a couple.
Pascal’s introduction isn’t the only important aspect of Chicago Fire season 13, episode 1. The premiere also continues Violet Mikami and Sam Carver’s complicated love story that new fans should’ve gotten a taste of when watching the season 12 finale. Their romance is arguably one of the show’s most important stories as of late, and “A Monster in the Field” is essential viewing to understand Violet and Carver as a couple.
6
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8
“Quicksand”
If new fans want to, they can check out every episode in Chicago Fire season 13 ahead of the season 14 premiere. However, many of them serve as filler and aren’t all that important to the show’s central story. So, we can jump ahead to the midseason finale, “Quicksand.”
One of Chicago Fire season 13’s central stories features Herrmann and Mouch’s attempts to further their careers in the Chicago Fire Department. Boden originally chose Herrmann as his successor, but the veteran firefighter had to pass tests to qualify for the position. Meanwhile, Mouch wanted to become a lieutenant. In episode 8, the two men take their respective tests. Elsewhere during the hour, the audience learns more about Pascal’s past, Darren Ritter’s relationship with his boyfriend, and gets a tease concerning Lizze Novak’s mysterious history.
5
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 11
“In the Trenches: Part I”
Okay, having Chicago Fire season 13, episode 11 on this list might be a bit of a cheat since it serves as the beginning of the 2025 One Chicago crossover. So, one will likely also have to watch Chicago Med season 10, episode 11, and Chicago PD season 12, episode 11 to complete the story. But it’s important to be cognizant of the dynamics between all three shows in the One Chicago universe (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med), and the hope is that season 14 will feature another crossover.
4
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 15
“Too Close”
Following the crossover, new fans can check out Chicago Fire season 13, episode 15. The poignant hour features a significant tragedy that will forever change one important character’s arc for the rest of the season (and likely the rest of their time on the NBC procedural drama). I won’t say much else to avoid spoilers. But, trust me, “Too Close” is an imperative watch to grasp one character’s story.
3
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 16
“In the Rubble”
In a similar vein to episode 15, “In the Rubble” is essential for one major Chicago Fire season 13 character’s development. The aftermath of the previous hour’s tragedy unravels in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 16. However, it also addresses a couple of other characters’ stories. The episode furthers Violet and Carver’s romance (even though he doesn’t appear), and it shows how one firefighter makes his way back to Firehouse 51.
2
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 20
“Cut Me Open”
Like the season 10 finale, “Cut Me Open” is essential viewing for Severide and Kidd’s Chicago Fire story. The couple wanted to expand their family in season 13. In episode 20, they learn that a woman about to give birth is putting up her baby for adoption, and Severide and Kidd are recommended to be the ones to adopt the baby. However, things don’t exactly go perfectly when they arrive at the hospital. Meanwhile, an auditor comes to Firehouse 51, and their presence should set up an exit or two in the season 14 premiere.
1
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 22
“It Had to End This Way”
Of course, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale is probably the most important episode for fresh fans to watch ahead of season 14. The hour closes off a couple of old storylines, while also opening the door for new ones that will carry over into season 14. So, recent viewers wouldn’t understand what’s going on in the upcoming season if they hadn’t watched “It Had to End This Way.”
For starters, Pascal’s season-long storyline comes to an end in the finale (for better or for worse). Elsewhere, Violet and Carver’s will-they/won’t-they romance comes to a head, Severide and Kidd receive exciting news, and Herrmann makes a big decision. Ultimately, everything that transpires in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 22 should come into play when season 14 premieres.
