Delayed heartbreak, shaky exits, and one major baby bombshell
As Chicago Fire wrapped up its 13th season with the emotionally charged episode “It Had to End This Way,” fans were met with a finale that was equal parts exciting, frustrating, and uncertain. The episode leaned heavily into Firehouse 51’s signature camaraderie and drama, but not every storyline delivered with the same impact.
🔥 A Finale Fueled by Relationships
At its core, the finale is all about relationships—romantic, professional, and familial. That focus isn’t a surprise. What is surprising, though, is how uneven the execution feels at times.
The spotlight moment was, without a doubt, the shocking reveal that Stella Kidd is pregnant. While fans have seen variations of this storyline play out across the One Chicago universe, this twist does mark a significant evolution for Stellaride. Their journey has been anything but smooth, so seeing them face this new chapter is genuinely intriguing.
However, Kidd’s initial hesitations about motherhood—rooted in her own traumatic upbringing—were not adequately addressed. The show skips over her change of heart, which feels like a missed opportunity for deeper storytelling. Hopefully, Season 14 doesn’t gloss over these concerns and instead leans into the emotional complexities of impending parenthood.
💔 Where Are Ritter & Carver’s Goodbyes?
The biggest misstep of the finale? Failing to address the departures of Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett).
While it was publicly confirmed ahead of time that both actors would be exiting the series, the episode gives them no real sendoff. Carver’s brief mention of transferring to Denver is half-hearted and unconvincing, especially given the support system he’s built at Firehouse 51. As for Ritter—there’s nothing. Not even a line of dialogue to suggest his story is ending.
That leaves Season 14 with a heavy burden: making their absences make sense. Waiting only worsens the situation, especially for a character like Ritter, who holds vital representation as both queer and Black on the show.
🧯 Firehouse Leadership in Flux
One of the finale’s most emotionally resonant moments came during a simple yet powerful conversation: Christopher Herrmann choosing to step aside so that Mouch could stay at 51. That single act of sacrifice was vintage Chicago Fire—heartfelt, selfless, and deeply character-driven.
But while Herrmann’s decision provides a boost to Pascal’s credibility, it’s hard to buy into the rapid push to make Pascal and Severide the new power duo. Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal still feels like an outsider. If the show wants to keep him in a prominent leadership role next season, it needs to put in the work to organically integrate him into the team dynamic. As of now, fans are likely still rooting for tried-and-true veterans like Mouch and Herrmann to rise up instead.
Final Verdict: 🚒
Exciting character moments are overshadowed by glaring omissions.
The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale has its highs—Stellaride’s pregnancy reveal, Herrmann’s heartfelt sacrifice—but it’s dragged down by awkwardly handled exits and rushed setups. While there’s reason to be optimistic about what’s ahead for Firehouse 51, there’s also real concern: Can the show balance legacy characters with new dynamics while honoring those it’s pushing out the door?
One thing’s for sure—Season 14 has a lot of emotional fire to put out.
